STI’s (Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Also known as STD’s (Sexually Transmitted Diseases)…
Why has the name changed ? Because STI’s are not diseases; they are in fact infections. What’s the difference? An infection means that you are the carrier of a microbe or a virus, but that you won’t necessarily become ill with a disease… A disease is the possible consequence of an infection; you would then present signs or symptoms of the infection.
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The different types of STI’s
There are many types of STI’s :
- Human Papilloma Virus or HPV
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Genital Herpes or HSV
- Trichomonas
- Syphilis
- Hepatitis A, B, C
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV
Five good reasons to be informed and protected against STI’s!
- Because you respect your body and want to stay healthy
- Because you want your sexual experiences to be 100% positive!
- To avoid a possibly shameful, troublesome and painful situation
- So that the pleasure lasts…for a long long time!
- So you can enjoy life until you’re old and wrinkly…
If you can find better reasons, great! Tell us about it at
suggestion@youngandhealthy.caWe think we’re safe from these sexually transmitted infections, that it couldn’t happen to us. However, STI’s are more and more common especially over the last 10 years.
How do you catch an STI and how do you know if you have one?
STI’s (or STD’s) can be caught while having unsafe or unprotected sex. Unsafe sex means that you have had oral, vaginal or anal sex without using a condom or that you shared sex toys with another partner.Â
You can’t get an STI on a toilet seat or in a swimming pool!Â
However you can catch some STI’s more than once, even if you’ve been treated for it in the past. Condylomas or genital warts, HPV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomonas are all infections that can be caught more than once.
Many teens with an STI are not having any symptoms. For some STI’s, as much as 50% have no symptoms. In many cases they are unaware of their STI and only discover it following a medical check-up that includes the right tests. Therefore teens can pass on their infection to their unsuspecting partners without even realizing it.
In an ideal world…there would be no STI’s!
In an ideal world…you would just have to think about a condom and it would already be on!
Wishful thinking can get you in trouble! But…
If it happens to me, or if I’m worried….What should I do?
If symptoms appear or if you’re just preoccupied because you’ve had unsafe sex, you can consult your physician or a clinic to get tested, treated or simply to get some information. You can also talk to the school nurse or counselor, or your local public health authority for more information.
You might also want to get tested:
- before having sex with a new partner, just to make sure everything’s is OK. Then it’s a good idea that both you and your partner get tested,
- if you or your partner has had sex with another partner,
- or if you’re not sure of your partner
A check-up? Eeech!
What’s going to happen to me?
For the guys…
- An examination of the skin, the penis, testicles and if needed of the mouth and the anal region
- If needed, some tests (throat, skin, the opening on the penis, anus) or a urine sample (for some STI’s)
- A blood test if required
For the girls…
- An examination of the skin, mouth and a traditional gynecological exam, which means an examination of the vulva, vagina and cervix of the uterus and then if needed of the anal region.
- If needed, some tests (throat, skin, vaginal secretions, cervix of the uterus, anus) or a urine sample (for some STI’s)
- A pap test if needed
- A blood test if required
If it’s your first time with this sort of exam and you’re uncomfortable or troubled, tell your nurse or physician. They usually could help you feel more comfortable.
Some of the tests are done with a long thin stick with a cotton swab at the end (like a long Q-tip). Samples are taken from the skin, in the throat, vagina, cervix, the urethra, the tip of the penis (urethra), etc. Ideally, these tests should be done a few days up to a week after a dubious encounter. A test done earlier could miss the infection. These tests are used to identify Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Herpes and Trichomonas. The PAP test is also used to detect changes on the cervix caused by the Human Papilloma Virus. (Link the pap test here) enlever
Screening for other STI’s is done with a blood test, usually between 6 weeks and 3 months after a possible infection. These tests are used to identify HIV, Hepatitis A, B and C, as well as Syphilis.
In short…2 things to remember…
- A condom is always a good choice!
- If you drop the ball and catch something, don’t forget that STI’s don’t disappear like magic or by drinking a lot of water. Only health professionals can give you a clear diagnostic.
Be clever and fair, tell your partner
It’s not easy to say : « Hey, I have an STI and, well…you might have it too…pass the salt please? »
If you’re too ashamed to tell your partner or partners, there are ways to make it easier to come out and reveal it. Tell yourself that you’d be grateful, in a reverse situation, that your partner would come to you and reveal it.
It’s true! It’s not easy at all to accept that you have an STI. You feel guilty, frustrated, deceived. But a sexual relationship involves two persons. Like caresses are shared, responsibilities are shared just the same. By warning your partner, you’re preventing possible additional infections to others.
You can…
- Send an anonymous letter if you’re really too ashamed
- Meet the person somewhere you feel comfortable and tell him or her. If you’re troubled, prepare yourself in advance, it helps.
- If you don’t want to face them, you can always use the telephone or the Internet…it’s a much less personal, but the important thing is that they are informed and aware of the situation.
- Talk to a health professional. They can probably help you find the right words to explain the situation. For example, they can ask the public health authority to take care of warning your partner. They won’t say where the information comes from, but that they need to be treated.