Sexually transmitted infections
Infections you can get if you have unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex or skin on skin contact with someone. STIs can be serious and not go away by themselves. Not all STIs have symptoms and people may not be aware they have an STI.
Condoms and internal condoms offer the best protection against STIs, however are not 100% effective. To provide the best protection they must be used correctly and every time. The most common STIs in New Zealand are:
Chlamydia:
bacterial infection of the cervix and urethra, passed from person to person during sex.
Transmission: sexual contact including vaginal, oral and anal sex. Pregnant women can spread the bacteria to baby during birth. Symptoms: vaginal discharge, discharge from penis, bleeding between periods, lower abdo pain, pain during urination, pain during sex, however for most people there are no symptoms. Treatment: Course of antibiotics. Sexual Contact: any recent partners will need to be tested and treated; it is recommended to not have sex for at least 7 days after treatment. Complications: chlamydia can spread from cervix to uterus and fallopian tubes leading to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which can damage and block fallopian tubes, leading to possible infertility and higher risk of ectopic pregnancy. Babies who are infected during birth may develop eye infections and pneumonia.
HPV and Genital warts:
HPV are the most common sexually transmissible infection in the world. Most people do not develop symptoms and will not require treatment. Some forms of HPV can cause genital warts or changes to cells which can lead to cancer of the cervix, vulva, penis, anus or throat. Genital warts are small lumps in or around the vagina, on the cervix, on the penis or scrotum, or around the anus.
Transmission: close skin to skin contact, usually during sex. Symptoms: small skin coloured lumps that might be itchy. Treatment: genital warts usually are self-limiting and will clear up on own, other treatments including a cream which helps immune system fight the virus, a liquid painted on the warts to kill the infected cells, freezing with liquid nitrogen or diathermy (heat).
Genital herpes:
An infection on the genitals caused by herpes simplex virus. The same virus which causes cold sores around the mouth.
Transmission: close skin contact with someone who has the virus, most infectious just before you get a sore, it can also be transmitted from mother to baby during birth. Symptoms: painful blisters, ulcers or sores, most people have no symptoms. Treatment: treated with an anti-herpes medication which help shorten the attack, if people get recurrent attacks can take tables regularly to prevent recurrence. Complications: usually very minor for people with healthy immunity, can have serious health consequences for new-borns including fatal organ damage, serious viral infections such as meningitis, blindness, deafness and/ or seizures, if during late pregnancy an ulcer or blister is present decision may be made to have C-section.
Gonorrhoea:
a bacterial infection of the genitals, throat or rectum.
Transmission: unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex, can also be spread from mother to baby during birth. Symptoms: vaginal discharge, bleeding between periods, lower abdo pain, pain during sex, pain during urination, discharge from penis or rectum, pain in testicles, however there may be no symptoms. Sexual Contact: sexual partners should be tested and treated; sex should be avoided until treatment completed. Treatment: A combination of antibiotics due to resistance of gonorrhoea bacteria. Complications: infertility in both men and women.
Less common STIs in New Zealand:
Syphilis:
bacterial infection which usually starts as an ulcer on skin or lining of genital area. Transmission: unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex, close skin to skin contact and/ or from mother to baby through placenta during pregnancy.
Symptoms: chancre (a painless ulcer usually on genitals), in second stage a rash may follow and possible range of other symptoms.
Treatment: course of antibiotics. Sexual Partners: partners must be tested and treated; sex is not recommended until cleared from treatment. Complications: in late stages, can cause damage to heart, brain and spinal cord.
Hepatitis A, B and C:
A viral infection that affects the liver.
Transmission: Hep A through contaminated food or water as well as unprotected sex which involves oral to anal contact, Hep B through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex, through mother to baby, sharing items which may pierce the skin (needles, syringes, unsterilized instruments, razors, toothbrushes), or blood transfusions, Hep C sharing items which may pierce the skin (needles, syringes, unsterilized instruments, razors, toothbrushes), or blood transfusions, unlikely through sexual contact but possible.
Symptoms: jaundice, dark urine, mild flu-like symptoms, abdo pain, nausea.
Treatment: well-balanced low-fat diet, rest, avoid alcohol and drugs, some antiviral drugs for hep C.
Trichomoniasis:
a protozoal infection (parasite) of the genital area.
Transmission: unprotected sexual intercourse. Symptoms: smelly vaginal discharge, itching and irritation around vagina and vulva, pain when urinating, discharge from penis, frothy discharge. Sexual partners: should be tested and treated, sex should be avoided until cleared from treatment.
Pubic lice/ crabs: small lice that live in pubic hair.
Transmission: through close body contact usually during sex, can also be spread through bedding and clothing. Symptoms: inflammation, irritation, intense itching in and around pubic area, presence of lice eggs on pubic hair.
Treatment: application of a shampoo, cream or ointment to kill the lice, bedding and clothing should be washed. Sexual partners: may be infected and should be treated.
HIV and AIDS:
the human immune-deficiency virus (HIV) attacks the white blood cells and damages the immune system. HIV causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) which interferes with the bodies ability to fight infections.
Transmission: through contact with infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids, sharing needles and from mother to baby. Symptoms: early flu-like illness, frequent attacks of thrush and other infections, often there are no obvious symptoms for years.
Treatment: no cure but can be controlled by antiretroviral medication, treatment also available for secondary infections. Sexual partners: partners should be tested, all partners must be advised of infection before intercourse, condoms should always be used, do not share needles.
Urinary tract infection (UTI):
not specifically sexually transmitted however risk is increased from intercourse. Occurs when bacteria grown in urinary tract.
Symptoms: pain or burning during urination, urination urgency, abdominal, back or side pain.
Treatment: antibiotics and increased oral fluids. Prevention: drink lots of water, urinate immediately after sex, wipe from urethra backwards to bottom when going toilet.
STI Testing:
Reasons to get tested:
- If you are beginning a new sexual relationship
- If you have had unprotected sex
- If you have any symptoms or think you may have an STI
- Routine sexual health check
- If a condom broke
- If you are pregnant