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Sexual Health Information |
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What is a Sexually Transmitted Infection?
A Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) is an infection that you can get from having sex with a person who is infected. "Sex" can mean oral sex (mouth on genitals), vaginal sex (penis in vagina) or anal sex (penis in anus).
There are many different kinds of STIs. The four most common STIs are:
Are STIs a serious health problem?
If they are not treated, some STIs can cause serious health problems for both men and women. Some are easily cured but others can eventually kill you. All STIs can be passed on to anyone you have sex with. Untreated STIs also increase your risk of getting HIV (the virus that can lead to AIDS).
Bacteria cause STIs like gonorrhea and Chlamydia. These STIs can be cured with antibiotics.
STIs caused by viruses, like genital Herpes, Human Papilloma Virus and HIV cannot be cured with medication. However, medication can help with the symptoms, like the discomfort of genital Herpes. It can also help people with HIV live for many years.
A woman can pass certain STIs to a fetus growing in her body or to her baby as it is being born. She can also pass HIV to her baby through her breastmilk. It is important for pregnant women to be tested for STIs. Many women have STI testing, including HIV testing, before they get pregnant.
How do you know if you have an STI?
You may get symptoms from an STI or you may not. The only way to be sure is to have an STI test. If your partner tells you he or she has an STI, ask for the name of the disease. Then go to your doctor, a sexual health clinic or an STI clinic to get tested and treated.
Sexual Health Clinics
For the location of a Sexual Health clinic near you, call the
AIDS and Sexual Health InfoLine
416-392-2437 or 1-800-668-2437
Free and confidential services for teens, men and women
"Getn Tested" (PDF file size 55KB)
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See your doctor:
- if you notice anything unusual on your genitals: a bump, a sore or a rash
- if it burns when you urinate (pee)
- if there is unusual fluid coming out of your vagina or your penis
- if sex hurts
You should get tested for STIs if you have symptoms or if your partner tells you he or she has an STI. Doctors may test women for chlamydia and gonorrhea when they have their annual Pap test as part of the internal exam.
Both women and men need to ask to be tested for STIs.
Doctors do not test for HIV unless you ask for an HIV test.
How can you avoid getting an STI?
Practise safer sex. Some sexual activities are safer than others. Kissing and touching are safe. If you use your mouth on a person's genitals (oral sex), it is safer to cover the genitals. You can cut a condom to spread over the vulva (female genitals) or anus. Use a condom for oral sex on a man. Try using flavoured condoms.
If you have vaginal sex (penis in vagina) or anal sex (penis in anus), use a lubricated condom every time.
Can you get the same STI more than once?
Once you take antibiotics for an STI, you will get tested again in a few weeks to make sure you are cured. However, if you have sex without a condom, you can get the same or another STI from an infected partner. Make sure your partner also gets tested and treated.
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