When it comes to protecting yourself and your sexual partner, here are some facts you need to know about staying safe:
What are the main sexually transmitted infections?
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STIs include , , , , , as well as and . Healthdirect advises that sexually transmitted diseases can be passed on during vaginal sex, anal sex and oral sex, as well as through genital and skin-to-skin contact with an infected partner.
What are the common symptoms of an STI?
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Many sexually transmitted infections do not necessarily show symptoms. For example, the most common type of STI in Australia is , which mostly affects young people, yet three-quarters of chlamydia cases remain undiagnosed as people don’t often show any symptoms. It’s easily treated however, with a single dose of antibiotics.
Therefore it's important to visit your doctor regularly for sexual health check-ups - even if you feel nervous. There's no need to be - they are health care professionals and that is what they are there to help with.
STIs also affect older Australians
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Just because you are no longer of child-bearing age does not mean you are immune to STIs. The last shows people in their 60s are having regular sex and chlamydia cases in this group has risen by 190 per cent in the last decade, according to the . So it's vital that people of all ages make efforts to stay safe.
How do I know if I have an STI?
Health check-ups are important to identify potential risk factors. Source: Getty Images
There is no way of knowing unless you get tested. If you think you may have a sexually transmitted infection, you need to visit your GP, your local family planning clinic or sexual health centre.
You don’t even need a Medicare card to visit a sexual health centre for a test or sexual health check-up.
How do I avoid contracting an STI?
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Using a condom when you have sex can massively reduce the risk of an STI. Sexual health professionals recommend condoms should be used every single time you have sex, including vaginal, anal or oral sex.
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Nobody is immune from sexually transmitted diseases
In-Language services
Telephone and on-site translation services can be accessed via the Australian Government’s.
The 24/7 immediate interpreting hotline is. The clinic you visit can book an on-site interpreter to attend an appointment with you if needed.
