Genital herpes is a very common STI caused by a virus. Genital herpes is like cold sores around the mouth, except the sores are in the genital area.

Transmission
Genital herpes is passed on by skin to skin contact with someone who has the infection. This often happens during vaginal, anal or oral sex. However, it can also be passed on without sexual intercourse because many sexual practises involve genital to genital or skin to skin contact. Herpes can be passed on through asymptomatic shedding. This is where someone has the infection sheds the virus from the skin without knowing it because they don’t have any symptoms or aren’t aware of them.

Both cold sores and genital herpes can be transferred from mouth to genitals. They can also be passed on to other areas such as the buttocks, hands and eyes.

Signs and Symptoms
Herpes affects people in different ways. Some people may get painful blisters or ulcers and have flu like symptoms when they first get infected, others may only get a red patch with tiny breaks in the genital skin.

Once a person already has herpes they may get recurring outbreaks of the symptoms. Some people may get some symptoms before the blisters/ulcers appear like tingling, nerve pain, itching or a general feeling of ill health and irritability.

Treatment
There are tablets that can control herpes but there is no cure. The tablets should be taken the first time someone catches herpes to stop the possibility of complications. If a person had many outbreaks they may need to take the medication continuously for a period of time to stop the outbreaks occurring.

Prevention
Even though condoms don’t protect you 100% they certainly help to reduce your chances of catching genital herpes.

Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are bacterial infections with
similar symptoms. Chlamydia is one of the most common STIs
in Australia especially in young people 15-25 years of age.

Transmission
Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are easily transmitted from vaginal or
anal sex without a condom. Gonorrhoea can also infect the anus
and the throat from oral and anal sex, without any symptoms at all.

Signs and Symptoms
These infections, especially Chlamydia are often called
silent infections as people may have them and not know and are
still able to pass it on. However, women may notice their
vaginal discharge is different or have bleeding in between
their periods or pain with sex. Men may have pain when peeing
and a discharge from their penis.

Treatment
Both infections are easily cured with a single dose of antibiotics.
Your sexual partners will also need treatment so they don’t give it
back to you or pass it on to someone else. Make an appointment
with your local doctor or sexual health clinic for a simple urine test.

Prevention
Both Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea can be prevented by safe
sex practises.

HIV is a virus that causes damage to the body’s immune system. Over time HIV can develop into AIDS.

Transmission
HIV virus can be found in semen, vaginal secretions and in blood.
HIV is usually passed on by anal or vaginal sex without a condom. It is also passed on from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy, at childbirth or by breastfeeding. HIV can also be transmitted by sharing drug injecting equipment, piercing or tattooing equipment.

Signs and Symptoms
Most people with HIV look and feel perfectly healthy. Some people may develop a fever (with swollen glands, night sweats or rash on the body) in the weeks following infection.
However, many people have no symptoms at all. Some time later HIV may cause conditions including pneumonia, brain infections, skin cancers, severe fungal infections and many other problems – this is AIDS.

Treatment
Although we know a lot about HIV there is still no cure or vaccine. Treatments for HIV have improved dramatically over the last 10 years. Many people with HIV are able to remain well and live healthy lives.

Prevention
HIV can be prevented by safe sex. Also, don’t share drug injecting equipment, piercing or tattooing equipment with anyone.
If you have been exposed to HIV there is a four-week treatment that may prevent you becoming infected. It is called PEP (post exposure prophylaxis). If you think you may have been exposed, you can call the PEP Line–1300 767 161 but you need to do this as soon as possible and not more than 72 hours after exposure!

For more info about other STIs download a copy of the Safe Sex No Regrets booklet