Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

What happened to "STD" ?

The term "Sexually Transmitted Disease" was replaced by "Sexually Transmitted Infection" because not all sexually transmitted infections have symptoms. (An Infection means that you may or may not notice any symptoms. A Disease means that you experience symptoms.)

How to know if you may have an infection...

Some people with an STI have few or no symptoms at all; others have very obvious symptoms. Be aware of any changes in your health, or symptoms such as:

different or heavier discharge from the vagina
discharge from the penis
a burning feeling when urinating (peeing)
sores, particularly in the genital or anal areas
itchy feeling around the sex organs or anus
appearance of a rash
swollen glands in the groin

These symptoms might appear alone, or in combination. Having a symptom doesn't mean you do have an STI but if you are having sex and taking chances, you should see a health professional for a check-up.

What are my chances of getting an STI?

You can get an STI from having sex with someone who is infected regardless of age, background, or sexual orientation. You have a chance of catching a sexually transmitted infection if:

you have unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex (without using a condom or if the condom breaks) with a person who may have an infection
your partner has, or has had, a sexually transmitted infection
you or your partner had or is having sex with others
you have sex under the influence of alcohol or drugs
you share needles or equipment for drugs, body piercing, tattoos, or sex toys or your partner does

If you have taken chances such as having sex without using a condom, please see a doctor or visit a public health clinic, and ask for an STI check-up. Your health is important, and so is the health of your partner. Remember that some STI's may not cause symptoms.

The only sure way to prevent a sexually transmitted infection is to avoid risky behaviour.

Healthy and safer choices:

abstinence
consider doing other things with your partner, like kissing, caressing and touching, instead of having intercourse
use a condom every time - it's the most important thing you can do
ask yourself, how many partners have I had this year? Am I taking chances?
IT TAKES TWO! The birth control pill prevents pregnancy, and the condom helps to prevent STI.
the riskiest way of having sex in terms of catching an STI is anal sex (for both males and females) - but you can get an STI from vaginal and oral sex as well
sharing needles or equipment for drugs, tattoos or body piercing greatly increases your risk of contracting a STI

STI FACTS

STIs or sexually transmitted infections can be spread in several ways.
STIs are usually spread through sex because the bacteria or viruses travel in semen, vaginal fluids, and blood. Saliva (or spit) can spread some STIs if you have a tiny cut in or around your mouth.
STIs can be spread through direct contact with an infected area.
Infected blood on needles and syringes can spread certain STIs.
Infected women can pass some STIs to their babies during pregnancy, at childbirth or during breastfeeding.
You can catch some STIs more than once. And, you can have more than one STI at a time.
If you are HIV positive and have another of the sexually transmitted infections, you increase your chances of GIVING HIV to your partner.
If you don't have HIV but have another sexually transmitted infection, you increase your chances of GETTING HIV from an HIV positive partner.
Many STIs are easily treated, but all can be dangerous if ignored.
To reduce the possibility of spreading STIs or re-infection, sexually activity should be postponed until treatment has been completed.
For some STIs, like HIV, there is no cure to date.

Contracting an STI is not necessarily a life sentence...

Frequently there is stigma attached to the diagnosis of an STI. People can feel as though they have been marked as dirty, sick, or damaged. They are embarrassed and immediately want to know if the infection is treatable. The truth is many STIs, when diagnosed, can be treated or managed and life can continue either as it was before or very nearly with minor adjustments to routine or sexual habits.

Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea once diagnosed for example can easily be treated with a single dose of antibiotics. Herpes is not curable, but with healthy lifestyle choices such as eating well, not taking non-prescription drugs, and exercising the number of outbreaks and the extent of the outbreak can be greatly reduced.

No one wants an STI obviously so making informed and health conscious choices with regard to sexual practices, like always using a condom, can prevent the feelings of shame, embarrassment, and worry. However, if testing proves that an STI is present know that life does go on.

Information in this section was provided by Health Canada.


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Welcome Right to Education Vocabulary Puberty Fertility Conception & Development Birth Control Unplanned Pregnancies Infections & Disease Masturbation Sexual Orientation Healthy Relationships Body Image & Self Esteem Communication Resources	Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) What happened to "STD" ? The term "Sexually Transmitted Disease" was replaced by "Sexually Transmitted Infection" because not all sexually transmitted infections have symptoms. (An Infection means that you may or may not notice any symptoms. A Disease means that you experience symptoms.) How to know if you may have an infection... Some people with an STI have few or no symptoms at all; others have very obvious symptoms. Be aware of any changes in your health, or symptoms such as: different or heavier discharge from the vagina discharge from the penis a burning feeling when urinating (peeing) sores, particularly in the genital or anal areas itchy feeling around the sex organs or anus appearance of a rash swollen glands in the groin These symptoms might appear alone, or in combination. Having a symptom doesn't mean you do have an STI but if you are having sex and taking chances, you should see a health professional for a check-up. What are my chances of getting an STI? You can get an STI from having sex with someone who is infected regardless of age, background, or sexual orientation. You have a chance of catching a sexually transmitted infection if: you have unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex (without using a condom or if the condom breaks) with a person who may have an infection your partner has, or has had, a sexually transmitted infection you or your partner had or is having sex with others you have sex under the influence of alcohol or drugs you share needles or equipment for drugs, body piercing, tattoos, or sex toys or your partner does If you have taken chances such as having sex without using a condom, please see a doctor or visit a public health clinic, and ask for an STI check-up. Your health is important, and so is the health of your partner. Remember that some STI's may not cause symptoms. The only sure way to prevent a sexually transmitted infection is to avoid risky behaviour. Healthy and safer choices: abstinence consider doing other things with your partner, like kissing, caressing and touching, instead of having intercourse use a condom every time - it's the most important thing you can do ask yourself, how many partners have I had this year? Am I taking chances? IT TAKES TWO! The birth control pill prevents pregnancy, and the condom helps to prevent STI. the riskiest way of having sex in terms of catching an STI is anal sex (for both males and females) - but you can get an STI from vaginal and oral sex as well sharing needles or equipment for drugs, tattoos or body piercing greatly increases your risk of contracting a STI STI FACTS STIs or sexually transmitted infections can be spread in several ways. STIs are usually spread through sex because the bacteria or viruses travel in semen, vaginal fluids, and blood. Saliva (or spit) can spread some STIs if you have a tiny cut in or around your mouth. STIs can be spread through direct contact with an infected area. Infected blood on needles and syringes can spread certain STIs. Infected women can pass some STIs to their babies during pregnancy, at childbirth or during breastfeeding. You can catch some STIs more than once. And, you can have more than one STI at a time. If you are HIV positive and have another of the sexually transmitted infections, you increase your chances of GIVING HIV to your partner. If you don't have HIV but have another sexually transmitted infection, you increase your chances of GETTING HIV from an HIV positive partner. Many STIs are easily treated, but all can be dangerous if ignored. To reduce the possibility of spreading STIs or re-infection, sexually activity should be postponed until treatment has been completed. For some STIs, like HIV, there is no cure to date. Contracting an STI is not necessarily a life sentence... Frequently there is stigma attached to the diagnosis of an STI. People can feel as though they have been marked as dirty, sick, or damaged. They are embarrassed and immediately want to know if the infection is treatable. The truth is many STIs, when diagnosed, can be treated or managed and life can continue either as it was before or very nearly with minor adjustments to routine or sexual habits. Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea once diagnosed for example can easily be treated with a single dose of antibiotics. Herpes is not curable, but with healthy lifestyle choices such as eating well, not taking non-prescription drugs, and exercising the number of outbreaks and the extent of the outbreak can be greatly reduced. No one wants an STI obviously so making informed and health conscious choices with regard to sexual practices, like always using a condom, can prevent the feelings of shame, embarrassment, and worry. However, if testing proves that an STI is present know that life does go on. Information in this section was provided by Health Canada.
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	© 2006 Sexual Health Centre Saskatoon -- Updated December 6, 2008.

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