Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that can affect the throat, vagina, penis, anus or eyes.

It is passed on through giving or receiving oral sex, vaginal sex or anal sex (including penetration, fingering, fisting and sharing sex toys) with a person who has chlamydia.

Symptoms

Chlamydia often has no symptoms, which means you can have chlamydia and pass it on without knowing about it.

If there are symptoms, they commonly include:

• irregular discharge
• genital/pelvic pain
• pain during sex, when passing urine or upon ejaculation
• irregular bleeding between periods or after sex.

Diagnosis

Chlamydia can be tested for with a urine test and swabs of the throat, vagina and anus. A chlamydia test should be included in a standard asymptomatic sexual health test.

Treatment

Treatment involves oral antibiotics, with a goal to cure the infection. However, this does not prevent getting the infection again.

Prevention

You can reduce transmission of chlamydia by using condoms and other barriers during sex and, if recommended for you, using doxy-PEP.

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection that can affect the throat, vagina, penis, anus or eyes.

It is passed on through giving or receiving oral sex, vaginal sex or anal sex, (including penetration, fingering, fisting and sharing sex toys) with a person who has gonorrhoea.

Symptoms

Gonorrhoea often has no symptoms, which means you can have gonorrhoea and pass it on without knowing about it.

If there are symptoms, they commonly include:

• irregular discharge
• genital pain or discomfort
• pain during sex or when passing urine
• irregular bleeding between periods or after sex.

Diagnosis

Gonorrhoea can be tested for with a urine test and swabs of the throat, vagina and anus. A gonorrhoea test should be included in a standard asymptomatic sexual health test.

Treatment

Treatment involves antibiotics which are given orally and by injection, with a goal to cure the infection. However, this does not prevent getting the infection again.

Prevention

You can reduce transmission of gonorrhoea by using condoms and other barriers during sex.

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that can affect your throat, vagina, penis or anus.

It is passed on through giving or receiving oral sex, vaginal sex or anal sex (including penetration, fingering, fisting and sharing sex toys) and skin-to-skin contact with a person who has syphilis.

Symptoms

Syphilis often has no symptoms, which means you can have syphilis and pass it on without knowing about it.

If there are symptoms, they can depend on the length of time you’ve had the infection:

• In the first 2 to 3 months, common symptoms can include small red sores on the genitals.
• From 2 to 6 months, symptoms can include rashes on the hands, feet and other parts of the body as well as fever, headaches, joint aches or tiredness.
• If syphilis is left untreated, late symptoms or complications may develop months or years later.

Diagnosis

Syphilis can be tested for with a blood test. A syphilis test should be included in a standard asymptomatic sexual health test.

Treatment

Treatment involves antibiotics which are given by injection or orally with a goal to cure the infection. However, this does not prevent getting the infection again.

Prevention

You can reduce transmission of syphilis by using condoms and other barriers during sex and, if recommended for you, using doxy-PEP.

HIV is a virus that attacks and weakens the body’s immune system. If left untreated for some time, the HIV virus can severely damage a person’s immune system and lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

It is passed on through contact with body fluids (blood, semen, genital/anal fluid) from a person with HIV who has a detectable viral load. To be passed on, these fluids must enter a HIV-negative person through a mucous membrane (such as the rectum, vagina or tip of penis), open wounds or direct injection. HIV can also be passed on during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding.

Currently in Australia, HIV is mostly passed on through anal or vaginal sex and sharing needles (for injecting drugs).

Symptoms

HIV often has no symptoms, which means you can have HIV and pass it on without knowing about it.

If there are symptoms, they commonly include flu-like symptoms, rash, weight loss, decreased appetite or tiredness.

Diagnosis

HIV can be tested for with a blood test or home testing kits. A HIV test should be included in a standard asymptomatic sexual health test.

If you would prefer to do a HIV test at home, you can get a free HIV self-test kit from our reception (during business hours) or 24/7 using the CONNECT vending machine outside our office, thanks to the federally funded CONNECT project by Thorne Harbour Health. To get a kit through the vending machine, you just need to head to the CONNECT website, answer a few questions and provide a mobile phone number. You'll then get an SMS with a code you can use at the machine to get your free test. Using the kit is straightforward and there’s a detailed instructional video on the CONNECT website, along with plenty of other information.

Treatment

Treatment involves antiretroviral therapy (ART) which can be taken orally or by injection with the goal of reducing the viral load in the body and keep you living well with HIV, reducing the risk of disease advancement associated with HIV.

Decisions about starting treatment and what treatments to take should always be done in consultation with a doctor with expertise in HIV management.

Prevention

You can reduce transmission of HIV by:

• using condoms and other barriers during sex
• Using medications like PrEP or PEP
• having an undetectable viral load (U=U)
• using new equipment for injecting and tattooing.

Find out more about HIV.

Hepatitis A is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver.

It is passed on through routes that involve ingesting even minute amounts of faecal matter (poo). This can occur through sexual contact with a person who has hepatitis A, including:

• rimming
• giving oral sex to someone who just performed anal sex
• fingering/fisting an anus or touching sex toys/condoms that were used in/around the anus then putting the involved fingers in a mouth.

Hepatitis A can also be passed on from sharing objects such as injecting or tattoo needles and from faecal matter that has contaminated food and drinks.

Symptoms

Hepatitis A often has no symptoms, which means you can have hepatitis A and pass it on without knowing about it.

If there are symptoms, they may include fever, nausea, abdominal discomfort or tiredness.

Diagnosis

Hepatitis A can be tested for with a blood test. A hepatitis A test is not typically included in a standard asymptomatic sexual health test unless you are considered likely to be exposed to the virus.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment or cure for hepatitis A. The virus will usually go away on its own. This does not prevent getting the infection again.

Prevention

You can reduce transmission of hepatitis A by:

• getting vaccinated
• using condoms and other barriers during sex
• washing genitals/hands/toys during sex between anal contact and contact with a mouth
• washing your hands after sex/touching objects used for anal contact (such as condoms or sex toys).

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver.

It is passed on through:

• pregnancy and childbirth
• vaginal or anal sex
• sharing sex toys, toothbrushes or razors
• using or sharing injecting or tattooing equipment with a person who has hepatitis B.

Symptoms

Hepatitis B often has no symptoms, which means you can have hepatitis B and pass it on without knowing about it.

If there are symptoms, they may include loss of appetite, muscle and joint pain, nausea, discomfort around the abdomen and yellowing of the eyes and skin.

Diagnosis

Hepatitis B can be tested for with a blood test. A hepatitis B test may be included in a standard asymptomatic sexual health test to find out your status or immunity.

Treatment

There is no treatment to cure the infection, and it may go away on its own. However, some people develop chronic hepatitis B, which can be treated with antiviral medication. The goal of treatment is to protect your liver and help you live well.

Decisions about treatment should always be done in consultation with a doctor with expertise in hepatitis B management.

Prevention

You can reduce transmission of hepatitis B by:

• getting vaccinated
• using barrier protection during sex
• not sharing sex toys, injecting equipment, tattoo equipment, toothbrushes or razors.

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver.

It is passed on through blood-to-blood contact. This could happen through sharing injecting equipment (including needles, barrels, tourniquets, spoons, cotton and waters), toothbrushes, razors or tattooing equipment with a person who has hepatitis C.

It can also be passed on through vaginal and anal sex, including fisting or sharing sex toys that injures or damages the internal skin (such as particularly rough or prolonged sex) with a person who has hepatitis C.

Symptoms

Hepatitis C often has no symptoms, which means you can have hepatitis C and pass it on without knowing about it.

If there are symptoms, they may include tiredness, nausea, discomfort around the abdomen and yellowing of the eyes and skin.

Diagnosis

Hepatitis C can be tested for with a blood test. A hepatitis C test is not typically included in a standard asymptomatic sexual health test unless you are considered likely to be exposed to the virus. You can also get a finger prick test, available at Hepatitis ACT.

Treatment

Treatment involves taking oral medication for 8 to12 weeks, with a goal to cure the infection. However, this does not prevent getting the infection again.

Prevention

You can reduce transmission of hepatitis C by using:

• new injecting equipment, razors, toothbrushes and tattoo equipment every time
• barrier protection and lube during sex.

There are two types of HSV:

• Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is known for causing cold sores (blistering sores around the mouth) but can also be found around the vulva/external genital area, anus, penis and testicles.
• Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2),commonly known as genital herpes, typically causes blistering lesions around the vulva/external genital area, anus, penis and testicles.

Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be passed on through kissing and oral, vaginal and anal sex with a person who has HSV. Having a lesion makes spreading the virus more likely, but it can also be passed on without any active lesions.

Symptoms

HSV often has no symptoms, which means you can have HSV and pass it on without knowing about it. Most people with HSV will never know that they have it.

If there are symptoms, they may include blistering sores around the mouth, vulva/external genital area, anus, penis and testicles.

Diagnosis

There is no routine test for HSV if you don’t have symptoms. If experiencing symptoms, HSV can be tested for by a healthcare provider swabbing a lesion. A HSV test is not included in a standard asymptomatic sexual health test.

Treatment

Treatment involves taking antiviral medication, with the goal to manage symptoms, reduce transmission and support wellbeing.

Prevention

You can reduce transmission of HSV by using condoms or other barriers during sex.

HPV is a viral infection. Some strains of HPV can cause genital warts and others can cause cancer in the cervix, vagina, vulva, throat, anus, rectum or penis.

It is passed on through a variety of sexual contact including oral, vaginal or anal sex, sharing sex toys and having skin-to-skin contact with someone who has HPV.

Symptoms

HPV often has no symptoms, which means you can have HPV and pass it on without knowing about it. Most people with HPV will never know that they have/had it.

However, some strains produce growths/bumps around the genitals (genital warts) or itching, pain or bleeding. Genital warts can be diagnosed by a healthcare provider by looking at the bumps.

Diagnosis

HPV strains that cause cancer are tested for in Cervical Screening Tests (CSTs) and anal cancer screening.

Treatment

There is currently no treatment for HPV. In most cases, the immune system clears HPV from the body naturally over time and has no long-lasting effects. However, if HPV is found in the cervix through a Cervical Screening Test, the affected area may receive treatment.

Treatment for genital warts isn’t always necessary but may involve applying topical creams, freezing or burning the warts or laser treatments. The goal of treatment for genital warts is to manage symptoms, reduce transmission and support wellbeing, rather than cure the virus. The virus can go away by itself over time, although warts can sometimes keep recurring.

Prevention

You can reduce the transmission of HPV by getting vaccinated against HPV and using condoms, dams or gloves during sex.

There are vaccines available to help prevent cancer-causing HPV strains and, depending on the vaccine used, wart producing strains. Vaccines are recommended for:

• young people aged 9 to 25
• people with severely immunocompromising conditions
• men who have sex with men.

Mpox is a viral infection that can cause skin lesions, sores or rashes on your genitals, anus, face, mouth, hands and body.

It is passed on through close physical contact (with or without sex) with a person who has mpox. This includes contact with skin rashes, body fluids, scabs or sores (which can be visible or hidden in the mouth, throat or rectal area). It can also be passed on through clothing, towels or bedding.

Symptoms

Mpox symptoms can include headache, fever, muscle aches, low energy, swollen lymph nodes and a rash, often with lesions that look like blisters, pimples or sores.

Symptoms can show 3 to 21 days after exposure, and can range from mild to severe. Severe symptoms are more likely to occur in unvaccinated people.

Diagnosis

If you have symptoms, mpox can be tested for by having lesions swabbed by a healthcare provider. An mpox test is not included in a standard asymptomatic sexual health test.

Treatment

Mpox usually goes away on its own, with no treatment required. However, this does not prevent getting the infection again.

For people experiencing severe infection or at an increased likelihood of severe infection (due to weakened immune system or other complication), there is antiviral treatment available to assist in curing the infection.

Pain medication, wound care and stool softeners may be used to help with symptoms.

Prevention

You can reduce transmission of mpox by getting vaccinated and using condoms or barrier protection methods during sex.

Find out more about mpox.

Thrush, also known as a yeast infection or candidiasis (also referred to as candida), is an overgrowth of the Candida fungus, most commonly Candida albicans.

It's a fungal infection that primarily affects the genital area but can also occur in the mouth (oral thrush) or on other parts of the body such as the skin.

Thrush can be linked to:

• health or body changes, including taking certain antibiotics, hormonal changes (such as taking HRT, during pregnancy or menstruation) or having diabetes, other skin conditions or a weakened immune system
• everyday factors like exposure to irritants that can affect the natural balance of flora, or incorrect vulva/vaginal care practices
• sexual contact as, although thrush is not an STI, Candida can be passed on through sexual contact. Sex can also cause microtears or introduce irritants (such as certain lubes, condom varieties or semen) which can increase the likelihood of developing thrush.

Symptoms

Symptoms of genital thrush include:

• itching, burning and redness in the affected area
• a thick, white discharge (often resembling cottage cheese)
• discomfort during sex or urination
• swelling around the genitals.

Diagnosis

Thrush can often be diagnosed based on symptoms and a physical examination. For confirmation, a swab of the affected area can be taken and tested for Candida. A thrush/Candida test is not included in a standard asymptomatic sexual health test.

Treatment

Treatment can involve antifungal medications in the form of creams, tablets or suppositories, with a goal to bring the body’s flora back to its natural balance. These medications are available at a pharmacy, with or without a prescription.

Some treatments for thrush can damage latex condoms and increase the risk of them breaking.

If you have cured thrush, it can develop again.

Prevention

While there is no guaranteed way to prevent thrush, maintaining good genital care practices can be helpful to manage factors that disrupt the natural balance of bacteria and yeast, including:

• wearing breathable cotton underwear
• sleeping without underwear
• washing external genitals gently with warm water
• avoiding
• removing wet clothing (like swimwear) as soon as possible (especially if chlorinated)
• avoiding overly tight clothing for long periods of time
• avoiding scents, bleaches, dyes or perfumes in products like laundry detergents, toilet paper or lube.

BV occurs when the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina is disrupted, allowing BV-causing bacteria to overgrow.

Anything that disrupts the usual balance of vaginal bacteria can trigger BV, including:

• using douches
• taking antibiotics
• having sex without condoms, dams or other barriers
• having an intrauterine device (IUD)
• having multiple sexual partners
• having a new sex partner

BV can also be passed on through vaginal sex (including penetration, fingering, fisting and sharing sex toys) and sexual contact involving fluids exchanged between vaginas.

While penises cannot get BV, they can pass BV bacteria on through vaginal sex.

Symptoms

Some people have no symptoms of BV. If there are symptoms, they commonly include:

• a thin grey or white vaginal discharge with a strong fishy odour, especially after sex
• itching or irritation in the vagina
• burning during urination.

Diagnosis

BV is typically diagnosed through a pelvic examination and a swab of the vaginal discharge. A BV test is not included in a standard asymptomatic sexual health test.

Treatment

It is treated with antibiotics, either in oral form or as a topical gel or cream inserted into the vagina.

• If you have a regular sexual partner with a penis, it is recommended that they are treated at the same time as you to reduce the likelihood of it recurring.
• If you have a regular sexual partner with a vagina, it is recommended that they get assessed by a healthcare provider to find out if they need treatment.

If you have cured BV, it can develop again.

Prevention

While there is no guaranteed way to prevent BV, maintaining good genital care practices can be helpful to manage factors that disrupt the natural balance of bacteria, including:

• washing external genitals gently with warm water
• avoiding douching or washing the vagina with soaps, sprays or wipes
• cleaning sex toys properly (as product instructions suggest)
• changing menstrual products regularly (as product instructions suggest)
• being mindful of potential irritants in certain lubes
• using condoms and other barriers during sex.

UTIs are an infection in any part of the urinary system. Most UTIs involve the bladder, but they can also affect the urethra, ureters and kidneys.

UTIs are commonly caused by bacteria entering the body through the urethra.

Bacteria naturally live all over and inside our bodies, including on/in our skin, mouths and genitals. They can also be on things like underwear, sex toys and condoms.

UTIs can happen because of:

• health or body factors, including pregnancy, menopause, diabetes, other urinary conditions, or having an enlarged prostate or a weakened immune system.

• everyday factors like dehydration, holding on to urine or incorrect genital care practices.
• during sexual or genital contact as, although a UTI is not an STI, bacteria moving from one place to another during activity can increase the likelihood of its development

People with vulvas are more likely to develop a UTI, due to the short length of the urethra and the location of the opening.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a UTI can include:

• a strong, persistent urge to urinate
• a burning sensation during urination
• cloudy or bloody urine
• strong-smelling urine
• pelvic pain.

If the infection reaches the kidneys, symptoms can include back pain, lower abdominal pain fever, chills, nausea and vomiting.

If you are experiencing symptoms, it’s important to see a healthcare provider for advice as soon as possible.

Diagnosis

UTIs are tested for with a urine test to confirm the presence of blood, bacteria or white blood cells in the urine. A UTI test is not included in a standard asymptomatic sexual health test.

Treatment

Treatment involves the use of antibiotics, with a goal to cure the infection. The type and duration of treatment will depend on the severity and location of the infection. However, this does not prevent getting the infection again.

Pain relief medication may also be used to alleviate discomfort.

Prevention

While there is no guaranteed way to prevent a UTI, maintaining good genital care practices and overall wellbeing practices may be helpful to reduce the likelihood of a UTI developing, including:

• staying hydrated
• going to the toilet when you feel the urge to urinate, rather than holding on
• wiping/cleaning your genital area gently from front to back when going to the toilet
• urinating before and after sex
• cleaning or changing condoms or other barriers when moving between anal contact and vaginal contact (including oral sex, penetration, fingering, fisting and using sex toys).
• treating infections affecting the genitals quickly.

Trichomoniasis (also called 'trich') is a parasitic infection that can affect the vagina, penis, and cervix.

It is passed on through vaginal sex (including penetration, fingering, fisting and sharing sex toys) with a person who has trichomoniasis. It can also be passed on by sharing damp towels.

Symptoms

Trichomoniasis often has no symptoms, which means you can have trichomoniasis and pass it on without knowing about it. If there are symptoms, they may include:

• frothy, yellow or green vaginal discharge
• a fishy vaginal smell
• itching or burning
• irregular bleeding between periods or after sex
• burning during urination
• pain during sex
• penile discharge.

Diagnosis

There is no routine test for trichomoniasis if you don’t have symptoms or a partner who has tested positive. If experiencing symptoms, trichomoniasis can be tested for with a genital swab or urine sample. Testing may also be recommended if you live/have been in a location where rates of infection are higher. A trichomoniasis test is not included in a standard asymptomatic sexual health test.

Treatment

Treatment involves antibiotics which are given orally, with a goal to cure the infection. However, this does not prevent getting the infection again.

Prevention

You can reduce transmission of trichomoniasis by using condoms and other barriers during sex.

Mycoplasma genitalium is a bacterial infection that can affect the cervix, penis, and anus.

It is passed on through giving or receiving oral sex, vaginal sex or anal sex, (including penetration, fingering, fisting and sharing sex toys) with a person who has mycoplasma genitalium.

Symptoms

Mycoplasma genitalium often has no symptoms, which means you can have mycoplasma genitalium and pass it on without knowing about it.

If there are symptoms, they commonly include:

• lower abdominal pain
• pain during sex
• irregular vaginal bleeding (between periods or after sex)
• irregular discharge
• pain during urination
• discharge, bleeding or pain around the anus.

Diagnosis

There is no routine test for mycoplasma genitalium if you don’t have symptoms or a partner who has tested positive.

If experiencing symptoms, mycoplasma genitalium can be tested for with a urine sample or swab from the anus, vagina or cervix.

A mycoplasma genitalium test is not included in a standard asymptomatic sexual health test.

Treatment

Treatment involves antibiotics which are given orally, with a goal to cure the infection. However, this does not prevent getting the infection again.

Prevention

You can reduce transmission of mycoplasma genitalium by using condoms and other barriers during sex.

Shigella is a type of bacteria that infects the bowels.

It is passed on through routes that involve ingesting even minute amounts of faecal matter (poo). This can occur through sexual contact with a person who has shigella, including:

• rimming
• giving oral sex to someone who just performed anal sex
• fingering/fisting an anus or touching sex toys/condoms that were used in/around the anus then putting the involved fingers in a mouth.

Shigella can also be passed on from eating food and drinks contaminated with the bacteria or touching contaminated objects and then touching your mouth.

Symptoms

Shigella often has no symptoms, which means you can have shigella and pass it on without knowing about it. If there are symptoms, they may include stomach cramps, diarrhoea, fever, nausea or vomiting.

Diagnosis

If you have symptoms, shigella can be tested for by a healthcare provider examining your belly and doing a stool test (providing a poo sample). A shigella test is not included in a standard asymptomatic sexual health test.

Treatment

Shigella usually goes away on its own, with no treatment required, or antibiotics may be prescribed to help. However, this does not prevent getting the infection again.

Prevention

You can reduce transmission of shigella by:

• using condoms and other barriers during sex
• washing genitals/hands/toys during sex between anal contact and contact with a mouth

by washing your hands after sex/touching objects used for anal contact (such as condoms or sex toys).

Pubic lice, sometimes called ‘crabs’, are tiny parasites that live in body hair such as pubic hair, facial hair and chest hair.

They are passed on through close skin contact (with or without sex) or sharing items such as clothing, bedding or towels with a person who has crabs.

Symptoms

Common symptoms include itchiness in the affected area.

Diagnosis

There’s no routine test for pubic lice. If you have symptoms of pubic lice, a healthcare provider can diagnose by examining the affected area. A pubic lice test is not included in a standard asymptomatic sexual health test.

Treatment

Treatment involves topical foam, cream or lotion applied to all the hair that may be affected and repeating the treatment as directed by a healthcare provider. Clothing and bedding also need to be treated.

Curing a pubic lice infection does not prevent getting the infection again.

Prevention

If you know you have public lice, you can reduce transmission by avoiding close body contact or sharing personal items (like clothes and bedding) until you've completed treatment and symptoms have stopped.