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Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

This page was reviewed or revised on Thursday, October 13, 2011 11:12 AM

What is a sexually transmitted infection?

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) - also known as STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) or venereal disease (VD) - are spread from one person to another during any type of sexual contact (oral, vaginal and anal).

Most STIs can be cured or prevented. Those that cannot be cured can be helped with medication. Some STIs can cause serious illness and death.

Risks of an STI

Anyone, who has sex, can get an STI. The more people you have sex with, the greater your chance of an STI.

• Unprotected sex
• Condom failure
• Partner has an STI
• You have a new sex partner
• You or partner uses injection drugs

Should I care?

Unless treated, some can cause serious illness, permanent damage, and even death.

• Some STIs can make you sterile (unable to have a baby).
• STIs can cause a lot of pain, especially in women.
• Unless treated, you will continue to spread it to your partners.
• Some STIs can cause serious health problems in unborn/newborn babies.
  

Symptoms

Many people with an STI have no symptoms. Here are signs to look for on your sex organs:

• Sores
• Irritation
• Itch
• Discharge
• Strong smell from the vagina
• Burning sensation when you urinate
• Unusual rash

Even if these signs go away, something may be wrong. See a health care professional.

When do they appear?

Some signs show up 2-10 days after you have had sex with an infected person. Others may not show up for months. Sometimes there are no signs.

If you have more than one sex partner, visit a health care professional or STI clinic at least every 6 months for a checkup. If you have many sex partners, get checked out more often. If you have an STI tell your partner right away.

If you think you have an STI

If you think you have an STI, but do not know who to talk to, call County of Lambton Community Health Services Department at 519 383-8331 ext. 3547 or toll free 1-800-667-1839.

Community Health Services now has a direct and confidential email address for questions relating to birth control and STIs. Email birthcontrol.std@county-lambton.on.ca to send a message to the sexual health and birth control clinics.

Sexually transmitted infections & pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Women may get a serious infection called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). With proper treatment, most women can be cured of PID, some women may have PID problems for several years. Some women will not be able to get pregnant and some will never be cured.

If PID is treated quickly there is less danger and women can be easily cured.

Signs of PID

• Pain in the lower abdomen (tummy)
• Pain in the lower back
• Flu-like signs
• High temperature
• Unusual bleeding or discharge from the vagina
  

Gonorrhea and chlamydia are 2 common STIs that can cause PID. An estimated 4 of 5 women will not have any early signs of these STIs.

Other health problems

Less common dangers of untreated STIs include:

• arthritis
• heart disease
• nerve damage

What about pregnancy?

If you are pregnant and have an STI:

• You can pass it on to your baby. See a doctor and ask for a complete STI checkup.
• Women with an active outbreak of herpes around the sex organs during delivery risk having a baby with serious health problems.
• Women with syphilis during pregnancy also risk having a baby with serious birth defects.
• Women with HIV infection require specialized medical care during pregnancy to decrease the risk of passing the infection to their baby.
  

If you have an STI 

• See your doctor or visit an STI clinic. It is confidential, and free medicine may be available.
• Take all the medicine you are given.
• Do not have sex with anyone until you are cured. This may take a week or more.
• Tell recent sex partners they may have an STI. They should go to a doctor or STI clinic. If you prefer, a Public Health Nurse will contact your sex partners for you. Your name will remain confidential.

Talking with your partner

Pick a quiet time and place. Be direct. Tell them what you know and urge them to visit a doctor or STI clinic. Don't be afraid. STIs are just infections.

Prevention

• Do not have sex with someone who has signs of an STI.
• Men should always use latex condoms (safes or rubbers) especially if they have sex with many people.
• Even if a man uses a condom, a woman can protect herself with birth control foam, or a diaphragm and birth control cream/jelly.
• Urinating (peeing) after sex and washing your sex organs with soap and water may help prevent STIs.
• Know your partner(s) name, address and phone number. If they get an STI, they will be easy to contact.
• If you have sex with more than one partner, have complete STI checkups every 6-12 months.
• Know your body. Knowing what is normal can help spot the first signs of an STI.
• People who are infected with STIs may not show signs. A condom, or not having sex, is the best protection.
• Talk about STIs with your sex partners. Be honest. Be careful. Be considerate.
  

For free, confidential information on sexually transmitted infections or AIDS, and where to go for treatment, call Community Health Services, 519 383-8331 ext. 3547 or toll free 1-800-667-1839.

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