Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)
• Most STIs have no symptoms
• A person can have an STI and not know it
Why would you be at greater risk of getting an STI
that doesn't cause any symptoms?
How can someone
get an STI?
• Vaginal sex
• Anal sex
• Oral sex
• Transmission from mother to baby during childbirth
• Skin to Skin contact
• Sharing equipment
• Exchange of bodily fluids
There are
3 types of STIs
Bacterial
Parasitic
Viral
Bacterial STIs
Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Syphilis
Gonorrhea
• Sexually transmitted bacterial infection
• Passed along by having unprotected oral, anal
or vaginal sex
• Condoms can help prevent the spread of
gonorrhea during vaginal or anal sex
• Condoms or dental dams can be used for
protection during oral sex
Gonorrhea
• Most people have no symptoms
• The infection can be cured with antibiotics
• A person can get the infection again, so their
partners should also be tested
Remember gonorrhea is CURABLE!
Gonorrhea
STI Testing
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea
•Urine test for males and females
•If symptoms present, swabs may be done
Trichomoniasis
•Diagnosed by taking a sample of vaginal discharge
Syphilis
• Rare sexually transmitted bacterial infection
• Can cause serious damage to the body if not
cured, including death
• Passed along by having unprotected oral, anal or
vaginal sex
• Condoms can help prevent the spread of syphilis
during vaginal or anal sex
• Condoms or dental dams can be used for
protection during oral sex
Syphilis
• Syphilis produces a wide range of symptoms
that are often confused with other illnesses
• Some people have no symptoms at all
• The infection can be cured antibiotics
• A person can get the infection again, so their
partners should also be tested
Remember syphilis is CURABLE!
Syphilis
Parasitic STIs
Pubic lice
Scabies
Trichomoniasis
Pubic lice
The lice attach their eggs to the pubic hair and
feed on human blood
Trichomoniasis
Caused by a parasite that is usually sexually
transmitted, but it can survive 24 hours on wet
towels and bathing suits
Scabies
Caused by the itch mite. It burrows just under the skin
and lays eggs. The scabies mite can live for 2-4 days away
from the human body; it can be transmitted without
sexual contact.
How to prevent parasitic STIs
Trichomoniasis
•Condoms will help prevent the spread
Pubic lice and Scabies
•Avoid sharing towels and clothing that have not been
washed
•When trying on bathing suits or underwear in the
store always wear something underneath
Signs and symptoms of a parasitic STI
•Intense itchiness
•Reddish rash
•Pain during sex or urination
•Vaginal discharge
How are parasitic STIs treated?
•Shampoo – special shampoo to kill lice or scabies
•Lotion - special shampoo to kill lice or scabies
•Ointment- special shampoo to kill lice or scabies
•Antibiotic – used to treat trich
HIV and AIDS
• HIV is the initial infection
• AIDS is the advanced stage of the disease
• Over a period of time, the virus attacks and damages
the body’s immune and nervous system
How is HIV/AIDS spread?
• The virus is spread through bodily fluids
• Decrease risk with condom use
• There is no cure for HIV infection
• Once infected, you have HIV for life
STI Testing
Genital warts (HPV)
•Diagnosed by visual examination
Herpes
•Usually diagnosed by sight, and by history
•A swab of the lesion can be taken to confirm
virus
Hepatitis B, C, Syphilis and HIV
•Diagnosed by blood tests
Where can someone go for STI
testing and treatment?
Family Doctor/Nurse Practitioner
Walk-In Clinic
Health Unit – STI and Birth Control clinic
What is the only 100 % effective
way of preventing STIs and
pregnancy?
What does abstinence mean?
• Abstinence means to not do something
• Sexual abstinence means to abstain from
different levels of sexual activity
• Possible choices for sexual abstinence between
two people could be:
• Avoiding vaginal and anal intercourse
• Avoiding oral-genital contact
• Avoiding genital contact
