Especially within the queer community, there can sometimes be stigma or misconceptions as to who is most at risk for certain STIs. The reality is- STIs don’t discriminate! If you are engaging in sex, there is always some risk that you may contract an STI. To best mitigate STIs it is important to follow our STI prevention tips in the “How To Best Prevent STIs” tab. All sex can carry some risk, but by being educated, having open conversations with your partners, and using safer sex supplies, you can help minimize this risk.
If you are choosing to engage in sexual activities, there will always be some risk of contracting an STI. Follow these tips to help protect yourself and your partner(s)!
STI Prevention Tips:
- Use a condom or dental dam when you are having any kind of oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
- Get STI tested after each new partner.
- Facilitate open conversations with your sexual partner(s) about past STIs, safer sex practices, and current STI status before engaging in any sexual activity.
- Get vaccinated. For STIs like HPV a vaccination is available to help protect you from contracting the virus!
- Talk to your doctor! If you are in a high rick demographic for HIV, talk to your doctor about PEP or PrEP to help minimize your risk of contracting HIV.
- Ensure all sex toys are properly washed before sharing them.
Hepatitis A
Transmission:
Hepatitis A is a liver disease transmitted primarily through contaminated water and food. There are higher transmission rates in countries with poor water sanitation.
Symptoms:
Individuals who have contracted Hepatitis C may experience loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, fever, fatigue, light coloured stool, jaundice, and dark coloured urine. Symptoms may not appear immediately after infection as Hepatitis A has a 2-6 week incubation period.
Prevention and Treatment:
There is the Twinrix vaccination available that is over 90% effective in preventing Hepatitis A &B in those who haven’t been previously infected. This vaccine is most effective for about 10-15 years, and requires a second booster shot to maintain effectiveness.
There is no medical treatment other than rest and rehydration. For many healthy adults they will be free of the infection within two months, but some individuals may require hospitalization as a result of the illness. It is important to note that Hepatitis A does not cause chronic liver disease, and most individuals simply experience bad flu like symptoms and then recover fully.
Hepatitis B
Transmission:
Hepatitis B can be transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and can be spread from mother to baby during childbirth.
Symptoms:
Hepatitis B can cause liver failure causing jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), nausea, dark urine, abdominal pain, fever, and fatigue.
Prevention and Treatment:
There is the Twinrix vaccination available that is over 90% effective in preventing Hepatitis A &B in those who haven’t been previously infected. This vaccine is most effective for about 10-15 years, and requires a second booster shot to maintain effectiveness.
About 95% of individuals can naturally fight off Hepatitis B, but 5% may require more severe medical help if their immune system is not strong enough to combat the disease. Hepatitis B is chronic, and although it can be transmitted through unprotected sex, it is not considered an STI as there are many other modes of transmission.
Hepatitis C
Transmission:
Hepatitis C is spread when the infected blood on one individual comes into contact with the blood of someone else. High risk modes of transmission include shared razors, contaminated tattoo needles, and intravenous drug use.
Symptoms:
Hepatitis C can cause liver failure causing jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), nausea, dark urine, abdominal pain, fever, and fatigue.
Prevention and Treatment:
There is currently no vaccine to prevent against Hepatitis C.
15% of the population can naturally fight off Hepatitis C with no treatment, but 85% will need treatment. Up until 2013, Hepatitis C treatment was comparable to chemotherapy with extreme side effects. Fortunately, medical technology has advanced and current treatment is 1 pill per day for 5-8 weeks with very minimal side effects such as headaches or queasiness. Hepatitis C costs about $60 000 per treatment but in Canada it is 100% covered by health care. 70% of intravenous drug users have Hepatitis C, and fortunately ARCHES has a comprehensive and supportive program to ensure any individual who has Hepatitis C and needs treatment can access it. Please see our “Programs & Services” tab and click on “Stigma-Free HIV/HCV Advocacy Prevention Education & Support (SHAPES)” for more information.
Transmission:
Syphilis is caused by bacteria and usually passes through skin to skin when sores are present. It can be passed through kissing involving excessive saliva, kissing for long periods of time, sharing sex toys, and unprotected sex of any kind. Lesions can also be an entry point for HIV.
Symptoms:
There are four stages of Syphilis:
- Primary: An ulcer will develop- usually one or more sores. They are usually small and painless ulcers. They can occur on the genitals and in/around the mouth within 60-90 days of exposure. They heal within 6 months with no treatment.
- Secondary: A rash may form anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months after exposure. People experience a rosey copper rash on the palms of their hands or soles of their feet. It can be accompanied by swollen lymph nodes, a fever, and weight loss. Up to 40% of people with Secondary Syphilis have their brain and spinal cord affected which results in a headache, inability to hear properly, ringing in ears, and difficulty seeing.
- Latent: Syphilis stays dormant in the body and no symptoms are present at this time.
- Tertiary: This stage can begin anywhere between 2 and 30 years after infection. At this time Syphilis crosses the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and gets into the brain causing dementia like symptoms (Neurosyphilis). Tis can affect the heart, brain and nerves and cause blindness, paralysis, deafness, impotence, or death if left untreated. For pregnant women it can lead to stillborn or miscarriage.
Prevention and Treatment:
The best way to prevent Syphilis is to use safer sex practices. Use a condom or dental dam when engaging in sex, get tested for STIs frequently, and have open communication with your partner about their STI status and safer sex practices.
If you test positive for Syphilis and it is treated early, a simple high dose of antibiotics or shot of penicillin into your butt is all you may require.
Herpes can be classified into two different categories- Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV1) and Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV2). HSV 1 is considered to be Oral Herpes and causes cold sores, and HSV2 is considered to be Genital Herpes and causes genital warts.
Transmission:
It’s important to note that although HSV1 causes lesions on the mouth and HSV2 causes lesions on the genitals, they can be swapped. If an individual has HSV1 and performs unprotected oral sex on their partner, their partner could contract HSV1 on their genitals. Herpes can be passed through skin-to-skin contact, and sores do not have to be present to pass it.
Symptoms:
Herpes presents in painful blisters that break open and scab within two weeks. It can be clusters or an individual sore. An individual with Herpes will experience itchy burning and tingling in the outbreak area. Many people may also experience fatigue, body aches, a fever, and swollen lymph nodes.
Prevention and Treatment:
The best way to prevent Herpes is to use safer sex practices. Use a condom or dental dam when engaging in sex, have open communication with your partner about their STI status and safer sex practices, and avoid any form of sex or kissing when you or a partner has a Herpes outbreak.
Herpes is a virus and therefore there is no cure. It is estimated that over 25% of the population has Herpes, and in most individuals Herpes will not negatively impact them beyond an inconvenient sore every once in a while. Sometimes Herpes can cause serious conditions such as meningitis, neonatal herpes, and encephalitis but this is very rare. The worst side effects are often the psychological effects due to stigma, misconceptions, embarrassment, and fear of rejection caused by the Herpes outbreaks. For people who get frequent and severe outbreaks there is medication, but it can put high strain on the liver so it is always best to continuously consult your doctor.
Transmission:
Gonorrhea is transmitted through unprotected sex when the infected mucous membrane of one infected individual touches a mucous membrane of another. It can be passed through anal, vaginal, or oral sex.
Symptoms:
Gonorrhea will most frequently present itself in the form of foul smelling pee and extremely painful urination comparable to “peeing razor blades”.
Prevention and Treatment:
The best way to prevent Gonorrhea is to use safer sex practices. Use a condom or dental dam when engaging in sex, get tested for STIs frequently, and have open communication with your partner about their STI status and safer sex practices.
To be diagnosed with Gonorrhea it is as easy as peeing in a cup! If diagnosed, one can take antibiotics and be fully cured. You must disclose status to previous partners if you test positive for Chlamydia.
Transmission:
Chlamydia is transmitted through unprotected sex when the infected mucous membrane of one infected individual touches a mucous membrane of another. It can be passed through anal, vaginal, or oral sex.
Symptoms:
Chlamydia can infect the cervix, throat, rectum, urethra, and even eyes.
If your cervix is infected one may experience pain during intercourse, bleeding between periods, discharge from vagina, unusual odor, and could eventually cause back pain, fever, and nausea if the infection worsens.
If you have Chlamydia you may notice yellow or white discharge from the urethra, a burning sensation when you pee, urethral itching, or testicular pain and swelling.
If the rectum is impacted you may experience rectal pain and itching.
If the throat is impacted you may experience a sore throat.
If you eyes are impacted you may experience pink eye, itchy red eyes, swelling, and white or yellow discharge that crusts on the eyes.
Prevention and Treatment:
The best way to prevent Chlamydia is to use safer sex practices. Use a condom or dental dam when engaging in sex, get tested for STIs frequently, and have open communication with your partner about their STI status and safer sex practices.
To be diagnosed with Chlamydia it is as easy as peeing in a cup! If diagnosed, one can take antibiotics and be fully cured. You must disclose status to previous partners if you test positive for Chlamydia.
Transmission:
There are more than 100 strains of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Seven strains are known to cause cancer, two are known to cause warts, and many have no effect. About 40 strains are transmitted through unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex. HPV is extremely common and if you’ve had unprotected sex even once, you likely have a strain.
Symptoms:
HPV may appear in the form of small “cauliflower” like bumps. Otherwise, HPV may be asymptomatic.
Prevention and Treatment:
There is currently the Gardasil 9 vaccine that protects against the 9 most harmful strains of HPV known to cause cancer and genital warts. Currently this vaccine is only covered for select individuals, but you may still purchase the vaccine from your local health care provider. The best way to prevent HPV is to use safer sex practices. Use a condom or dental dam when engaging in sex, get tested for STIs frequently, and have open communication with your partner about their STI status and safer sex practices. Individuals with vulvas can get a pap test to test for HPV, however there is currently no test for others.
Depending on what strain of HPV you have, there are different treatments available. If you have genital warts you may choose to get them burned off. For strains causing abnormal cells and cancer, you would follow the cancer treatment plan for your designated impacted area.
Itching? Burning? Unusual Odor? Painful Sex? Genital Warts?
If you’re presenting any symptoms that could be associated with any Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), the best thing you can do for yourself is go get tested. Getting tested for STIs is a very quick and confidential process that can be as easy as peeing in a cup! Many family doctors or walk in clinics offer STI testing, and if you’re looking for somewhere to get tested in Lethbridge feel free to check out our STI Testing Clinic Locations on our STI Testing Services page. There are tons of clinics around Lethbridge (often accessible by public transit with varying hours!) so there will definitely be a testing option that works for you!
Although we aim to mitigate STIs, there is absolutely no shame or stigma in thinking you have an STI. STIs happen to tons of people worldwide despite age, race, religion, hygiene habits, sexuality, or gender identity. STIs are human, and the best thing you can do is get tested to protect yourself and your partner(s).
Getting diagnosed with an STI is a simple process. After going to your doctor to get an STI test, you will often have to wait anywhere between a couple days to two business weeks to find out the results of your test. If diagnosed with an STI, you will be contacted by your doctor. They will then outline all of your treatment options, and what to do to get you back as healthy as possible. Depending on the STI, your doctor will also ask you more information on your past sexual partners so they can notify them they may have an STI too. If you don’t feel comfortable notifying your past partners yourself, your doctor will contact them for you in a completely anonymous fashion. Some STIs such as Herpes don’t require you to notify your past partners of your STI status, but it’s recommended as it’s the kind and courteous thing to do. Just as humans get sick with the common cold, sometimes we get STIs too and that’s okay. What’s important is you are taking care of your health, and there should never be any stigma attached to caring for your body!
If your partner has disclosed to you that they have an STI, recognize this could be a very intimidating conversation for them. Being there to listen and be a stigma free support is the best thing you can do! Here are some tips on supporting your partner if they have an STI:
Understand That Disclosing An STI Can Be Tough To Talk About
Despite STIs being a perfectly normal occurrence, some individuals may feel a huge stigma associated with STIs. This often makes it difficult for an individual who has been diagnosed with an STI to disclose this to their partners, friends, or families. If your partner has disclosed to you they have an STI, recognize that this could be a very difficult and scary conversation for them to have. Reassure them you support them, allow them to communicate how they are feeling, and be there to listen.
Understand STIs
If your partner is disclosing to you they have an STI, this means you may have an STI too. Understand that STIs can be a regular occurrence, and does not always signify your partner was unfaithful, intentionally carrying an STI, or trying to cause harm. Many times your partner simply did not recognize they had an STI as many people show little to no symptoms associated with the infection. Understand that society negatively stigmatizes STIs. The good news is that many STIs are easy to treat with a simple round of antibiotics!
Respect Your Partner
If a partner has confided in you about their STI diagnosis, it’s incredibly important to respect their privacy and keep the information to yourself. Since there are so many misconceptions about STIs, it’s likely that your partner will only want to discuss the matter with those they feel comfortable with.
Provide Support
Providing a kind and non-judgmental ear is the best way to help someone cope with an STI diagnosis. Many people experience a variety of emotions following an STI diagnosis whether it be confusion, embarrassment, anger, or relief. Just being able to talk through their feelings can be a huge support to your partner. Avoid using labels, be empathetic, and don’t feel like you need to offer any solutions. You’d be surprised at how much difference just listening can make.