Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

STIs are common. Many people do not have symptoms, so they may not know they have an infection. If STIs are not treated, they can cause serious health problems. These can include trouble getting pregnant, some cancers, pregnancy problems, and a higher chance of getting HIV.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a common STI caused by bacteria. It can pass through vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Most people with chlamydia do not have symptoms. This means they can pass it to someone else without knowing.

Symptoms may include:

• unusual vaginal or penile discharge and 
• pain or burning during urination. 

Because symptoms can be mild or absent, regular testing is important for anyone who is sexually active.

Chlamydia can affect anyone who is sexually active. It can also pass from a pregnant person to their baby during birth. If it is not treated, it can harm the reproductive system and make it harder to get pregnant later.

Chlamydia can be cured with antibiotics. Treatment works best when the infection is found early.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a common STI caused by bacteria. It can pass through vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Many people with gonorrhea do not have symptoms. If symptoms happen, they may start weeks after infection. Some people never notice symptoms.

Symptoms may include:

• unusual vaginal or penile discharge
• pain or burning when urinating 
• pelvic or lower abdominal pain
• bleeding between periods
• testicular pain
• discomfort during sex.

Anyone who is sexually active can get gonorrhea. Testing is important because many people do not have symptoms.

Gonorrhea can be cured with antibiotics. It is important to get care as soon as possible. Treatment cannot fix damage that happened before the infection was treated.

Syphilis

Syphilis is an STI caused by bacteria. It can pass through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It can be treated with medicine.

Syphilis often starts with a small sore on the genitals or mouth. The sore is usually firm, smooth, and painless. Many people do not notice it. The sore may go away, but the infection stays in the body until it is treated.

Later, syphilis can cause a rough rash. The rash may appear on the body, hands, or feet. It usually does not itch. Other symptoms may include:

• Fever
• fatigue 
• sore throat 
• muscle aches 
• headaches 
• weight loss
• hair loss
• swollen lymph nodes.

At some stages, syphilis has no visible symptoms. Even if symptoms go away, the infection does not go away without treatment.

If syphilis is not treated, it can cause serious health problems. It can damage the brain, heart, eyes, and nerves.

Syphilis is easier to pass when sores or rashes are present. Antibiotics can treat and cure syphilis.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a very common virus. It can infect different parts of the body. Genital HPV spreads mainly through skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, oral, or anal sex.

Many people with HPV do not have symptoms. Most HPV infections go away on their own within one to two years. Some types of HPV can stay in the body and may lead to cancer, including cervical cancer.

The HPV vaccine helps prevent HPV. It works best when given before a person becomes sexually active, but it may still help later in life.

Herpes

Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus, or HSV. HSV can affect the mouth or genital area. It spreads through direct skin contact, including oral, genital, or anal contact. It can spread even when there are no visible sores.

HSV can cause fluid-filled blisters. The blisters may break open and then form a crust. Many people do not have symptoms and may not know they have HSV.

Herpes stays in the body for life. It can be inactive for long periods and then become active again. There is no cure, but antiviral medicine can reduce symptoms, lower the number of outbreaks, and lower the chance of passing it to others.

Blood-Borne Infections (BBIs)

Blood-borne infections are viruses that can be carried in blood. Examples include hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. They can pass through sex, shared needles, needle-stick injuries, pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding. Some can also be found in other body fluids.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system. Today, HIV can be managed with treatment. If HIV is not treated, it can weaken the immune system over time and may lead to AIDS.

In the first few weeks after infection, some people have mild flu-like symptoms. Many people have no symptoms for years. The only way to know if someone has HIV is to get tested.

Starting treatment early helps protect health. HIV is treated with antiretroviral therapy, also called ART. ART lowers the amount of HIV in the body and helps keep the immune system strong. When treatment lowers HIV to an undetectable level, HIV cannot be passed through sex. This is called Undetectable = Untransmittable, or U=U.

Stigma can stop people from getting HIV testing, care, and treatment. With treatment and support, people living with HIV can live long and healthy lives.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis means the liver is swollen or irritated. It is often caused by a virus. The liver helps the body digest food, store energy, and remove waste.

Hepatitis can spread in different ways. Hepatitis B can pass through some body fluids, such as blood, semen, and vaginal fluids. Hepatitis B, C, and D can pass through blood. Hepatitis A and E usually spread through food or water that has the virus in it.

Symptoms may not appear right away. When they do, they can include:

• fatigue, 
• diarrhea, 
• nausea, 
• loss of appetite, and 
• pain in the upper right side of the abdomen. 

In serious or long-term cases, hepatitis can cause yellow skin or eyes. This is called jaundice. If hepatitis is not treated, it can lead to liver scarring, liver cancer, or liver failure.

Vaccines can help prevent some types of hepatitis, including hepatitis A and hepatitis B.

Prevention and Management of STBBIs

Reducing Risk

Some things can raise your chance of getting an STBBI. These include sex without a condom, having more than one partner, or using alcohol or drugs in ways that make safer choices harder. Many STBBIs have no symptoms, so testing and prevention are important.

To protect your health and lower the chance of passing an infection to someone else, you can:

• Get tested and know your status.
• Choose not to have sex if you want to fully avoid STIs.
• Get vaccines for infections that can be prevented, such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and HPV.
• Have fewer sexual partners.
• Have sex with one partner who only has sex with you, if both of you have tested negative.
• Use condoms correctly every time you have sex.
• Ask a healthcare provider about PrEP or PEP if HIV prevention or emergency HIV treatment may be needed.

Important note

Many STIs can be tested for and treated. If one partner is treated but the other is not, the infection can pass back and forth. Both partners may need treatment at the same time.

Privacy/Confidentiality & Handling Results

STBBI testing is private and confidential. Your health information and test results are shared only with healthcare providers involved in your care. Some infections must be reported to public health. This helps people get treatment, supports follow-up care, and helps stop infections from spreading. Public health may also help notify partners without sharing your name. You can ask your healthcare provider how your information will be used

Treatment and Care

Bacterial STIs

Bacterial STIs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, are usually cured with antibiotics. The medicine depends on the infection. You may need one dose or medicine for a few days. Take all medicine exactly as directed.

Viral STIs

Most viral infections cannot be cured, except hepatitis C in many cases. Viral infections can often be managed with medicine and regular care.

• HIV: ART lowers the amount of HIV in the body. It helps people live long, healthy lives and lowers the chance of passing HIV to others.
• Herpes: Antiviral medicine can reduce symptoms, shorten outbreaks, and lower how often outbreaks happen.
• Hepatitis B: Some people may need long-term antiviral medicine. Care depends on the infection and liver health.
• Hepatitis C: Many people can be cured with antiviral medicine, often taken for 8 to 12 weeks.

HIV Care and Supports

HIV care in Canada helps people live long and healthy lives. The main treatment is ART. ART is taken every day to keep HIV under control. When ART lowers HIV to an undetectable level, HIV does not harm the immune system and cannot be passed through sex. Regular appointments and blood tests help check overall health and treatment progress.

Support can also help with emotional, mental, and social well-being. This may include counselling, peer support, and community programs.

In Canada, HIV care is private, respectful, and non-judgmental. Care may be provided by doctors, nurse practitioners, or special clinics. With treatment and support, people living with HIV can have healthy relationships, work, travel, and live a normal life span.

HIV Care during pregnancy

People living with HIV can have safe and healthy pregnancies with the right care. Taking ART every day can lower HIV to an undetectable level. This greatly lowers the chance of passing HIV to the baby during pregnancy or birth. Healthcare providers check viral load during pregnancy and may adjust treatment if needed. With good care, many people living with HIV have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies.

Facts and Myths

Myth: If you don’t have symptoms, you don’t have an STI.

Fact: Many STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, and HPV, can have no symptoms for a long time. Testing is the only way to know for sure.

Myth: The HPV vaccine is only for girls.

Fact: The HPV vaccine is recommended for people of all genders. HPV can cause genital warts and some cancers

Myth: HIV can be passed through casual contact (hugging, sharing food, or touching).

Fact: HIV cannot spread through hugging, sharing food, touching, or everyday contact. HIV spreads through certain body fluids.

Myth: Once you are treated for an STI, you can never get it again.

Fact: You can get some STIs again if you are exposed again, even after treatment.

Myth: HPV always causes cancer.

Fact: Most HPV infections go away on their own. Some long-lasting high-risk HPV infections can lead to cancer if they are not monitored or treated.

Myth: Only people with many sexual partners need STI testing.

Fact: Anyone who is sexually active may need STI testing. Even one partner can lead to exposure if an infection is present.

Myth: If you are in a long-term relationship, you don’t need STI testing.

Fact: Testing may still be helpful in a long-term relationship if either partner has not been tested before or if there has been a new risk.