STI Information
STIs or STDs are infections that are transmitted through
close bodily contact or the exchange of body fluids such as semen (cum) blood,
mucus or saliva. Sexual contact includes penetrative sex, sucking, touching,
fingering or kissing/licking the anus or penis. Below you will find information
on STI symptoms so you can recognize them early and get tested.
Get Tested Regularly
Sure, good idea, but when, where and how often? STI symptoms
are a good indicator that you need to get tested, but not all STIs have obvious
symptoms so a regular STI checkup is a good idea.
The more sex partners you have, the more often you should
get tested. At least yearly if you have any casual partners and 3-6 monthly if
you have a lot. This reduces the chances of having an undiagnosed STI or STD
that can harm your own health as well as increase your risk of picking up or
passing on HIV.
Some of the places you can get tested are your Doctor,
Social Hygiene Clinics, Public/Private Hospitals and Laboratories.
Here are some common STI's:
Chlamydia
Description
Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that can infect the mucus
lining of the penis, anus or eyes.
Transmission
Chlamydia is easily transmitted by anal sex, oral sex ,
rimming or fingering. Touching an infected area and then touching your own penis
or anus can pass on the infection.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms may appear between 7 and 21 days after infection,
but can be mild or in some cases absent. Symptoms can include a discharge from
the penis, pain when urinating or pain during sex. If not treated Chlamydia may
decrease fertility.
Testing
Chlamydia can be detected by a swab collected from the anus
or by a urine sample. It is preferable not to piss for an hour before giving
the sample.
Treatment
Chlamydia is easily cured with antibiotics.
If You’re HIV
Positive
If diagnosed early, Chlamydia is easily treatable but if
left untreated it can also increase the risk of HIV being passed on.
Prevention
Using condoms is not completely safe for Chlamydia but
provides the best protection. Washing your hands with soap and water
immediately after sex can also help prevent transmission, especially if having
sex with multiple partners.
Gonorrhoea (the clap)
Description
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection that lives in the mucus
lining of the penis, throat, anus or eyes.
Transmission
It can be transmitted through giving or receiving oral sex,
anal sex, and fingering or fisting. Touching an infected person’s penis and
anus, and then touching your own penis, anus or eyes can also transmit
gonorrhoea.
Signs and Symptoms
If symptoms are present they will usually develop within 2
to 10 days. Many people who have gonorrhoea will show no symptoms,
particularly if they have it in the throat or anus. If the infection is in
the anus, the symptoms may include a discharge or pain during bowel
movements. If it is in the penis, there may be a clear or yellowish
discharge from the dick and stinging or pain when pissing.
Testing
Gonorrhoea can be detected by a urethral swab or urine test
as well as swabs collected from the anus or throat. It is preferable to hold
your bladder for at least one hour prior to having a urine test.
Treatment
Gonorrhoea is cured with antibiotics, however recent strains
are becoming increasingly antibiotic resistant. If gonorrhoea is in the anus or
throat there will be no symptoms therefore a follow-up test may be required to
ensure the antibiotics are effective. Sexual contact should be avoided for
at least a week to ensure the infection has cleared after treatment.
If You’re HIV
Positive
If diagnosed early, gonorrhoea is easily treatable, but if
left untreated it can increase the risk of HIV being passed on.
Prevention
Using condoms is not completely safe for gonorrhoea but
provides the best protection. Washing your hands with soap and water immediately
after sex can also help prevent transmission, especially if having sex with
multiple partners.
Hepatitis A, B &
C
There are 3 different kinds of Hepatitis each have different
symptoms and different treatments.
Hepatitis A
Description
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis A is a
virus which can cause inflammation of the liver.
Transmission
It is transmitted through small quantities of infected stool
entering a person’s mouth through activities like anal-play, rimming, and by
not washing your hands properly after sex with an infected person. It can also
be passed on by using eating and drinking utensils previously used by an
infected person. People are infectious for around 3 weeks, starting 2 weeks
before they develop symptoms to about a week afterwards.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms can include a mild flu-like illness, vomiting,
abdominal pain and jaundice.
Testing
Hepatitis A can be detected by a blood test.
Treatment
People with Hepatitis A infection should avoid drugs,
alcohol, excessively fatty diets, or anything that may affect the liver. If you
suspect that you have Hepatitis A you should see your doctor.
If You’re HIV
Positive
While Hepatitis A will not seriously impact upon HIV, it may
lead to difficulties with compliance with anti-retroviral medication if there
is severe nausea and vomiting.
Prevention
People who get Hepatitis A will recover and develop
permanent immunity to the virus.
An effective vaccination against Hepatitis A is available. A
combination Hepatitis A & B vaccination is also available. Gamma globulin
can also be used to provide immediate protection against Hepatitis A for
unimmunised people at high risk of infection.
Hepatitis B
Description
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis B is a
virus which causes this.
Transmission
It is transmitted by infected blood or semen entering a
person’s bloodstream through activities such as unprotected sex, sharing
injecting equipment, toothbrushes or razors, oral sex, tattooing or body
piercing with unsterile equipment.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms, which if they are present will show up 1-6 months
after exposure, may include loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea, yellowing of
the skin and eyes (jaundice) and dark urine.
Testing
Hepatitis B can be detected by a blood test.
Treatment
Most people recover from Hepatitis B. Some retain the virus
in their body – there are treatments for these people.
If You’re HIV
Positive
Co-infection with both HIV and Hepatitis B may lead to more
rapid progression of Hepatitis B to liver cancer. Treatment for Hepatitis B may
also be less successful and limited by resistance to some antiviral medications
that may already have been used for HIV treatment.
Prevention
There is an effective Hepatitis B vaccination. A combination
Hepatitis A&B vaccination
is also available.
Hepatitis C
Description
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis C (HCV)
is a virus that causes serious damage to the liver. For some people this can
lead to cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver, and eventually liver failure and
death after many years.
Transmission
The virus is spread by blood to blood contact. Most
Hepatitis C is transmitted by sharing injecting equipment or other blood
contact. Strictly speaking Hep C isn’t considered an STI, however there is now
definitive evidence that it is being passed on during sex – and especially
during group sex. It can be transmitted when tiny amounts of blood are present
on fingers, fists, sex toys or penis which are moved from one anus to the next
without being cleaned.
Signs and Symptoms
In the early stages of Hepatitis C, symptoms may be absent
and they can take years after the initial infection to show up. If they are
present, symptoms may include fatigue, nausea, pain under the ribs, sweating
and intolerance of fatty diets.
75% of people infected with Hep C may carry the virus in
their blood for life/ 15% of these people may develop cirrhosis of the liver. A
small number of people with cirrhosis may develop liver cancer or liver
failure.
Testing
Hepatitis C can be detected by a blood test.
Treatment
Maintaining a healthy diet, reducing alcohol intake and
cutting down on smoking can improve the body’s ability to cope with Hepatitis
C.
If You’re HIV
Positive
Co-infection with Hepatitis C and HIV is not uncommon,
though many who are co-infected are unaware of it. Co-infection is dangerous
because it can speed up the progress of both infections and make both more
difficult to treat.
Prevention
People who inject drugs and share equipment are at a high
risk of contracting Hepatitis C. Wash hands, penis, sex toys and change condoms
and gloves when moving from anus to another during group sex.
Herpes (HSV)
Description
There are two types of HSV:
Type 1 is usually found around the mouth and is commonly
known as a cold sore
Type 2 is usually found around the penis and anus areas and
is commonly known as genital herpes
Transmission
Herpes can be passed on both sexually and non-sexually
during skin to skin contact, by direct contact with a sore on the mouth, penis
and anus, and can also be transmitted where there are no obvious symptoms
present.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms may not always be present, but can include:
Itching or tingling feeling around the infected area
An outbreak of painful blisters or sores which later form
scabs
Flu-like symptoms may be present
Testing
A physical examination of the affected area can detect a
herpes outbreak.
Treatment
There is no cure, but there are treatments that can reduce
symptoms and speed up recovery. The possibility of repeated outbreaks varies
from person to person, but outbreaks may become less frequent and over time may
stop all together.
If You’re HIV
Positive
Outbreaks of HSV can be more sever and last longer for those
with HIV. HIV viral loads can peak during outbreaks and increase transmission
risk to partners of both HSV and HIV.
Prevention
Condoms can reduce the risk of transmission.
There is strong evidence that taking anti-HSV medications
greatly reduces the risk of passing herpes on to partners.
HIV
Description
HIV is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus that causes failure
of part of the immune system. The immune system is important because it defends
the body from infection and disease. HIV infects and destroys key cells in the
body. It particularly targets a cell called CD4 (also known as a T4 cell, or
T-helper cell). CD4 cells are an essential component of the immune system which
it is important in protecting the body against infection and disease.
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) refers to a range
of specific illness that people with HIV may get when their immune system is
badly damaged. These illnesses include infections and cancers.
The presence of HIV in the body is not an AIDS diagnosis.
Having HIV in your body does not mean you have AIDS. It is possible to have HIV
for many years but show no symptoms that define AIDS.
Transmission
HIV is only infectious in blood, semen (pre-cum), vaginal
fluids, and breast milk. A person can only become infected with HIV if one of
these bodily fluids containing HIV gets into their body and passes into their
bloodstream. For gay men, the main ways in which this occurs is through
unprotected anal sex (fucking and being fucked without a condom) or sharing
injecting equipment during drug use. For HIV positive men the presence of other
STIs increases the levels of HIV in semen, and therefore increases the risk of
HIV transmission. Similarly, HIV may be present in genital ulcers caused by
other STIs at levels high enough for HIV transmission to occur. For HIV
negative men having another STI can cause inflammation in the site of infection
or ulcers, which increase the chance of picking up HIV.
Signs and Symptoms
HIV seroconversion is the term used to describe the process
when someone goes from being HIV negative to being HIV positive. This usually
happens within 3 months of infection.
Some people show no signs of HIV infection. Others
experience seroconversion illness which can include flu-like symptoms, fever,
rashes, a sore throat and swollen glands. Some people who experience a
late diagnosies may go on to develop an AIDS defining illness.
Testing
The Test for HIV is an antibody test. Antibodies are the
immune system’s response to infection. It takes on average 3 months for the
body to produce antibodies. So if an antibody test is done during this window
period it is likely to show up negative. There’s the Rapid HIV Test (it’s like
a Pregnancy Kit Test) wherein with just a drop of your blood and a reagent will
reveal your HIV result in 20-30mins. The standard test to detect HIV antibodies
in the blood is the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The Result of
The Rapid HIV Test and The ELISA Test if reveals a Reactive (Positive) result
should be tested again and confirmed by a Western Blot test.
Treatment
There is no vaccine or cure for HIV, but there are numerous
HIV treatment options available. Treatment for HIV is currently provided by
highly active anti-viral therapy (HAART). These medications attack the virus at
different points and stages in its life-cycle. It inhibits the cell replication
of the HIV Virus giving your Immune system time also to replicate again.
Prevention
When used correctly condoms are by far the most
effective way to prevent HIV being picked up or passed on.
For HIV negative men, giving oral sex is considered low
risk. Having cuts or sores in your mouth, having an STI in your throat or
having had recent dental work increases the risk. During these times, using a
condom, avoiding getting semen in your mouth, or avoiding oral sex altogether
will lower the risk.
For HIV positive guys, having an STI will increase the
chances of passing on HIV when receiving oral sex (when someone sucks you).
Getting tested regularly and not ejaculating on your partner’s mouth will
reduce this risk.
HPV (Warts)
Description
HPV is the virus that can cause warts on the penis, anus or
surrounding areas. HPV is very common with more than 75% of sexually active
people getting the infection, usually between the ages of 18-25. Only about 10%
of people who get HPV infection actually get warts. The rest usually don’t know
they have it.
Transmission
Warts are passed on by any skin to skin contact with an
infected person.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms include small bumpy warts around the penis,
scrotum, anus, or discomfort when going to the toilet if the inside of the anus
is infected, but they can also be painless. There may be no symptoms at all.
If symptoms are present they will generally appear 2-3
months after being infected, but can take much longer. Outbreaks of warts can then
appear periodically.
Testing
A physical examination of the infected area is all that is
needed to detect warts.
Treatment
There is currently no cure for genital or anal warts, but a
doctor can remove the warts by freezing, burning using laser, or by applying
liquid wart-paint or creams. Warts can recur and treatment sometimes requires
several visits.
If you’re HIV
Positive
Outbreaks of warts can be more severe and harder to treat in
HIV positive men. Some types of genital wart virus have been linked to a
greater risk of anal cancer. This risk appears even greater for HIV positive
men.
Prevention
Condoms can reduce the risk of transmission but do not
always cover the infected area. The warts may be present on the scrotum or anal
area.
A HPV vaccine is available.
Molloscum Contagiosum
Description
Molloscum Contagiosum (MC) is a virus that causes pimple
like lumps on the body
Transmission
MC is transferred by direct skin-to-skin contact with
someone who the infection. It can be transmitted through sexual and non-sexual
contact.
Signs and Symptoms
If symptoms are present they will usually appear within 2-7
weeks after contact with someone who has the virus.
Testing
It is detected by careful examination of the skin.
Treatment
MC is easily treated by freezing the lumps off the body.
Alternatively the core of the lump, which contains the virus, can be extracted
with a fine needle. The virus stays in the skin for life.
Prevention
There are no specific means to prevent you picking up MC,
however getting treated quickly will reduce the chances of passing it on and
will reduce the amount of MC in the community.
Pubic Lice (crabs)
Description
Crabs, or Pubic Lice, are small parasites that grip onto the
hair in the genital area.
Transmission
They are most commonly passed on by close body contact
with someone who has crabs.
As crabs and their eggs can survive for some time away from
the body, it is also possible to catch them by sharing towels, clothes or
someone else’s bed.
Signs and Symptoms
The most common symptom of pubic lice is itching in the
pubic hair. Close inspection should reveal tiny lice clinging to the hair.
There may also be nits (eggs) attached to the hair shaft. Crabs can also be
found in beards, armpits, on chest hair and on the eyelashes.
They usually show up from 3 days to several weeks.
Testing
An external physical examination will show the presence of
crabs
Treatment
Crabs are easily cured by using appropriate genital lice
shampoos and creams available over the counter at pharmacies. Shaving the pubic
area will not get rid of crabs.
All bed-linen, clothes, towels and underwear should be
washed in a hot soapy wash. Sexual partners and anyone in close physical
contact should also be treated to avoid re-infection.
It is also advisable to repeat the treatment after several
days.
Scabies
Description
Scabies are tiny mites (smaller than crabs) that
burrow under the skin to lay eggs.
Transmission
Scabies are passed on through skin-to-skin contact, both
sexual and non-sexual.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms are usually noticed within four weeks.
The most common symptom is intense itching which is caused
when the mites burrow under the skin. The burrowing causes fine red marks on
the skin. The mites like warm areas of skin, such as the groin or armpits. They
are also found in the spaces between the fingers and toes. Itching is usually
worse while warm, like when in bed.
Testing
Scabies are detected by examining itchy area under a bright
light.
Treatment
Scabies are cured by using the appropriate scabies lotions
available at pharmacies. All bed linen, towels, and underwear that has come in
contact with the infected area should be washed in a hot soapy wash. Sexual
partners and anyone in close physical contact should also be treated to avoid
reinfection. It is also advisable to repeat the treatment after 7 to 10 days.
If You’re HIV
Positive
Severe immunosuppression can lead to difficulty eradicating
scabies but otherwise people with HIV are not affected differently to others.
Prevention
There are no specific means to prevent you picking up
scabies, however getting them treated quickly will reduce the risk of
transmission to others and will lessen the among of scabies in the community.
Syphilis
Description
Syphilis is a bacterial infection that infects the penis, throat or anus and then spreads to different
parts of the body through the bloodstream. If left untreated syphilis can cause
damage to the nerves, bones, skin, eyes and brain.
Transmission
Syphilis is usually caught by touching sores and rashes of
someone with the infection during sex and including giving or receiving oral
sex, or anal play. Someone can pass on syphilis for up to two years after they
become infected – even if they have no symptoms. When there are no symptoms,
the infection can be passed on through contact with infected body fluids like semen.
Signs and Symptoms
Some people never develop symptoms and in others it’s easy
for the early symptoms to go unnoticed. Syphilis has infectious and
non-infectious stages.
Infectious Stage: Syphilis can produce a painless
sore on the peins, in the anus or in the mouth 10 – 90 days after infection.
The sore usually turns into a scab and heals after two to six weeks but the
infection remains. Only areas covered by condoms, gloves or dental dams are
protected from infection.
7 to 10 weeks after infection some people develop a rash on
the torso (body), hands or feet. Symptoms may also include fever, swollen lymph
glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, muscle aches, and fatigue.
The symptoms lay last up to a few months and then disappear.
Non-infectious Syphilis: If left untreated,
syphilis remains in the body. It stops being infectious to sexual partners
after about 2 years. During the non-infectious stage syphilis may begin to
damage the body’s internal organs, which may include the brain, nerves, eyes,
heart, liver, heart bones, joints and blood vessels. In some people this damage
may not show up for many years. Damage to the internal organs can occur after
10 -25 years and may be serious enough to cause death.
Testing
If a sore (called a chancre) is present, a swab can be used
to test, however the usual test for syphilis is a blood test. It can take up to
3 months after exposure for the
infection to show up in the blood test. Once someone has been infected with
syphilis most future blood tests will show up as positive – even if they have
been successfully treated. A particular test is used to identify a new
infection – as well as to see if treatment has worked.
Treatment
Syphilis is treated with injections of antibiotics. The
duration of treatment depends on the stage of the infection and ranges from
between 1 and 30 days. Treatment is often provided if you have had contact with
someone who has had syphilis to prevent it developing in you.
If You’re HIV Positive
Syphilis is harder to detect and harder to treat in people
with HIV. It is a serious infection that can be mistaken for other infections
found in people living with HIV. While the symptoms of syphilis are usually
similar, some HIV positive men develop severe organ and nerve damage much more
rapidly than HIV negative men. For some syphilis can decrease the CD4 count
(therefore causing damage to the immune system) as well as increase the viral
load.
Having syphilis increases the risk of HIV transmission.
Prevention
Avoid contact with any sores or rashes. Safe sex, for HIV,
is not completely safe for syphilis, but provides the best protection.
Thrush (Candidiasis)
Description Thrush
(also known as Candidiasis) is an infection caused by a yeast called Candida
Albicans.
Transmission
It is normal to have small amounts of this yeast in the
genital area, but a range of factors can cause the yeast to overgrow. These
factors can include recent antibiotics, soaps and detergents, and tight
clothing that promotes excessive sweating.
Signs and Symptoms
Thrush can appear in the mouth, or on your dick and
sometimes in your anus. It is not an STI but it is something related to sex.
Symptoms include redness, rash or itching on the part of the
body infected. Thrush is more likely to occur if you are HIV positive.
Testing
Thrush is diagnosed by a simple genital examination, but can
be confirmed by a swab collected from the infected area.
Treatment
Thrush is treated with anti-fungal creams or tablets.
If You’re HIV
Positive
Thrush on the penis, scrotum, anus and throat are more
common and more severe for people with HIV. Some oral anti-fungal treatments
can interact badly with HIV meds, so always check with your HIV doctor before
taking them.
Prevention
To avoid recurrences uncircumcised men should wash (with
water only) and dry under their foreskin daily. It may also help to wear light
cotton underwear and avoid tight restrictive clothing.
IF YOU FEEL ANYTHING STRANGE THAT IS HAPPENING TO YOUR BODY PLEASE DO CONSULT A DOCTOR, NOT THE INTERNET.
Again, this is JaKePositive. BE SAFE! +)
SOURCE: http://www.getiton.co.nz/sti-info/
