What are sexually transmitted infections? (STIs)

STI stands for “sexually transmitted infections”. They are also called STDs or “sexually transmitted diseases”. You’ll hear both terms but we use the term STIs because that’s what Health Canada has started to do.

Types of Sexually Transmitted Infections

Bacterial : Bacterial STIs are caused by bacteria passed from person-to-person during sexual activity. There are three infections in this category: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis

Viral: Viral STIs are caused by viruses passed from person-to-person during sexual activity. In general viral infections involve many different parts of the body at the same time. There are four infections in this category: Genital Herpes, HIV, Hepatitis B and HPV.

Parasitic: These STIs are caused by parasites passed from person-to-person during sexual activity. There are 3 in this category: Trichomoniasis, Pubic Lice and Scabies.

Fungal : While not technically STIs, a yeast infection can be passed through sexual contact in rare circumstances.

How do you get an STI?

STIs always come from another person. They live in semen, vaginal fluids, blood, breast milk and pre-come, and also sometimes on the skin. They need certain conditions – warm, dark, moist areas of the body – to survive and can’t live away from the human body.

STIs cannot be caught through casual social contact such as shaking hands, sharing eating utensils or using public washrooms. People get STIs from having unprotected sexual contact with other people such as sex without a condom.

They can also come from injection drug use, and contact with open sores. It is important to know that sexual contact includes unprotected oral sex (mouth-on-penis or vagina) and anal sex (penis-in-anus). People can catch some infections from kissing or touching an infected area or by sharing a sex toy with an infected partner.

How do I know if I have an STI?

The most common symptom is no symptom at all! Every STI can exist in the body without showing any symptoms. That’s why the only way to know for sure if you have something and what it might be is to get tested. If you have an STI, your body may begin developing signs or symptoms of the infection, or it may not.

Some symptoms seem to go away on their own but they are not really gone. They remain in your body and can do more damage if they are not treated. Many STIs are completely curable with medicated lotions or antibiotics. Different STIs produce different possible symptoms (check out the links to information about each STI for details). If you are concerned about possibly having an STI here are some common warning signs to watch for:

• A discharge of fluid from your penis or vagina that is different from what you normally have, i.e. a different colour or funny smell;
• Burning pain when you pee;
• Itching and/or burning in and around the genital area;
• Sores or warts on or around the genitals;
• Pain in the lower abdomen or and pain in the testicles.
• The most common symptom is no symptoms at all!

If you have had unprotected sex, or you think there’s a risk you may have been infected, get tested. If it’s possible it’s a good idea to get tested before having sex with a new partner, and to ask them to get tested too. Making testing a regular part of caring for yourself.

It is important to know that while some people get symptoms from an STI, others don’t. Many people who have STIs do not develop any symptoms at all but they can still pass along the infection to their partner.

What is involved in STI testing?

There is not one test that will screen for all STIs. Some STIs are hard to test for if you do not have any symptoms. Most STIs can be detected through blood work, urine tests, saliva tests or by visual examination. Other STIs can only be detected by taking a sample of body fluid from the penis, vagina, rectum or an open sore around your genitals. When you go for testing, it is important to talk with the doctor or nurse about which STIs you are at risk for to determine which tests you should get. Doctors will not routinely give you STI tests unless you ask; it is not part of a regular check up even when you get a pap smear.

How to prevent an STI?

Here are some tips to help you avoid STIs. Consider which will work for you:

• always use barriers like condoms or dental dams
• choose safer sexual activities like kissing, touching and massaging
• avoid sex altogether
• Statistically the more partners someone has, the higher the chances of getting an STI, however you can get an STI even from one experience.
• get tested regularly
• ask your partner if they’ve been tested or to come get tested with you
• know how to use condoms effectively
• talk to your partner about safer sex (protection, testing, STI history)
• avoid sharing needles
• avoid getting unprofessional tattoos or piercings

Where can I get an STI test?

Centre for Sexuality provides weekly STI/HIV testing services. You can also request an STI test from your family doctor, a family planning or sexual health clinic, an STI clinic or at a walk-in clinic. Our STI Services in Calgary page lists the locations in Calgary.

How do I tell my partner(s)?

If you test positive for any STI, it is really important that you let any and all of your sexual partners know. Some STIs, like chlamydia, rarely show symptoms so your partner may have it and not know to seek help. Many STIs are easily cured but can do long-term damage if left untreated.

It is a drag to have to tell someone you care about that you may have given them an STI but it is a lot worse if they find out you knew and never said anything.

• Be honest with your partner.
• Be upfront about what the testing and treatment involves.
• Be supportive (you might even want to go with your partner to get tested when they get tested)

How can I prevent a STI?

The best way to prevent getting STIs is to abstain or choose not to have sex.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• How do I feel about having sex?
• What are my beliefs about sex?
• Is this person the right partner for me
• How will this change our relationship?

If you have had sex before it doesn’t mean you have to continue having sex. You can decide that abstinence is for you at any time in your life.

If you choose to be intimate with a partner but still want to reduce your risks of getting STIs, you can also participate in risk free or low risk activities such as kissing, hugging, body massage and masturbation.

Once again, here are some questions for you to consider:

• Where do I like to be touched and what areas are off limits?
• Am I comfortable taking my clothes off? Some of them or all of them?
• How do I feel about oral sex (using your mouth on your partner’s genitals or visa versa)
• What will I do if my partner wants me to do something I don’t want to do?

It is your right to say “no” and your right to say “yes” to any sexual activity. It can be pretty tough to make these decisions in the heat of the moment so think about what you are comfortable with ahead of time and even practise what you will say to your partner. Even better, have a conversation with your partner about it. If the idea of talking about STIs and your sexual boundaries is WAY too much, then maybe you’re not ready for sex.

Also, avoid getting involved sexually if you are drunk or on drugs – your head may be ‘fuzzy’ and you might do things you normally wouldn’t do. You don’t want to wake up the next day with a hangover and some nasty STIs.

Another way to reduce the risks of STIs is to use condoms. Condoms are really the best defence against STIs and unplanned pregnancy. If you use condoms properly and every time you have sex, you will minimize your risks of getting most STIs. That being said, condoms cannot provide complete protection because some STIs may can be transmitted from areas of the genitals that are not covered by condoms.

RETURN TO TOP

Calgary Sexual Health Centre does not do STI testing.

Here is a list of places you can go for free and confidential STI testing. If you are a teenager, none of these places will tell your parents. You don’t need your Alberta Health Care Card and you can even use a fake name (but make sure you remember what name you are using):

Alberta Health Services
The STI Clinic

Calgary Phone: 403-955-6700

TOLL free, 24 hour STI/AIDS Info Line: 1-800-772-2437

Location: Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre, 5th Floor, 1214 – 4th Street SW

Hours: Monday through Wednesday – 9:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday – 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday – 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Closed on statutory holidays and holiday weekends.

 

Alberta Health Services
Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinics

Downtown Clinic
Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre – 5th Floor

1213 – 4th Street S.W.

Phone: (403) 955-6500

Mon to Thurs: 1 – 5:15 p.m.
Fri & Sat: 12 noon – 3:30 p.m.

 

South

31 Sunpark Plaza SE

Phone: (403)943-9510

Mon: 1:00pm-5:15pm
Tues: 4:00pm-7:00pm
Fri: 12:00pm-3:30pm

 

Sunridge

406, 2675- 36th St NE

Phone: (403)944-7666

Mon-Thurs 1:00-5:15pm
Fri-Sat 12:00pm-3:30pm

 

East

4715- 8 Ave SE

Tue and Thurs: 12:00-4:30pm

 

Okotoks Health and Wellnes Centre Teen/Young Adult Clinic

Drop in Clinic

11 Cimarron Common, Okotoks

403-995-2670

Thurs 12-6pm

(Please note, birth control supplies can only be picked up during clinic hours).

 

Teen/Young Adult Clinic

Airdrie Community Health Centre

604 Main Street South, Airdrie

403-801-9229

Drop in: Thurs 12pm-6pm

 

High River Community Clinic

103, 303 9 Ave SW, High River

Phone: 403-652-1721

Drop in: Tues 3-7pm

 

Calgary Health Region Physician Directory

A list of physicians in the Calgary Health Region that allows you to search by specialty, location, languages spoken, privileges, etc.

College of Physicians and Surgeons

Find a Physician: CPSA Medical Directory

Toll Free Phone: 1-800-561-3899

How do you prevent it

• Abstain from sex altogether.
• Engage in safe sexual practices like kissing, hugging, touching and massage.
• Talk with your partner(s) about your testing history
• Statistically the more partners someone has, the higher the chances of getting an STI, however you can get an STI even from one experience.
• Use a condom on a sex toy if you will be sharing it
• Limit how many sexual partners you have (less partners means you are less likely to get an STI).
• Think about your partner’ sexual history (if they have had a lot of partners and/or does not practice safer sex then it puts you at a higher risk).
• Use male and female condoms for vaginal and anal sex.
• Use dental dams or condoms for oral sex.

Symptoms

• Many people, do not develop any symptoms at all. If you do get symptoms, they usually appear between 2 to 6 weeks after contracting the infection.
• An unusual discharge from the vagina (unusual can mean a different colour, amount or smell).
• A milky white discharge from the penis
• Pain and/or swelling of the testicles.
• Burning or itching at the opening of the penis
• Burning when you pee.
• Bleeding or pain during or after sex.
• Bleeding or spotting between periods.
• Pain in the lower abdomen.
• Fever and chills (sometimes).
• Infections from oral sex generally have few symptoms.

Testing

• A doctor or nurse can take a swab of the infected area (cervix, urethra or rectum) or you can take a simple urine test
• Many people assume that chlamydia testing is included in their regular pap test but this is not so. You need to ask for a chlamydia test

How do you prevent it

• Abstain from sex altogether.
• Engage in safer sexual practices like kissing, hugging, touching and massage.
• Talk with your partner(s) about your testing history
• Statistically the more partners someone has, the higher the chances of getting an STI, however you can get an STI even from one experience.
• Use a condom on a sex toy if you will be sharing it
• Limit how many sexual partners you have (less partners means you are less likely to get an STI).
• Think about your partner’ sexual history (if they have had a lot of partners and/or does not practice safer sex then it puts you at a higher risk).
• Use male and female condoms for vaginal and anal sex.
• Use dental dams or condoms for oral sex.

Symptoms

• Most people do not get any symptoms and gonorrhea can be mistaken for a bladder infection. That is why is it important to let your sexual partners know if you test positive for it.
• A thick discharge of pus from the vagina (yellowish-white in color).
• Bleeding or spotting between periods.
• Vaginal pain.
• A thick discharge of pus from the penis.
• Frequent need to pee and burning when you do pee.
• Painful and swollen testicles.
• Rectal pain, itching or bleeding.
• Burning when you pee.
• Sore throat.
• A discharge from the anus.

Testing

• A doctor or nurse will take a swab of the infected area (cervix, urethra, rectum or throat) or you can take a simple urine test.
• Do not assume that this test is included in your regular pap test – ask for a gonorrhea test

How do you prevent it

• Abstain from sex altogether.
• Engage in safer sexual practices like kissing, hugging, touching and massage (especially with your clothing on because you don’t want to touch any sores around the genital areas).
• Talk with your partner(s) about your testing history
• Statistically the more partners someone has, the higher the chances of getting an STI, however you can get an STI even from one experience.
• Limit how many sexual partners you have (less partners means you are less likely to get an STI).
• Think about your partner’ sexual history (if they have had a lot of partners and/or does not practise safer sex then it puts you at a higher risk).
• Use a condom on a sex toy if you will be sharing it
• Use male and female condoms for vaginal and anal sex.
• Use dental dams or condoms for oral sex.
• Note: Condoms protect some parts of the body but may not cover sores at the base of the penis, on the outside of the vulva or on the rectum.

Symptoms

• It can be hard to tell if you have syphilis because it mimics or acts like many other illnesses.
• If syphilis is not treated, it can progress through three stages.
• It is most contagious during the first two stages and does the most harm in the last stage.
• Once again, some people do not get any symptoms and others get some or all that are listed below. Don’t be fooled into thinking that it has gone away just because your symptoms clear up.
• If you don’t get treated, it will stay in your body and move to the next stage. You can also infect another person at any time if you are infected.
• Small round sores appear on or around the infected area (penis, vagina, vulva, rectum or throat).
• These sores can range in size from a pinpoint to the size of a quarter.
• They usually appear 9 to 90 days after contact and this is when you are most likely to infect another person.
• They will heal up on their own in 3-8 weeks but it does not mean the infection is actually gone.
• If you have a sore, even one, then you need to check it out with a healthcare professional immediately.

Testing

• If you suspect you have syphilis, you need to get tested regardless of what stage you are in
• A doctor or nurse will examine the sores and take a swab for testing
• You may also get a blood test
• Do not assume that this test is included in your regular pap test – ask for a syphilis test

How do you prevent it

• Abstain from sex, especially when a person has an outbreak of sores.
• Talk with your partner(s) about your testing history
• Statistically the more partners someone has, the higher the chances of getting an STI, however you can get an STI even from one experience
• Use a condom on a sex toy if you will be sharing it
• Limit how many sexual partners you have (less partners means you are less likely to get an STI).
• Think about your partner’ sexual history (if they have had a lot of partners and/or does not practise safer sex then it puts you at a higher risk).
• Use male and female condoms for vaginal and anal sex.
• Use dental dams or condoms for oral sex and abstain from oral sex if a person has recently had an outbreak of sores.
• Note: Condoms protect some parts of the body but may not cover sores around the penis, on the outside of the vulva or on the rectum

Symptoms

• Once you get herpes, the virus will live in your body for life.
• How often and how many outbreaks a person has depends on many factors.
• Some people get outbreaks when they get sick or feel stressed and others only get one or two outbreaks ever.
• Many people will get one or two outbreaks of Herpes blisters in a year, and some people carry the virus and never have a sore (these people are highly unlikely to pass it on to a partner).
• The first outbreak is often the worst.
• Sores can be painful but there are many treatments available to make them less severe.
• Talk to a doctor or pharmacist for suggestions.
• Generally the outbreaks get less and less severe as time goes on.
• Many people do not get any symptoms or only experience mild symptoms. That is why it is important to let your sexual partners know if you test positive for it.
• Symptoms can include:
• Tingling or a burning feeling around the infected area (signals that an active outbreak is coming).
• Itchy skin around the genitals.
• Small watery blisters or sores in or around the genitals, bum, thighs or mouth. The blisters usually burst and leave painful sores that dry up and fall off.
• Pain when you pee.
• Tender lumps on the groin (especially at the first outbreak).
• Fever or headaches (at the first outbreak).

Testing

• If you suspect you have herpes, you need to get tested.
• A doctor or nurse will look at the blisters or sores and scrape off a bit of tissue to send for testing.

How do you prevent it

• HPV is hard to avoid for anyone who has been sexually active. Annual pap tests help sexually active women screen for pre-cancerous cell changes caused by HPV. This is the most important way women can avoid cervical cancer caused by HPV.
• Abstain from sexual contact (though you can still kiss and hug with your clothing on).
• Apparently it’s so common that even having had one partner most people will carry it, though many show no symptoms.
• Use male and female condoms for vaginal and anal sex.
• Use dental dams for oral sex.
• Note: Condoms protect some parts of the body but HPV can be transmitted from areas of the body that are not covered such as the scrotum, vulva or thighs.

Symptoms

• How HPV affects your body seems to vary – some people show no signs of the infection and simply carry the virus while others develop visible warts.
• Genital warts may last for a long time and eventually go away but the HPV virus can remain dormant in your body and return later on.
• If you do get warts they usually show up within three months of contact with the virus but sometimes it can take up to a year or longer to show signs.
• Pinkish, flat and slightly raised bumps in the vagina or on the cervix.
• Pink to greyish-brown coloured warts that grow in cauliflower-like clusters on the penis, vulva, anus, thighs.
• Tingling or a burning sensation.
• Minor bleeding after anal sex or a bowel movement.
• Difficulty peeing
• Cervical dysplasia (this means abnormal cell growth on a cervix).

Testing

• The test for HPV is not part of routine testing.
• If genital warts are visible a doctor can freeze these away
• One of the best ways to screen for HPV is to get regular pap smears.
• The doctor will take a swab of your cervix and send these cells to a laboratory for testing.

How do you prevent it

• Abstain from sex.
• Talk with your partner(s) about your testing history
• Statistically the more partners someone has, the higher the chances of getting an STI, however you can get an STI even from one experience
• Limit how many sexual partners you have (less partners means you are less likely to get an STI).
• Think about your partner’s sexual history (if they have had a lot of partners, does not practise safer sex and/or uses needles to inject then it puts you at a higher risk).
• Use male and female condoms for vaginal and anal sex.
• Use a condom on a sex toy if you will be sharing it
• Use dental dams for oral sex.
• Don’t share personal items such as razors and toothbrushes with an infected person.
• Don’t share needles used to inject drugs.
• Get vaccinated.

Symptoms

• Hepatitis B can show up as a short-term (“acute”) infection or a long-term (“chronic”) infection.
• An acute infection lasts up to six months and the infection is considered “chronic” if it lasts more than six months.
• Many people show no symptoms and their bodies develop immunities to the virus that help them fight it off.
• During the acute stage, you can transmit hepatitis B to another person.
• For some people that will be it – they will never develop chronic hepatitis and they won’t even be a carrier, which means they won’t pass it along.
• Even if your symptoms clear up you may still be infected so it is wise to get tested by your doctor to make sure you are not carrying the virus.
• Other people’s bodies won’t fight off the virus and they will develop chronic hepatitis, which can go on to damage the liver. Chronic hepatitis carriers will have the virus all their lives and can pass it to others at any point.
• Symptoms when a person is first infected they symptoms can include:
• Mild flu-like symptoms such as feeling tired, aching joints, loss of appetite, nausea and stomach pain.
• Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), though this is rare.
• Symptoms when a person has chronic Hepatitis B can include:
• Liver scarring.
• Liver diseases.
• Liver cancer.

Testing

• If you suspect you have been exposed to hepatitis B through infected blood or other bodily fluids, you need to take a blood test to find out.

How do you prevent it

• Abstain from sex.
• Talk with your partner(s) about your testing history
• Statistically the more partners someone has, the higher the chances of getting an STI, however you can get an STI even from one experience
• Limit how many sexual partners you have (less partners means you are less likely to get HIV).
• Think about your partner’s sexual history (if they have had a lot of partners, does not practise safer sex and/or uses needles to inject then it puts you at a higher risk).
• Use male or female condoms for vaginal and anal sex (don’t use condoms with nonoxynol-9 – a spermicide – as it may irritate the skin and make it easier to transmit HIV).
• Use dental dams or condoms for oral sex.
• Do not share needles used to inject drugs and never touch or pick up a needle if you find one.
• Use condoms if using sex toys such as dildos with a partner.
• Use a condom on a sex toy if you will be sharing it. Wash sex toys between individual uses.
• Avoid any sexual practices that may cause bleeding.
• Make sure that tattoo and piercing equipment is sterilized (ask about sterilization and only proceed if you are fully satisfied that it is safe).

Symptoms

• It can take years before any symptoms appear so people who are infected with HIV may not know they are spreading the virus.
• Symptoms are often mild in the early stages but later on they can include:
• Weight loss and loss of appetite.
• Persistent diarrhea.
• Fatigue.
• Sores in the mouth.
• Purplish lesions in the mouth or on the skin.
• Swollen glands and a sore throat.
• Recurring and chronic yeast infections.
• Fever and/or night sweats.
• Easy bruising.
• Because HIV attacks the immune system, it makes the body more susceptible to infections that a healthy person can normally fight off.
• If you suspect you have come in contact with HIV, you absolutely need to get tested. A doctor or nurse will give you a blood test to find out whether your body has developed antibodies to the virus. It usually takes between six weeks and three months for the body to develop antibodies so even if the first test is negative, you should get tested again after three months and again after six months just to be sure

Testing

• If you suspect you have come in contact with HIV, you absolutely need to get tested. A
• doctor or nurse will give you a blood test to find out whether your body has developed antibodies to the virus.
• It usually takes between six weeks and three months for the body to develop antibodies so even if the first test is negative, you should get tested again after three months and again after six months just to be sure

How do you prevent it

• Abstain from sex.
• Use male and female condoms for vaginal and anal sex.
• Keep clean – Wash or bathe daily.
• Wear clean cotton underwear.
• Sleep without underwear to air out your genitals.
• Wipe from the front of the vulva to the back after going to the bathroom.
• Peeing after you have sex.
• Avoid bath oils, bubble bath, feminine deodorant sprays, strong soaps, scented tampons, tight pants or underwear, and nylon underwear or pantyhose.

Symptoms

• Many people, will not have any symptoms of trich.. If you do get symptoms, they will usually appear within a week of infection (though they can take a month or longer to appear).
• A foamy yellow or green discharge from the vagina.
• A foul or musty smelling discharge from the vagina.
• Burning or itching around the vagina.
• Burning when you pee.
• A mild discharge from the penis.
• Irritation or redness at the top of the penis.

Testing

• To test for trich, your doctor or nurse will give you a physical examination to look for signs of the infection.
• They will also take a sample of fluid from the vagina or penis to send to the lab for testing

How do you prevent it

• Abstain from sex.
• Use male and female condoms for vaginal and anal sex.
• Use dental dams or condoms for oral sex.
• Keep clean –Wash or bathe daily.
• Wear clean clothing after you shower or bathe.
• Don’t share bedding, towels or clothing.

Symptoms

• Symptoms usually appear three to four weeks after coming into contact with the scabies
• Intense itching (it usually gets worse at night).
• Tiny red bumps or red lines appear around the infected areas (folds of skin).

Testing

• If you think you may have scabies, see your doctor for a visual inspection.

How do you prevent it

• Abstain from sex.
• Use male and female condoms for vaginal and anal sex.
• Use dental dams or condoms for oral sex.
• Keep clean – wash or bathe daily.
• Wear clean clothing after you shower or bathe.
• Don’t share bedding, towels or clothing.

Symptoms

• Itching or redness around your genitals.
• You can see small pin-sized grey or brownish mites in your pubic hair

Testing

• Pubic lice or crabs can usually be detected from a visual inspection of the genitals or with the help of a magnifying glass.
• A doctor or nurse will examine your genitals to look for the crabs or small greyish-white eggs that they lay.
• They may take a skin sample

How do you prevent it

• Eat a well-balance diet with lots of fiber.
• Keep your genitals clean and dry (people who are not circumcised should take care to clean properly under the foreskin).
• Wear loose dry clothing and cotton underwear.
• Wipe from front to back after going to the bathroom .
• Pee after sex.
• Do not use scented tampons and pads or perfume products such as soaps and oils.
• Use condoms and dental dams

Symptoms

• Itching and irritation in the vagina and around the vulva.
• A clumpy white discharge from the vagina that looks like cottage cheese.
• A yeasty odour from the vagina.
• Genital itching.
• A rash on the penis.
• A slight discharge from the penis

Testing

• A doctor or nurse will do a visual examination of your genitals.
• They may take a urine sample to rule out other possibilities and a sample of any discharge to look at under the microscope