STD Information
Chlamydia
What- Chlamydia is a sexually transmissible infection caused by bacteria. Many people who are infected do not have symptoms of infection but can still transmit the bacteria. Chlamydia can affect the urethra (tube that carries urine from bladder to outside), cervix (neck of the womb), anus, throat, and eyes. If untreated chlamydia can result in complications.
How it is contracted- It is spread by sexual contact through vaginal, anal or oral sex with an infected person. If a mother is infected, the baby can be infected as it is being born.
Symptoms-
Women- Cramps or pains in the lower abdomen, changes with her periods, pain when passing urine, bleeding or pain during or after sex, change in her vaginal discharge and/or possible infection of the anus
Men- Discharge from the penis, pain when passing urine, swollen and sore testicles, possible infection of the anus
How to prevent it- Using a condom can significantly lower the risk of transmission. Know your partners sexual history.
How to get rid of it- It is effectively treated by a single dose of antibiotics, your sexual partner(s) also need treatment so they don’t pass it back to you or on to anyone else. Untreated chlamydia can lead to infertility in both men and women.
Crabs/Pubic Lice
What- Crabs are tiny crab shaped lice that grip onto the pubic hair. They can also sometimes be found in chest hair, armpit hair, beards and eyelashes. They are different to head lice.
How it is contracted- By having close body contact, usually sexual, but it is also possible to catch it from sharing an infected persons bed, clothes or towels. They appear between three to five days after exposure.
Symptoms- Itching in the pubic hair
How to prevent it- Appropriate treatment and cleaning of all linen and clothes that may come into contact with the lice. Waxing is also a possible way to prevent crabs living in pubic hair.
How to get rid of it- Your doctor or pharmacist can recommend an appropriate lotion to use. Clothes and bed linen also needs to be washed thoroughly. Your partner also needs to undergo the same treatment at the same time to reduce the chance of reinfection.
Genital Warts / HPV
What- Genital warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV).
How it is contracted- They are transmitted from skin to skin sexual contact with an infected person. It can be passed on even when there are no visible symptoms.
Symptoms- Growth or lumps on the genitals, often painless.
Women- Sometimes inside the vagina or on the cervix, the women can be unaware of them. HPV is sometimes detected on a Pap smear. Even when no warts are visible, the microscopic changes show the virus is present.
Men- Warts are generally on the penis, and are usually more obvious. In both sexes, warts can appear in and around the anus.
How to prevent it- By using condoms, although the warts may be on an area that is not covered by a condom.
How to get rid of it- A doctor can remove genital warts by freezing, burning, laser or by applying a liquid wart paint or cream. If the warts are not treated they may multiply. They may reappear after treatment; sometimes several treatments are needed to get rid of them. For women genital warts may cause changes in the cervix, which can lead to pre-cancerous changes. Pap smears are a necessity to keep it under check.
Gonorrhoea
What- It is a type of bacteria that can infect the urethra in men and women, the anus, the cervix, and throat. It is also known as “the clap”.
How it is contracted- Through vaginal, anal and oral sex with an infected person without using a condom.
Symptoms- Burning and discharge during urination, abnormal discharge from the penis or vagina, dry, sore throat, lower abdomen pain in women.
How to prevent it- Using condoms will significantly lower the risk to transmission.
How to get rid of it- It is treated by a dose of antibiotics, both you and your partner need to undergo treatment so reinfection doesn’t occur. If it is left untreated it may lead to decreased fertility in both men and women.
Hepatitis A
What- Hepatitis A is a virus which causes inflammation of the liver
How it is contracted- Hepatitis A is found in faeces and is transmitted, even in very small amounts, when it comes into contact with another person’s mouth. It can also be contracted eating or drinking contaminated food or water, or by sharing a cigarette or other smoking equipment.
Symptoms- Symptoms can include flu-like illness, aches and pains, abdominal pain, darker urine, jaundice, loss of appetite. Some people may show no symptoms but can still pass the infection onto others.
How to prevent it- Use a condom, practice good personal hygiene such as washing hands after using the bathroom, after sex and before eating. You can also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A.
How to get rid of it- There is no cure for Hepatitis A. Vaccination is therefore extremely important.
Hepatitis B
What- Hepatitis B is a virus which causes inflammation of the liver.
How is it contracted- It is spread through bodily fluids, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, saliva. Vaginal, anal and oral sex, as well as sharing needles, syringes, drug injecting equipment, toothbrushes, razors and tattooing can spread hepatitis B.
Symptoms- They include mild flu-like illness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, aches and pains and jaundice. The symptoms don’t present in everyone with the infection.
How to prevent it- Get vaccinated against Hepatitis B, use condoms, don’t share toothbrushes, drug equipment or razors.
How to get rid of it- There is no cure for Hepatitis B, which is why vaccination is extremely important.
Herpes
What- Genital herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of herpes. HSV Type 1 is commonly called a cold sore and is usually found around the lips and mouth. HSV Type 2 is found around the genital and anal area. Both types can occur on either the lips/mouth or genital area. About one in five sexually active people in Australia are affected.
How it is contracted- It is contracted from skin to skin contact with an infected person. It can be passed even when there is no sore present. It can pass through vaginal, oral and anal 
sex, as well as through kissing. A cold sore can be spread to the genital area and a Type 2 sore can be passed to the mouth area.
Symptoms- Some people will experience painful, tingling or itching blisters or ulcers on the genitals, and they may display flu-like symptoms. Sometimes it is very hard to tell if a person has herpes.
How to prevent it- Sexual contact needs to be avoided from the first indication of an outbreak and for a week or so afterwards. Avoid kissing and oral sex, and do not let herpes come into contact 
with any one else. Condoms can be used during an outbreak, but they may not cover the entire affected area.
How to get rid of it- There is no cure for herpes, though pills are available to help treat it. It is thought the treatment of herpes is likely to reduce transmission. Pregnant women with herpes are at risk of spreading it to the unborn baby.
HIV and AIDS
What- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that causes damage to the body’s immune system. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) refers to a range of specific illnesses that people with HIV may get when their immune system is badly damaged. This can occur many years after being infected with HIV.
How it is contracted- HIV is transmitted by blood, semen or vaginal fluids of an infected person entering the bloodstream of another person. It is most commonly contracted through anal or vaginal sex as well as sharing drug injecting equipment. There have been some reports of HIV being transmitted through oral sex, although in theses cases there were cuts, sore or wounds in the mouth. HIV can pass from both partners during vaginal and anal sex. HIV can also be passed from mother to baby during pregnancy or birth. HIV cannot be caught from kissing, hugging, sharing cutlery, mosquito bites or casual contact.
Symptoms- The symptoms of HIV include a flu-like illness, which may include fever, swollen glans and/or a rash on the body. They may appear in the weeks following the infection. It is possible for people to have HIV for years and never know it. When a person develops AIDS symptoms may include, but are not limited to loss of appetite, diarrhoea, weight loss, fever and fatigue.
How to prevent it- Using a condom during vaginal and anal sex will protect against contracting HIV. Lubricant use is also advised. Never share drug equipment, and always use a sterile syringe.
How to get rid of it- There is no cure for HIV or AIDS, and there is no vaccine to prevent infection. Treatments have been developed to help with the symptoms, improving health and reducing the progression towards AIDS.
Molluscum contagiosum
What- It is a skin disease caused by a virus.
How it is contracted- It is contracted through direct skin to skin contact with an infected person.
Symptoms- Symptoms of molluscum contagiosum include small raised lumps with a pit in the centre normally appearing around the genitals.
How to prevent it- Using condoms can prevent transmission, although condoms may not always cover the entire area.
How to get rid of it- They can be treated by a doctor freezing them or extracting the core with a needle.
Non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU)
What- Non-gonococcal urethritis is an infection in the urethra that has not been diagnosed as gonorrhoea.
How it is contracted- NGU is passed transmitted through vaginal, anal and oral sex with an infected person.
Symptoms- Men may notice an abnormal discharge, particularly when the penis is squeezed and/or experience a burning sensation during urination.
How to prevent it- Using condoms reduces the risk of transmission.
How to get rid of it- It can be treated easily with antibiotics.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
What- Iit is an infection of the reproductive organs of a woman, which may be caused by chlamydia or gonorrhoea. It can include infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes and/or cervix.
How it is contracted- It is caused by STIs chlamydia or gonorrhoea. However, it is not always from sexually transmitted infections, it can also be caused by bacteria during the termination of pregnancy, using IUDs and childbirth.
Symptoms- Abdominal pain, pain with deep penetration during sex, and fever. Irregular periods and abnormal vaginal discharge can also be symptoms.
How to prevent it- Using a condom for vaginal sex.
How to get rid of it- It can be treated with antibiotics, although serious cases may require hospitalisation and intravenous antibiotics.
Scabies
What- Scabies is a skin infestation caused by tiny mites that are similar to crabs but harder to see. They dig into the skin to live and reproduce.
How is it contracted- Skin to skin contact with an infested person, sharing clothes and/or a bed.
Symptoms- Iintense itching
How to prevent it- Stay away from people that have scabies, as they are easily caught from close body contact. Clean all clothes and bed linen that may have come into contact with an infected person
How to get rid of it- Through the use of an appropriate cream or lotion that is prescribed by a doctor or pharmacist. Ensure your partner is treated at the same time to minimise chance of reinfecting each other. Wash all clothes and bed linen.
Syphilis
What- Syphilis is caused by a bacteria, when left untreated it can have serious long term effects.
How it is contracted- It is contracted through vaginal, oral and anal sex. It can also be transmitted from a mother to a baby during pregnancy.
Symptoms- A painless ulcer or sore in the early stages, which can easily go unnoticed. A rash on the palms of hands or soles of feet, or sometimes in other places on the body too, during the second stage. After the first two initial stages there can be a long period of time when there are no apparent symptoms, this is called latent syphilis. If it is left untreated, syphilis can lead to serious health problems such as spine, heart and brain damage.
How to prevent it- Condoms will reduce much of the risk, but may not cover the entire area, avoid touching any sore or rash.
How to get rid of it- Penicillin injections are used as an effective treatment, both you and your partner will need treatment to reduce the risk of reinfecting each other.
Thrush/Candidiasis
What- Thrush is an infection caused by a yeast called Candida
How it is contracted- It is not considered an STI, but sex may aggravate the infection, as sex may leave moisture under the foreskin or change the vaginal balance. It can also be caused by antibiotics, diabetes, pregnancy, soaps and detergents used in the genital area and tight clothing that increases sweating.
Symptoms- Abnormal vaginal discharge, the skin around the vagina may become red, inflamed, and itchy and may extend around to the anus. Men can also develop thrush on the foreskin, and head of the penis as an itchy rash, and/or a redness and swelling.
How to prevent it- Wear loose and cooler underwear and pants, uncircumcised men need to wash (only with water) and dry under their foreskin daily and after sex, avoid soaps, gels, sanitary perfumes, bubble baths and bath salts and minimise antibiotics. Thrush is not considered an STI.
How to get rid of it- The symptoms can be relieved with vaginal creams and tablets prescribed by your doctor.
Trichomoniasis
What- it is caused by a parasite that infects the vagina in women and urethra in men.
How is it contracted- Through unprotected sex with a person who in infected.
Symptoms- Vaginal discharge and/or change in the vaginal odour, although not all women will show symptoms. Most men have no symptoms, although some may notice a discharge from the penis.
How to prevent it- Using condoms
How to get rid of it- Trichomoniasis can be treated with a single dose of antibiotics, both partners need to be treated to prevent reinfection.
