What are STIs? STIs are infections that are most commonly transmitted through unprotected sex with an infected partner.
This can be vaginal, anal or oral sex. Some STIs can be passed on from one partner to another through skin-to-skin contact. | Fast Fact: Chlamydia is the most commonly notified STI in Western Australia. The number of chlamydia notifications in WA increased by 16% in the first quarter of 2006 compared to the same period in 2005, from 1,294 to 1,496 cases (Department of Health WA 2006). |
How can STIs be prevented? STIs are preventable and the majority are curable. Click here for information on preventing STIs. How do I know if I'm at risk? You could be at risk of having an STI if: - You have had unsafe sex (sex without a condom/condom has not been used properly/condom fell off)
- You have a new sexual partner or more than one sexual partner
 - You have discharge, sores or pain in the genital area
- You have been named as a contact of someone else with an STI
- You cannot remember if you had unsafe sex (eg you were drunk)
- You or your partner have ever injected drugs
- You have had contact with someone else's blood (eg getting a tattoo)
What do I do if I am at risk? If you are at risk it is important to get checked. Click here for information on testing.
Herpes Simplex Virus How will I know if I have an STI? Most people do not experience any symptoms. However, if you do have symptoms they may include: - Unusual discharge from the penis or vagina
- Pain or irritation when passing urine or during sexual intercourse
- Sores, blisters, ulcers, warts, lumps or rashes in the genital or anal area
- Itchiness or irritation in the genital or anal area
- Pain in the lower abdomen
Some STIs such as HIV and Hepatitis B can initially seem like a "flu-like" illness. Do not wait for these symptoms to
go away-the infection could still be in your body and cause health problems in the future. For individual information on specific STIs click on the links below.
Other Useful Sexual Health Information
Woman to Woman
For information on female to female sexual health click here. Men Who Have Sex With Men
For information on male to male sexual health click here. Just For Guys
For useful information on specifically male sexual health issues click here. Guide To Health for Lesbian and Bisexual Women
For information on health issues written for bisexual and lesbian women click here.
To download the booklet "A Guide to Lesbian Health" click here. For other information on STIs and sexual health issues, including pdfs you can download and print, visit FPWA's Information Sheets webpage.
References
1. Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Program 2005, Understanding and Preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Department of Health, Perth, Western Australia.
2.Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Program 2006, Quarterly Surveillance of Notifiable STIs & BBVs in Western Australia, January-March 2006, vol.3, no.2. Department of Health, Perth, Western Australia.
3. Family Planning Western Australia 2006, FPWA Sexual Health Information. [Online], Available from:
http://www.fpwa.org.au/healthinformation/, Perth, Western Australia.
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