Sexually Transmissible Infections (STIs)
A sexually transmissible infection (STI) is passed from one person to another when they have sex. If you do not want to catch an STI, always use a condom and water based lubricant when you have sex.
Get more info - STI Factsheet (Family Planning NSW)
CHLAMYDIA
A person can have chlamydia without knowing it. Men may have a discharge from their penis and it may hurt to urinate (piss). Women might have a discharge from the vagina and pain low in the belly. If women are not treated, chlamydia can cause PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease). PID can stop women ever being able to have a baby.
Get more info – Chlamydia Factsheet (Family Planning NSW)
TRICHOMONIASIS
It is often called Trike. Men often do not know they have it. Women may have a discharge that smells bad and the vagina may be sore and itchy.
Get more info – The Vagina Factsheet (Family Planning NSW)
GONORRHOEA
It is often called the jack, the drip or the clap. Men usually have a discharge from the penis and sharp pain when they piss. Women might not know they have it. Gonorrhoea can cause PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease).
Get more info - STI Factsheet (Family Planning NSW)
GENITAL HERPES
Genital herpes is a virus that causes very painful itchy sores on the penis, vagina or anus. The sores change into little blisters that burst and get better. They come and go and there can be months or years between attacks.
Get more info – Genital Herpes, Frequently Asked Question (Family Planning NSW)
STI Factsheet (Family Planning NSW)
GENITAL WARTS
Genital warts grow around the penis, vagina and anus. They may be sore or itchy or they may not bother you. If they grow inside the vagina, women won't know they have them unless they have a check up.
Get more info – Genital Warts Factsheet (Family Planning NSW)
PUBIC LICE (also called CRABS)
These tiny insects live in pubic hair and cause bad itching. They crawl easily from one person to another.
Get more info - STI Factsheet (Family Planning NSW)
HEPATITIS A
Hepatitis A is passed on in saliva and faeces (shit). It is very easy to catch. If you have anal sex it is very important to wash your hands after taking off the condom. Always wash your hands after going to the toilet. Signs of Hepatitis A are yellow skin, dark urine (piss), fever, sick feeling, pain in the belly and tiredness.
Get more info - STI Factsheet (Family Planning NSW)
HEPATITIS B and HEPATITIS C
Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are passed on by sharing needles and syringes and hepatitis B is also passed on by having sex. They are very easy to catch and make people sick for a long time. Signs are the same as for Hepatitis A, yellow skin, dark urine (piss) sick feeling, pain in the belly and tiredness.
Get more info – Hepatitis B Factsheet (Family Planning NSW)
HIV and AIDS
HIV is a virus. It is passed on in blood, semen or vaginal fluid, mainly by having sex or sharing needles. People who have HIV can stay well for years and do not know they have it unless they have a test. After some time HIV can cause AIDS. When people have AIDS they get very sick.
Get more info – HIV Factsheet (Family Planning NSW)
SYPHILIS
First a person gets an ulcer somewhere on their body. If it is inside their vagina or anus they will not know about it. Then they get a headache, sore throat, fever and a rash on the palms of their hands or the souls of their feet. They seem to get better but Syphilis stays in their body for years causing problems. At last the person gets very sick and will only get better if they have treatment.
Get more info - Syphilis Factsheet (Family Planning NSW)
Telling Partners
If you have an STI it is important to tell the person or people you have sex with so they can get treated too. You could say, "I have an infection in my penis (or vagina). The doctor said we should both be treated so we don't keep getting it."
Get more info - STI Factsheet (Family Planning NSW)
NOTE - If you do not want to catch an STI, always use a condom and water based lubricant when you have sex.
Source: Family Planning NSW, Australia
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