Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) can stop us from having the best and most enjoyable sex lives.
If they are untreated, some of them can also cause long term damage to our bodies. We all need to be aware of the different types of STIs so that we do our best to stay healthy and make sure we keep our partners healthy too.
Having an STI can also increase the risk of becoming HIV-positive if we are exposed to the virus. STIs also can be a lot more of a problem for those of us who are HIV-positive.
Syphilis
Symptoms:
- One or more painless sores, caused by a bacteria, may appear on the lips, mouth, penis, anus or inside the rectum about 1-3 months after being exposed.
- 3-6 months later symptoms can include a rash on your body, sores on your palms or feet, and sores in your mouth or anus. If infected after many years, Syphilis can cause you to feel sick, and lead to problems with your organs, or confusion.
- If left untreated, Syphilis can cause serious problems in your body and even can cause death.
- It is possible to have Syphilis and spread it to others and not have any symptoms at all.
Treatment:
- Syphilis can be treated with antibiotics and you can be cured. It is easier if you are treated early as this will prevent more serious problems from occurring.
- First syphilis sore which may happen 1-3 months after being exposed will heal on its own but you will still be infected and still require treatment.
Gonorrhea and Chlamydia
Symptoms:
- A bacteria causes similar symptoms for both Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia including white or yellow discharge (dripping) from the penis, or an infection of the anus or mouth; discomfort when urinating; or pain or swelling of the scrotum.
- It may take 1 – 10 days after exposure to the germ before symptoms appear.
- It is possible to have both Gonorrhea and Chlamydia and spread it to others and not have any symptoms at all.
Treatment:
- Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia can be cured by taking antibiotics.
Herpes (Herpes Simplex Virus)
Symptoms:
- The virus will cause small blisters on your lips, penis, or anus that contain fluid and when they burst cause painful sores.
- Sometimes you can’t always see herpes even if you are infected, and it can take 2 to 20 days after infection before symptoms (signs) occur.
- Herpes can make your penis, scrotum, and/or anus itch or tingle and also cause you to urinate often.
Treatment:
- Herpes can be treated but not cured so you could have repeated outbreaks of these blisters over time.
- Creams can be used to reduce the pain of outbreaks and medication can be used to reduce the number of outbreaks you have.
Warts (Human Papilloma Virus)
Symptoms:
- A virus causes small hard bumps to appear on the penis, scrotum, and/or anus either alone or in clusters.
- Warts are not painful but can become itchy, uncomfortable, and may bleed if irritated from rubbing.
- It may take 1 to 6 months after infection before warts start appearing.
- You may be infected with the virus that causes warts and spread it to others without having any warts.
Treatment:
- Your body will clear the virus that causes warts naturally over a long period of time and there are many types of treatments to remove warts. Even after treatment, the warts may continue to return until your body clears the virus that is causing them.
- Warts can be removed by burning, freezing, some special creams, or a small operation (for example, if they are inside your anus).
- If they are not treated warts may sometimes spread to other parts of the body, and could lead to cancer of the penis and anus.
Hepatitis
Symptoms:
- Three types of viruses (HEP A, HEP B, HEP C) all cause liver problems, jaundice (yellow eyes), nausea, abdominal pain and vomiting.
Treatment:
- Hepatitis A (HEP A) can be prevented with a vaccine. Infection can make you very ill but most people will recover without any long-term problems.
- Hepatitis B (HEP B) remains in the body for a very long period after infection, causing liver damage and a risk of cancer. Hep B can be prevented with a vaccine. It is difficult to cure but can be controlled with the same medications used to treat HIV.
- Hepatitis C (HEP C) The germ stays in your body and causes long-term liver damage. It can be cured with very expensive medications which are hard to access. There is no vaccine to prevent Hep C.
