STIs and HIV/AIDS

Some STIs are merely irritating, others increase your risk of cancer and infertility and some such as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) can kill you.

And don’t think you can’t get STIs from oral sex, because you CAN! Always play it safe and use condoms. And if you are having anal sex, make sure you use a condom and water based lubricant.

With the number of people contracting an STI on the rise every year (especially among those under 25) it’s vital you get an STI check-up if you’ve had unprotected sex.

Following is a rundown on STIs to stay clear of...

AIDS and HIV

What Is it?

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus which damages the body's immune system. HIV can be passed on by having sex without a condom with someone who has HIV.

How do I get it?

HIV is passed on through bodily fluids and blood. This can happen through sex, injecting drugs or from mothers to their unborn children. AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) itself is a disease that usually occurs several years after getting HIV with a whole range of different symptoms.

How can I tell if I've got it?

You can't. The only way to tell if you have HIV is to have a blood test, which can be done confidentially.

What will clear it up?

At present there is no cure for HIV or AIDS but new combination therapies mean improved management of the illness.

Chlamydia

What is it?

This is the most common STI among young guys and girls in Australia. It's caused by a bacteria which, if left untreated, can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (a disease which infects your pelvic region and can lead to infertility in women and in men).

How do I get it?

You can get Chlamydia by having unprotected vaginal or anal sex with someone who is infected with the Chlamydia bacteria. While not as common, it can also be spread by oral sex.

How can I tell if I've got it?

In 15 - 20% of cases there will be symptoms five to ten days after infection (look for a discharge and pain). However, MOST people do not get any symptoms. The only way you can really tell if you have it is to be tested. A simple urine test or swab of the cervix, can easily be carried out at your local sexual health clinic or at a GPs. Wear a condom to avoid it!

What will clear it up?

Chlamydia is easily checked and easily treated. Antibiotics after a simple chlamydia test at a sexual health clinic should clear it up.

Click on the link to download the sextxt™ Chlamydia Information Sheet.

Gonorrhoea

What is it?

Gonorrhoea is a disease caused by a bacteria. The danger of this is, if left undiagnosed, it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.

How do I get it?

You can get Gonorrhoea by having unprotected vaginal sex with someone who is infected with the Gonorrhoea bacteria. It can also be transmitted during anal and oral sex.

How can I tell if I've got it?

In five out of every six cases, there are no symptoms. Symptoms to look for are a discharge and a burning sensation when going for a wee.

What will clear it up?

Antibiotics.

Genital warts (HPV)

What are they?

Genital warts are small fleshy lumps (like the warts you can get on your hands). They appear around your genitals and are caused by a virus called human papilloma virus (HPV).

How do I get them?

Genital warts are caused by different types of HPV (called ‘low risk’).HPV is spread through direct skin to skin contact with someone infected with HPV.This occurs most commonly through sexual contact. The virus can be passed on from person to person even if there are no visible warts. This is because it can live in the skin for many years and during that time can be passed on through sexual contact.

How can I tell if I've got them?

In both males and females, they commonly appear as skin coloured irregular growths on the inside and outside of the genitals . They can hurt, itch, bleed and will sometimes cause discomfort and even return after treatment. However, like many STIs, there are often no symptoms.

What will clear them up?

If you have been infected the good news is that in many cases the body's immune system will cause most warts to disappear without treatment after 6 months. Though large visible warts need to be treated. You will be given a special lotion to apply to the warts. If this doesn’t clear them up or they are in a tricky place, stronger lotions may be used. Occasionally, warts may be frozen or burned off and this is not usually painful.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

HPV is not one virus, it is a family containing dozens of virus types. There are around 15 types (called ‘high risk’) which can cause cervical cancer. In addition, there are a number of types which can cause genital warts.

Although genital warts can be visible, most people who have HPV (especially the ‘high risk’ types) will not have any signs or symptoms. This means that they can unknowingly pass on the virus to others.

Cancer of the cervix is serious and can be life threatening. Cervical cancer is the 8th most common cancer in Australian women.

When a woman is infected with certain ‘high risk’ types of HPV, in most cases, her own immune system will fight the virus, like a cold. However, if the virus stays in her system (called persistence), then it may start to cause changes in the cells of the cervix. These may eventually become more serious and develop into cancer.

A new HPV vaccine called Gardisil is now available.

What is Gardasil and what is it used for?

Gardasil is a vaccine that targets four strains of Human Papilloma Virus. These are called HPV-6, HPV-11, HPV-16 and HPV-18.

HPV-16 and HPV-18 (‘high risk’ types) account for about 70% of all cervical cancers

HPV-6 and HPV-11 (‘low risk’ types) account for about 90% of genital warts

The vaccine is also approved to help prevent vaginal and vulval cancers, which can also be caused by HPV.

Who can receive Gardasil?

The vaccine will be available for adolescent males 9 to 15 years and females 9-26 years of age.

Even if you have already been exposed to HPV, it is very unlikely you will have been infected with all the types that are in the vaccine. You will therefore still be able to benefit

from protection against the other types. There is no need to have an HPV test before having the vaccine.

However, since Gardasil cannot protect against all cervical cancers (only around 70%), it is important that women continue to have cervical smears.

How is Gardasil given?

Three doses of the vaccine by injection are required and it is important that all stages of treatment are completed.

• first dose – at the date of the first appointment
• second dose – two months after the first dose
• third dose – four months after the second dose

Gardasil ingredients

Aluminium (as amorphous aluminium hydroxyphosphate), Sodium chloride, L-histidine, Polysorbate 80, Borax, water.

How effective is Gardasil?

Studies suggest that Gardasil is:

• 100% effective in preventing cervical cancer caused by HPV types 16 and 18 (which account for around 70% of cervical cancers)

• 99% effective in preventing genital warts.

Where can I get it?

Marie Stopes International will be offering Gardasil from early 2007, alternatively talk to your GP or health care provider.

Click here to download the sextxt™ HPV and Gardasil Information Sheet.

Herpes

What is it and how do I get it?

There are two types of herpes which cause small, painful blisters. Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Type 1 which usually causes cold sores and HSV Type II which causes genital sores.

HSV Type I is usually located around the mouth and is passed by kissing.

HSV Type II is usually in the genital area and passed through sex.

How can I tell if I've got it?

Some people don’t notice symptoms but look for small, painful clusters of sores.

What will clear it up?

Once you have the herpes virus it will always remain in your body but it won't always be active. Not everyone experiences symptoms but for those that do, these may reoccur from time to time. However, there are a number of treatments available so make sure you visit your doctor or sexual health clinic.

How is it diagnosed?

A sample may be taken for testing or a doctor may know just by looking. Remember, herpes is highly infectious and during an outbreak you should avoid sex and kissing (if you have cold sores). Outbreaks are treated with medication.

Syphilis

What is it?

An infection caused by a bacteria which, left untreated, can have very serious consequences.

How do I get it?

You can get Syphilis through having unprotected vaginal or anal sex with someone who is infected with the bacteria.

How can I tell if I've got it?

A sore on your genitals, and a rash. If left untreated the symptoms become severe.

What will clear it up?

Syphilis can be cured with antibiotics.

Pubic Lice

What is it and how do I get it?

Also known as crabs, pubic lice are small insects that are spread through sex and intimate contact (bedding, towels etc).

How can I tell if I've got it?

You'll have severe itching throughout your pubic region.

What will clear it up?

Usually a doctor will be able to tell if you have pubic lice and will prescribe a lotion to kill them.

Trichomoniasis

What is it?

This is an infection which affects the vagina, cervix, urethra and bladder.

How do I get it?

It is transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person. There are usually no symptoms of infection.

How can I tell if I've got it?

Look for a greenish-yellow discharge with a strong and offensive smell, itching of the vagina and a burning when urinating. Guys have no symptoms.

What will clear it up?

A swab will be taken and antibacterial drugs prescribed.

Hepatitis B

What is it and how do I get it?

This is a serious condition that causes inflammation of the liver caused by a virus passed on through vaginal or anal intercourse.

How can I tell if I've got it?

Usually there are no symptoms but look for unusual tiredness.

What will clear it up?

There is no effective cure, but it some cases your body fights off the virus and the infection goes away.

If you have any questions about STIs that we haven't answered here, why not contact us or go to the Help and Advice page. Your call will be treated anonymously and in confidence.