Types of Sexually Transmitted Infections

Chlamydia is a common bacterial infection that is curable with antibiotics. While people can sometimes experience symptoms, many have no symptoms at all. 

Symptoms

Penis*: Itchy urethra, watery or milky discharge from the penis, pain or swelling of testicles.

Anus: Pain, itching, bleeding, and discharge from the rectum (if chlamydia is in the anus or rectum).

Vulva/Vagina*: Bleeding after sex or between periods, pain during intercourse, vaginal discharge.

Throat: Sore throat, cough, swollen lymph nodes and/or fever.

Other:

• Pain in abdomen or lower back for people with vulvas/vaginas.
• Redness, itching, or discharge in the eyes (if chlamydia is in the eyes).
• Pain or burning while urinating.

Note: Not everyone will experience symptoms.

Transmission and Prevention

Chlamydia can be passed on when fluid from a body part where someone has chlamydia (typically the urethra, vagina, anus, or throat) comes in contact with a part of someone’s body that can get chlamydia (again, usually the urethra, vagina, anus, or throat). This is most often through unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sex but can sometimes be from sharing sex toys or genital touching that shares fluids without penetration. 

Using condoms for vaginal or anal sex and dental dams or condoms during oral sex can reduce the chances of getting or passing chlamydia.

Treatment

Chlamydia infections can be treated with either a single dose of antibiotics or multiple doses taken over the course of one week.

Testing

Urine sample or swab sample. You can test after 24-48 hours but results will be most accurate after 2 weeks.

Click here to find an STI testing clinic near you. 

Crabs or pubic lice are parasites that are very itchy and live in the pubic hair.

Symptoms

• Inflammation, itchiness, redness, and irritation in and around the pubic area.
• Small blue spots may be visible where lice have bitten the skin and small black spots or tiny bloodstains may be visible in underwear, clothing, or bedding.

Transmission and Prevention

Transmission of crabs or pubic lice occurs during close physical contact. This can be sexual or non-sexual contact. Transmission can also occur through coming into contact with bedding, towels, or clothing that have crabs/pubic lice in them. 

Avoiding sexual contact or sharing bedding and clothing with anyone with pubic lice until they are treated can reduce the chances of getting or passing pubic lice.

Treatment

Crabs or pubic lice are treated using creams or shampoos purchased at the pharmacy. Clothing, bedding, and towels need to be washed in hot water. Items that cannot be washed should be vacuumed and/or stored in an airtight bag for up to two weeks. Antihistamines can be used to treat itchiness. 

Testing

A health care provider does a visual examination of your pubic area to identify crabs/pubic lice.

Click here to find an STI testing clinic near you. 

Gonorrhea is a common bacterial infection that is curable with antibiotics.

Symptoms

Penis*: Thick, yellow or green discharge, swelling or pain in testicles, itchiness, pain when urinating.

Anus: Bleeding, pain or itching, mucus discharge from rectum.

Vulva/Vagina*: Bleeding after sex or between periods, pain during intercourse, discharge, pain when urinating.

Other:

• Pain in abdomen or lower back for those with vulvas/vaginas.
• Pain, redness, irritation in the throat.
• Redness, itching, or discharge in the eyes (if gonorrhea is in the eyes).

Note: Not everyone will experience symptoms.

Transmission and Prevention

Gonorrhea can be passed on when fluid from a body part where someone has gonorrhea (typically the urethra, vagina, anus, or throat) comes in contact with a part of someone’s body that can get gonorrhea (again, usually the urethra, vagina, anus, or throat). This is most often through unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sex, but can sometimes be from sharing sex toys, or genital touching that shares fluids without penetration. It can also be passed from a pregnant person to their baby during birth. 

Using condoms for vaginal or anal sex and dental dams or condoms for oral sex can reduce the chances of getting or passing gonorrhea. 

Treatment

Gonorrhea is treated using a combination of antibiotics: one oral dose and one dose by injection. If you have gonorrhea, you may also be treated for chlamydia as co-infection is common.

Even if you’ve had gonorrhea and were treated, you can get it again if you have sex with someone who has it. 

Testing

Urine or swab sample. You can test after 24-48 hours, but results are most accurate after 7 days. 

Click here to find an STI testing clinic near you. 

Hepatitis B and C are two different viruses that affect the liver, which filters our blood. Hepatitis B and C can (but do not always) clear up on their own. There is a vaccine available to prevent Hepatitis B. While there is no vaccine to prevent Hepatitis C, there is treatment that can cure it.

Symptoms

Hepatitis B

When there are symptoms, they can range from mild to severe. They usually appear about one to four months after getting the virus, although sometimes they can appear as early as two weeks. Some people experience flu-like symptoms, dark urine, fever, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, a rash, joint pain, or in rare cases, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).

• Acute hepatitis B: Acute hepatitis B infection lasts less than six months. The immune system can often clear acute hepatitis B from the body and recover completely within a few months. Most people who get hepatitis B as adults have an acute infection but it can lead to chronic infection, if left untreated.
• Chronic hepatitis B: Chronic infection lasts at least six months because the immune system cannot clear the infection. Chronic hepatitis B infection may last a lifetime, possibly leading to serious illnesses such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Note: Not everyone will experience symptoms.

Hepatitis C

• Acute phase:  For many people, there are no symptoms during this period. If there are symptoms, these are typically fatigue, weight loss and decreased appetite, flu-like symptoms, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, or light stools. About twenty percent of people clear the virus without treatment.
• Chronic phase: It is usually asymptomatic for many years, sometimes decades, until the virus damages the liver enough to cause liver disease. Symptoms of chronic hepatitis C infection include abdominal swelling, bloody stools, jaundice, trouble sleeping, depression, blood in vomit, itchiness, and possible symptoms affecting the brain.

Note: Not everyone will experience symptoms.

Transmission and Prevention

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B can be passed when blood, semen, or other body fluids from someone with hepatitis B gets into someone else’s body who hasn’t been vaccinated against hepatitis B. This can happen through anal and vaginal* sex as well as through more direct blood contact like sharing needles. In rare cases, hepatitis B can be passed by sharing personal items like toothbrushes or razors. It can also be transmitted from a pregnant person to their baby during birth. 

Using condoms for vaginal or anal sex can reduce the chances of getting or passing hepatitis B.

Using clean equipment and not sharing needles when injecting drugs can reduce the chances of getting or passing hepatitis B.

All provinces and territories in Canada have school or infant hepatitis B vaccination programs. If you have not been vaccinated against hepatitis B, check with your health care provider to see if you are eligible to be vaccinated.

If you are exposed to hepatitis B and haven't been vaccinated, you may be able to receive an injection of antibodies (up to 7 days after needlestick injury and 14 days after sexual contact) followed by vaccination to help avoid infection. 

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C can be passed when blood from someone with hepatitis C gets into someone’s bloodstream. This is possible but not common through anal or vaginal sex when small amounts of blood can get into someone’s body through tiny tears (e.g., from friction or tissue irritation from another STI) or through a mucous membrane. It is more commonly passed through more direct blood contact like sharing needles. Hepatitis C can also be transmitted from a pregnant person to their baby during birth.

Using condoms for anal or vaginal sex can reduce the chances of getting or passing hepatitis C. Using clean equipment and not sharing needles when injecting drugs can reduce the chances of getting or passing hepatitis C.

Treatment

Hepatitis B

There is no cure for hepatitis B.However, most people recover fully in approximately six months. Antiviral medications can be used to manage hepatitis B symptoms.

Hepatitis C

Chronic hepatitis C is usually curable with oral medications taken every day for two to six months. Speak with your health care provider about the best regiment for you.

Testing

Testing for both hepatitis B and C is done through blood work. 

Click here to find an STI testing clinic near you. 

Herpes is a common virus that can cause painful sores that appear on and around the genitals, anus, or mouth. There are two strains. HSV-1 most often appears on the mouth but can happen on the anus or genitals. HSV-2 usually appears on the anus or genitals but can rarely happen on the mouth as well

Symptoms

Genital Symptoms

For people who have symptoms, the first outbreak is usually the most severe. The ones after are usually less severe and for many people those outbreaks will happen less often over time. When they do happen, the symptoms are usually painful blisters (one or many in clusters) in the genital or anal area; these crust over and heal within one to two weeks. These may be accompanied by an itchy, tingling, burning, or painful sensation in the skin surrounding the sores. 

Symptoms can also include pain in the legs or butt, swollen and tender lymph nodes in the groin area, thin watery discharge from the vagina*, fever, headache, or muscle ache (for most people, these symptoms only occur during the initial infection). 

When genital herpes is caused by HSV-1, outbreaks happen less often than when it is caused by HSV-2. 

Recurrent outbreaks are often preceded by tingling, burning, or itching in the affected area up to several days before the sores appear.

Oral Symptoms

Tingling or burning can indicate that an outbreak (a flare-up of symptoms) may happen soon. Blisters on the lips and inside the mouth, which many call cold sores, will crust over as time passes. Symptoms typically resolve within one to two weeks.

Other

Pain during urination, inflammation of the nervous system in some cases (aseptic meningitis), swollen lymph nodes, flu-like symptoms.

Note: Not everyone will experience symptoms.

Transmission and Prevention

Herpes can be passed when the skin where someone has herpes (typically their genitals, anus, or mouth) comes in contact with an area of someone’s body that can get herpes (again, usually their genitals, anus, or mouth).

There are two strains of the herpes virus. HSV-1 commonly causes cold sores around the mouth but it can be passed to someone’s genitals or anus through oral sex. HSV-2 is more commonly found on the genitals or anus but in rare cases, it can be passed to someone’s mouth through oral sex. It can also be passed from a pregnant person to their baby during birth. If you have herpes, you are most likely to be able to pass it on during an outbreak or in the few days before or after one. 

Condoms and dental dams can be highly effective at lowering the chance of getting or passing herpes if they cover the area where the outbreaks happen. If sores happen on areas not covered by the condom or dam, they are less effective. One way to reduce the chance of passing herpes is to avoid unprotected sex or skin-to-skin contact when the partner who has herpes has active sores or early symptoms of a breakout (e.g., tingling sensations, fatigue), and for a few days after sores heal.

Treatment

While there is no known cure for herpes, anti-viral medications are effective in decreasing the duration and severity of herpes outbreaks when they happen. Some people also decide to take anti-viral medication daily to prevent outbreaks and lower chances of transmission. Other ways to reduce outbreaks can include taking a high dose of lysine and vitamin C daily and reducing triggers such as sunburn, stress, and lack of sleep.

Speak with your health care provider about which regimen is best for you.

Testing

Herpes is typically tested by swabbing a herpes sore during an outbreak. 

There is a blood test for herpes, but it is less accurate than other STI tests and does not tell you where you might have it (on your mouth, genitals, or anus) or if you will ever have an outbreak. Blood testing for herpes is not usually covered by provincial or territorial health insurance. 

Click here to find an STI testing clinic near you. 
 

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV spreads through the body and targets the immune system making it hard for the body to fight off illnesses.

There is no known cure for HIV but it can be treated. People who are HIV-positive can and do live long, full, and healthy lives (including family, sexual, and love lives) when the virus is managed.

Symptoms

Acute phase:  Within two to four weeks of getting the virus, some people will have flu-like symptoms like fever and body aches, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and headache. Some people will also have an itchy reddish or purplish rash. Symptoms may last a few days or up to 2-3 weeks.

Asymptomatic phase: After the acute phase of HIV infection, HIV is still active but reproduces at very low levels. In this phase, people may not have any HIV-related symptoms or only mild ones.

AIDS: If HIV is not treated with medication, it can lead to being diagnosed with AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). AIDS symptoms include a severely repressed immune system that can make the body vulnerable to infection and cause serious health problems.

Note: Not everyone will experience symptoms.

Transmission and Prevention

HIV can be passed when body fluids that can carry HIV from someone who has HIV and is not on effective treatment gets into someone else’s body through a path the HIV can enter. HIV can be present in blood, semen, anal and vaginal* secretions, and human milk. HIV can enter the body through a mucous membrane (like the tissue of the genitals and anus) or by getting into the bloodstream through a tear or puncture. This can happen through anal or vaginal sex, and rarely through oral sex. HIV can also be passed through more direct blood contact like sharing needles.

HIV can also be passed from a pregnant person to their baby during birth, and through chest or breast feeding. With treatment, the chance of this happening is very low.

Using condoms for vaginal or anal sex and dental dams or condoms for oral sex can reduce the chances of getting or passing HIV.

Using clean equipment and not sharing needles when injecting drugs can reduce the chances of getting or passing HIV.

U=U (Undetectable equals untransmittable): For someone who has HIV, taking HIV treatment medication can stop the virus from replicating and lower the chances that it can be passed to others. If the number of copies of the virus found in someone’s blood goes below a certain level, their HIV is considered “undetectable.” When the amount of virus in someone’s body is this low, the virus cannot be passed through sex.

PrEP: For someone who does not have HIV, PrEP (or pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a daily dose of HIV medication that can reduce the chances of getting HIV from partners who might have it.

PEP: Post-exposure prophylaxis or PEP is a daily dose of HIV medication that can be started up to 72 hours after coming in contact (or potentially coming in contact) with HIV to reduce the chance of getting HIV.

Managing other STIs: Getting regular STI testing and getting treated for other STIs you may have can lower your chances of getting or passing HIV because having other STIs can make it easier for HIV to get into certain tissues.

Treatment

While there is no cure for HIV, it can be managed with treatment and people living with HIV can live long and healthy lives. Treatment through antiretroviral therapy (ART) is effective in managing the virus and protecting the immune system and can even result in an undetectable viral load (a reduction of the number of copies of the HIV virus in your blood). When your viral load is undetectable, you cannot transmit HIV to a partner. 

Treatment regimens usually include a combination of different medications, which may be combined into one or more daily pills or sometimes more long-acting injectable options. People getting treatment for HIV continue to take their medication on a regular ongoing basis to keep the virus from replicating.

Testing

Testing for HIV is done by blood work. 95% of antibody tests (tests that look for your body’s response to the virus) will be accurate after 4-5 weeks. It can take up to 6 weeks or 3 months for the most accurate possible result, depending on the laboratory facilities available. Check with your provider about the window period in your area. Antigen tests (tests that look more directly for the presence of the virus) can test for HIV between 2 and 6.5 weeks after exposure.

The different types of HIV testing include:

• Point of Care HIV Testing (or Rapid Testing)+ is done by pricking your finger and testing your blood while you wait. If you test negative, you receive your results immediately. If you test reactive (or the test result is uncertain), the clinic will take a blood sample and send it to the Public Health laboratory for standard testing. 
  
  +This is not available everywhere. Check with your Public Health Unit to see if Point of Care testing is offered near you.
   
• Lab-based testing uses a small sample of blood taken from a vein in your arm. The blood sample is sent to a lab for testing and results come back one to three weeks later. 

Anonymity and Confidentiality

HIV testing can be done anonymously or health care providers may take your name and some identifying information.

Anonymous Testing

When you take an anonymous test, your name or your identity is not requested, recorded, or reported. You are given a code to use to get your results. Neither the fact that you got tested nor your test results are added to your healthcare record. If the test is positive, it is reported to your local Public Health Unit without any identifying information about you. Depending on where you are, you may be able to access anonymous testing in some sexual health clinics. To help you find a site that offers anonymous testing (or to know if anonymous testing is available in your province), contact your local AIDS Service Organization or Public Health Unit.

Nominal or Name-Based HIV Testing

Nominal or name-based HIV testing is offered in many places like walk-in clinics and family doctor’s offices as well as sexual health clinics. The test is ordered under your name and the test and its results are recorded in your healthcare record.

If the HIV test result is positive, your health care provider is required by law to notify your local Public Health Unit and may include your name, depending on your province. While this kind of HIV test is not anonymous, it is confidential. Your health care provider is held to professional standards around sharing this information about you.

Non-Nominal or Non-Identifying HIV Testing 

In non-nominal or non-identifying HIV testing the test and its results are recorded in your healthcare record but the test is ordered using a code or your initials so the lab doesn’t have identifying information about you. If the HIV test result is positive, your health care provider is required by law to notify the local Public Health Unit and may include your name, depending on your province or territory. While this kind of HIV test is not fully anonymous, the result is confidential. Your health care provider is held to professional standards around sharing this information about you.

Click here to learn more about Privacy and Confidentiality.

Click here to find an STI testing clinic near you. 

HPV stands for Human Papillomavirus. There are over 40 known strains of HPV that live in the genitals, anus, and throat. Some strains cause anogenital warts while some cause changes to the cells of the cervix, rectum, throat, or other tissues that can develop into health problems like some cancers. Most sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their life. 

Symptoms

Warts that may look like small, flesh coloured cauliflower growths (a collection or mound of bubble-like growths) on the vulva*, penis*, scrotum*, anus, and surrounding areas.

Note: Not everyone will experience symptoms.

Transmission and Prevention

HPV can be passed when the skin where someone has HPV (typically their genitals, anus, or mouth) comes in contact with an area of someone’s body that can get HPV (again, usually their genitals, anus, or mouth). In rare cases, HPV can also be transmitted from a pregnant person to their baby during birth.

Condoms and dental dams can be highly effective at lowering the chance of getting or passing HPV if they cover the area where the outbreaks happen. If warts happen on areas not covered by the condom or dam, they are less effective. One way to reduce the  chance of passing HPV is to avoid unprotected sex or skin-to-skin contact when the partner who has HPV has active warts and for a few days after the warts heal.

HPV Vaccination

HPV vaccines protect against some strains of HPV that can lead to genital warts and cervical, vaginal, and anal cancers.

The vaccines available in Canada are:

• 2-Valent HPV Vaccine (Cervarix): effective against the two most common cancer-causing strains of HPV (16 and 18). 
• 4-Valent HPV Vaccine (Gardasil): effective against the four most common strains of HPV (6, 11, 16, and 18). 
• 9-Valent HPV Vaccine (Gardasil 9): effective against nine strains of HPV (6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58).
   
• Vaccination won’t clear a strain you already have or give protection against a strain you’ve had in the past. It’s recommended to get vaccinated as early as possible to have the best chance of not having had the strains it protects against yet.
• Gardasil and Cervarix are demonstrated as effective for people aged 9 to 26, regardless of sexual activity. The vaccines can also be administered for people over 26 (they can still benefit from the protection it offers).
• HPV vaccines are given within six months as two doses if you are 14 or younger, or three doses if you are over 14.
• Many Public Health Units offer free vaccination to children in school or through other vaccination programs. Contact your health care provider or local Public Health Unit to find out if you are eligible for a free vaccination.
• If you are not eligible for a free vaccination, some private insurance plans may cover the cost of vaccination. Without coverage, each dose of an HPV vaccine can cost $100-$225 depending on the vaccine.

Treatment

For anal or genital warts, they can be treated at the time of an outbreak with topical creams/gels or by removing the warts with liquid nitrogen.

Testing

Genital warts caused by HPV are diagnosed through visual inspection by a health care provider. 

Routine Pap tests can find cervical or anal changes that are likely to be caused by HPV. Blood tests can also be used to look for HPV DNA and detect which strain of HPV you may have but may not be used routinely or covered by provincial health insurance, depending on your age and medical history.

Click here to find an STI testing clinic near you. 

Scabies is an infestation of the skin by the human itch mite, where microscopic mites burrow into the upper layer of the skin and lay their eggs, causing itchiness and irritation.

Symptoms

Itchiness and rash particularly occurring at night time. The mites prefer warm locations on the body like the hands and wrists, armpits, waist, in folds of skin, and around genitals.

Transmission and Prevention

Scabies is passed through close contact, sexual and non-sexual. Because scabies can live in bedding, towels, and clothes, sharing these items can also pass the mites.

Avoiding close contact or sharing bedding and clothing with anyone who has scabies before treatment is over can reduce the chances of getting or passing scabies.

Treatment

Scabies can be treated using creams or shampoos purchased at the pharmacy. Clothing, bedding, and towels can be washed in hot water. Items that cannot be washed can be vacuumed and/or stored in an airtight bag for up to two weeks. Antihistamines can be used to treat itchiness. 

Testing

Testing for scabies is performed using a skin scraping to remove and examine the mite under a microscope or through the burrow ink test where washable marker is applied to a bump or mite “burrow” on the skin. If there are scabies, they will burrow under the skin and an ink line may be visible.

Click here to find an STI testing clinic near you. 

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is curable with antibiotics.

Symptoms

If untreated, syphilis progresses through four stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. Each stage has different symptoms.

Primary Syphilis (3 days to 3 months after exposure)

Small, generally painless sore where the bacteria entered the body. This can be on the anus, genitals, or throat. The sore heals on its own but the bacteria remain in the body.

Secondary Syphilis (6 weeks to 6 months after exposure)

Flu-like symptoms (fever, malaise, swollen glands, muscle and joint pain, headaches), weight loss, hair loss, or a specific rash. The rash can look like rough, red, or reddish-brown spots on the palms of your hands and/or the bottoms of your feet. Sometimes it shows up elsewhere on the body. These rashes are not itchy and may stay from two to six weeks.

Latent Syphilis (this phase can last from months to years)

During this phase, people often have no symptoms. 

Tertiary Syphilis (2 to 30+ years)

If left untreated during the previous three stages, tertiary syphilis can cause long-term major health complications to the heart, brain, bones, and blood vessels. 

Note: Not everyone will experience symptoms.

Transmission and Prevention

Syphilis can be passed when a body part where someone has a syphilis sore (typically the anus, genitals, or throat) comes in contact with a part of someone’s body that can get syphilis (again, usually the anus, genitals, or throat). This is most often through unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sex, but can sometimes be from sharing sex toys, or genital touching without penetration.

Condoms and dental dams can be highly effective at lowering the chance of getting or passing syphilis if they cover the area where the syphilis sore is.

Treatment

Syphilis is treated with antibiotics, usually an injection of penicillin.

Testing

Syphilis is most commonly tested for by a blood test but can sometimes be tested for with a swab of a possible syphilis sore. Syphilis has a window period of 3-4 weeks but some guidelines will suggest a repeat test after 3 months.

Click here to find an STI testing clinic near you. 

Trichomoniasis or “trich” is a parasite that can be spread during sex. 

Symptoms

Penis*: Pain or burning after urinating or ejaculating, irritation and pain in the urethra, discharge.

Vulva*: Off-white, yellow or green vaginal discharge, foul smelling discharge, pain during intercourse, itchiness. Pain or burning after urinating.

Note: Not everyone will experience symptoms.

Transmission and Prevention

Trichomoniasis can be passed when fluid from a body part where someone has trichomoniasis (typically the vagina or urethra) comes in contact with a part of someone’s body that can get trichomoniasis (again, usually the vagina or urethra). This can be through various kinds of sexual contact that shares fluids, including sharing sex toys and genital touching without penetration.

Condoms and dental dams can be highly effective at lowering the chance of getting or passing trichomoniasis if they are fully preventing fluid contact between peoples bodies.

Treatment

Trichomoniasis is treated with oral antibiotics (taken by mouth).

Testing

To test for trichomoniasis, a swab is used to collect discharge and the discharge is examined under a microscope.

Click here to find an STI testing clinic near you. 

You may have also heard the following terms, we’ve let you know which heading you can find the information under!

• The clap is gonorrhoea
• Cupid’s itch is general slang for STIs
• Pubic lice is crabs