Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), sometimes called Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), are infections passed from one person to another through sexual contact (vaginal, anal, or oral sex) or skin-to-skin genital contact. Many STIs have no symptoms, which is why regular testing is so important.
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🦠 STD/STI & HIV Information
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Information Menu
🟢 Chlamydia
🔥 Chlamydia LGV
(Lymphogranuloma Venereum)
(Granuloma Inguinale)
🩸 HIV
(Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
🧬 HPV
(Human Papillomavirus)
🧬 🧬 Human T-lymphotropic Virus (HTLV)
🦠 Intestinal Parasites
(Sexually Transmitted)
💎 Molluscum Contagiosum
🐵 Monkeypox
(Mpox)
💋 Mononucleosis
(‘Mono’ or ‘Kissing Disease’)
🔬Mycoplasma Genitalium
(Mgen)
🚻 Nongonococcal Urethritis
(NGU)
🦀 Pubic Lice
(Crabs)
🗯️ Oral Herpes
(Cold Sores)
👩 Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
(PID)
🕷️ Scabies
🌀 Syphilis
🟡 Trichomoniasis
(Trich)
🫧 Vaginal & Genital Imbalances
(BV, Yeast, etc.)
🦟 Zika Virus
🟢 Chlamydia
➡️ What is it?
A very common bacterial STI.
📊 Status: Very common worldwide - especially among people under 30.
🏈 How is it caught?
Usually through:
👉 Anal sex
👉 Oral sex
👉 Vaginal sex
👉 Sex involving toys
🤒 Symptoms:
🤫 Often asymptomatic: Many people have no symptoms at all.
👨 In men/Some Trans women:
👉 Discharge from the penis (often watery or milky)
👉 Pain or burning when peeing, pain or tenderness in the testicles,
👉 Pain in the rectum (if anal infection).
🤰In women/Trans Men:
👉 Unusual vaginal discharge
👉 Pain when peeing
👉 Bleeding between periods or after sex
👉 Lower abdominal pain.
🗣️ In throat/rectum:
Usually no symptoms, but can include pain or discharge.
💊 Treatment:
The most common antibiotics used to treat chlamydia infections are:
Doxycycline. Usually taken over seven days, is preferred.
How long should I wait to have sex if I am getting treatment for chlamydia?
Don’t have sex with anyone (intercourse, anal or oral) for at least seven days from when you began treatment.
This gives the medication time to work so you don’t infect your sexual partners. Once treatment is over, you should still practice safe sex and get tested for STIs as a part of your regular health maintenance.
⚠️ Untreated can cause
👉 Epididymitis:
Infection can spread to the testicles and the tube that carries sperm to your testicles (epididymis), causing symptoms like pain, swelling and tenderness in your testicles.
👉 Reduced fertility:
Chlamydia can harm your sperm, negatively impacting your ability to conceive.
Untreated chlamydia can spread to your bloodstream, which:
👉 Increases your risk of getting reactive arthritis, which causes your joints to swell and feel painful.
👉Increases your chances of contracting HIV.
In women, it can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), chronic pain, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy. It can also increase the risk of getting or transmitting HIV.
ℹ️ Learn about the history of chlamydia here.
📸 View STI/STD Image Gallery here
📚 Information References:
➡️ What is it?
A more aggressive type of Chlamydia infection, caused by specific strains of the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria.
It's less common than typical chlamydia but can cause more serious, invasive symptoms. It's more prevalent in specific sexual networks, especially among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM).
📊 Status:
Rare in most places but increasing among men who have sex with men in parts of Europe, North America, and Australia.
🏈 How is it Caught?
Usually through:
🍑 Anal sex
👄 Oral sex
🌸 Vaginal sex
🎮 Sex involving toys
🤒 Symptoms
LGV progresses in stages and often involves the lymph nodes.
🤕 First Stage:
A small, painless sore or blister (often overlooked) that appears at the site of infection (genitals, anus, mouth). This sore usually heals quickly.
🦵 Secondary Stage (1-4 weeks later):
🔴 Swollen, painful lymph nodes in the groin (buboes) – may burst and leak pus
🍑 If the infection is in the rectum, it may cause:
💥 Severe rectal pain
💦 Mucus discharge
🩸 Bleeding
💩🚫 Constipation
💩 Feeling like you constantly need to poo
🩻 May be mistaken for inflammatory bowel disease
Other symptoms:
🥶 Chills
🌡️ Fever
💥 Body aches
📈 Late Stage (if untreated):
🎈 Chronic swelling and tissue scarring
🐘 Genital elephantiasis – severe swelling of the genitals
🚫 Strictures – narrowing of the rectum or urethra
🔄 Fistulas – abnormal openings between organs
💊 Treatment
Requires a longer course of specific antibiotics (typically doxycycline for 21 days or more).
It's crucial to complete the entire course of medication.
⚠️ Untreated Effects
💥 Severe, irreversible damage to genital and rectal tissues
😖 Chronic pain
🧟 Disfigurement
🩸📈 Increased risk of getting or passing on HIV
📚 Information References:
Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV)
Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV)
What is LGV? (Lymphogranuloma venereum) -Sexual Health London
🔥 Chlamydia LGV (Lymphogranuloma Venereum)
➡️ What is it?
A bacterial STI caused by Haemophilus ducreyi that causes painful open sores, usually on the genitals. It's rare in many developed countries but can occur in outbreaks and is more common in some parts of Africa and the Caribbean.
📊 Status: Rare worldwide, but still occurs in some parts of Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean
🏈 How is it Caught?
Through sexual contact with someone who has open chancroid sores, or through other physical contact with a sore.
🤒 Symptoms:
🔴 Starts as small, red bumps:
These quickly turn into very painful, open sores (ulcers) on the genitals or around the anus.
🦠 Ulcer appearance:
The sores often have soft, ragged edges, a gray or yellowish-gray base, and bleed easily if touched.
💧 Discharge:
The sores may leak pus or contagious fluid.
⚠️ Pain:
Sores are usually very painful in men, but may be less noticeable or painful if located inside the vagina or on the cervix in women. Pain during urination or sex can occur.
🦵 Swollen Lymph Nodes:
In about half of cases, the lymph nodes in the groin become swollen, painful, and tender. These swollen glands (buboes) can sometimes rupture and drain pus.
💊 Treatment
Cured with antibiotics, usually a single dose or a course of several days (e.g., azithromycin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, or erythromycin). It's important to complete the full course of medication.
⚠️ Untreated Effects
Sores can persist for weeks or months, causing significant pain and potentially leading to permanent scarring. Untreated buboes can rupture and form draining abscesses. Chancroid increases the risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV due to the open sores
📚 Information References:
Chancroid: Causes, symptoms, and treatment MedicalNewsToday
🩹 Chancroid
➡️ What is it?
A very common virus belonging to the herpes family. Once infected, the virus stays in the body for life.
🏈 How is it Caught?
💧 Close contact with body fluids, including:
😗 Saliva/spit
💦 Urine/pee
🩸 Blood
🍼 Breast milk
🍆 Semen/cum
🌸 Vaginal fluids
⚠️ Can also spread through:
👶 Casual contact with infected children
🫀 Organ transplants
💉 Blood transfusions
🤒 Symptoms:
🤫 Often asymptomatic:
Most healthy people have no symptoms.
🤧 Mild symptoms (if any):
😷 Often mild or flu-like, and may include:
🌡️ Fever
😴 Fatigue
🗣️ Sore throat
🎈 Swollen glands
💪 Muscle aches
🔴 Skin rash
✅ Symptoms usually go away on their own
⚠️ Severe symptoms (rare, mainly in vulnerable groups):
Who’s at Risk for Serious CMV Issues?
👶 Newborns (congenital CMV)
🧬 People with weakened immune systems, such as:
🩸 People with HIV
🫀 Organ/stem cell transplant recipients
💉 Chemotherapy patients
🧠 CMV can affect:
👁️ Eyes – vision loss
🫁 Lungs – pneumonia
🍽️ Digestive system
🩻 Liver
🧠 Brain – encephalitis
💊 Treatment
Most healthy people do not require treatment.
Antiviral medications may be used for newborns with symptomatic congenital CMV or for individuals with weakened immune systems to manage the virus and prevent serious complications.
These medications can weaken the virus but do not cure the infection.
⚠️ Untreated Effects
👨 In healthy people:
Rarely causes serious long-term issues
👨 In people with weakened immune systems:
❗ Can lead to severe organ damage,
🔁 Chronic health problems,
🪦 And may be life-threatening if untreated
👶 Congenital CMV (passed to baby during pregnancy):
👂 Hearing loss
🧠 Developmental delays
👁️ Vision problems
📚Information references:
🌍 General & Global Information:
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Congenital CMV Infection.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Pregnancy
🇬🇧 United Kingdom Specific Resources:
🇳🇿 New Zealand Specific Resources:
🇦🇺 Australian Specific Resources:
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and pregnancy fact sheet
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) in pregnancy.
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby (Australian Government)
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (PDF)
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG)
👁️ Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Information
🥩 Donovanosis
➡️ What is it?
A chronic bacterial STI caused by Klebsiella granulomatis.
📊 Status:
Very rare in places like the USA, UK, Europe, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand, with most cases linked to travel
More common in tropical and subtropical regions, including parts of Papua New Guinea, India, Southern Africa, Northern Australia, Brazil, and the Caribbean
🏈 How is it Caught?
🍑 Vaginal sex
🍆 Anal sex
💥 Likely spread through direct contact with sores
🙅♂️ Non-sexual transmission is rare
🤒 Symptoms
Usually appear 1-12 weeks after infection, but can take up to a year.
🚫 Painless bumps/sores:
Starts as one or more small, painless red bumps (papules or nodules) on or near the genitals or anus.
🥩 Beefy-red ulcers:
These bumps slowly enlarge and break down into characteristic "beefy-red," raised, velvety ulcers that bleed easily when touched. The edges of the ulcers may be irregular or "snake-like."
👃 Foul smell:
Sores may develop an offensive smell if a secondary bacterial infection occurs.
📈 Spreading lesions:
Without treatment, the sores progressively grow and destroy surrounding genital tissue. They can also appear in the mouth or throat if oral sex was involved.
💊 Treatment
Curable with a prolonged course of antibiotics (e.g., azithromycin, doxycycline).
Treatment typically lasts at least 3 weeks or until all sores have completely healed.
Follow-up is crucial as recurrence can happen.
⚠️ Untreated Effects
🛑 Ulcers can persist and grow
🩹 Can cause scarring and disfigurement
💢 Blocked lymph vessels may lead to painful swelling
🚪 Narrowing of the vagina, anus, or urethra
🦴 Rarely, infection can spread to bones or organs
🧬 Increases risk of HIV transmission
⚠️ Long-lasting ulcers may rarely become cancerous
📚 Information References
🌍 General & Global Information:
Granuloma Inguinale (Donovanosis)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Donovanosis (Granuloma Inguinale, Granuloma Venereum PDF)
World Health Organization (WHO)
Granuloma Inguinale (Donovanosis)
🇬🇧 United Kingdom Specific Resources:
Rare ‘flesh eating’ STI becoming more common in the UK, says doctor.
🇳🇿 New Zealand Specific Resources:
🇦🇺 Australian Specific Resources:
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.
Donovanosis (granuloma inguinale) - including symptoms, treatment and prevention
🥦 Genital Herpes
(HSV-1, HSV-2)
➡️ What is it?
A common viral infection that causes sores, usually around the genitals or mouth. It is not curable, but manageable.
📊 Status: Very common worldwide
🏈 How is it Caught?
💥 A herpes sore (even if it's healing)
💋 Saliva from someone with oral herpes
🍑 Genital fluids from someone with genital herpes
🤝 Skin-to-skin contact — around the mouth if they have oral herpes, or the genitals if they have genital herpes
🤒 Symptoms:
🤫 Often mild or absent: Many people don't know they have it.
🫧 Outbreaks
Clusters of small, painful blisters that break open to form sores in:
⚙️ Genitals (penis, vulva, vagina)
🥜 Balls (testicles)
🍑 Anus (butthole)
👄 Mouth (lips, inside of the mouth)
👁️ Eye (rare but possible)
🤒 First outbreak
Can be more severe with flu-like symptoms:
🌡️ Fever
💪 Body aches
🦵 Swollen glands
🔄 Recurrent outbreaks:
Usually less severe and shorter in duration.
💊 Treatment
No cure, but antiviral medications can help manage symptoms, reduce the frequency and severity of outbreaks, and lower the risk of transmission to partners.
How to Deal with Outbreaks Yourself
Do:
✅ Keep the area clean using plain or salt water to prevent blisters becoming infected
apply an ice pack wrapped in a flannel to soothe pain
✅ Apply petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) or painkilling cream (such as 5% lidocaine) to reduce pain when you pee
✅ Wash your hands before and after applying cream or jelly
✅ Pee while pouring water over your genitals to ease the pain
Do Not:
❌ Do not wear tight clothing that may irritate blisters or sores
❌ Do not put ice directly on the skin
❌ Do not touch your blisters or sores unless you're applying cream
❌ Do not have vaginal, anal or oral sex until the sores have gone away
⚠️ Untreated Effects
While not life-threatening, untreated herpes can lead to more frequent and severe outbreaks, significant discomfort, and in rare cases, complications in people with weakened immune systems. It also increases the risk of HIV transmission.
🤝 Practical Sex & Living with Herpes:
🗣️ Communicate with Partners/Sex worker/Client:
It's essential and respectful to discuss your herpes status with any potential sexual partners before engaging in sexual activity. This allows them to make informed decisions.
🚫 Avoid Sex During Outbreaks
The risk of transmitting herpes is highest when you have visible sores, blisters, or feel tingling/itching (prodromal symptoms) that indicate an outbreak is starting.
It's best to avoid all sexual contact (vaginal, anal, oral) from the first sign of an outbreak until all sores have completely healed and new skin has formed.
💯 Use Condoms Consistently
Even when you don't have an outbreak, condoms can help reduce the risk of transmission, although they don't cover all affected skin. Use them correctly and consistently for every sexual act.
💊 Antiviral Medication
Taking daily antiviral medication (suppressive therapy) can significantly reduce the frequency of outbreaks and lower the risk of transmitting the virus to partners by 70-90%. Discuss this option with your doctor.
🧼 Wash Hands
Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching any sores to prevent spreading the virus to other parts of your body or to others.
🚨 Be Aware of Prodromal Symptoms
Learn to recognise the early signs of an impending outbreak (like tingling, itching, or pain) so you can avoid sex and prevent transmission.
🤔 Remember: While herpes can be managed, it requires ongoing awareness and communication. Many people with herpes have fulfilling sex lives by taking precautions and being open with their partners.
📚 Information References:
🌎 General & Global Information:
Herpes - STI Treatment Guidelines
Genital herpes - Symptoms and causes
World Health Organization (WHO)
🇬🇧 United Kingdom Specific Resources:
Genital herpes – the basics PDF
BASHH (British Association for Sexual Health and HIV)
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
🇳🇿 New Zealand Specific Resources:
New Zealand Sexual Health Society (NZSHS)
What is Genital Herpes? - HE1443
🇦🇺 Australian Specific Resources:
🗯️ Oral Herpes
(Cold Sores)
➡️ What is it?
A common viral infection caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), most often HSV-1.
It typically causes sores around the mouth, commonly known as cold sores or fever blisters, but can also cause genital herpes through oral-genital contact
📊 Status: Very common worldwide
🏈 How is it Caught?
💋 Direct Contact:
👄 Mostly through kissing or close contact with someone who has it
🥤 Can also spread by sharing cups, utensils, lip balm, or toothbrushes
👶 Many people catch it as children, through non-sexual contact
🍆 Sexual Transmission:
It can spread during oral sex.
If someone with oral herpes gives oral sex, they can pass the virus to their partner’s genitals.
Also, if someone with genital herpes gives oral sex, they can pass it to their partner’s mouth.
🤫 No Symptoms?
The virus can spread even when there are no sores or symptoms, but it’s most contagious when sores are visible.
🛡️ Prevention:
Using Listerine® Cool Mint mouthwash can temporarily reduce HSV‑1 (oral herpes) virus levels in your saliva.
In a small clinical study, people rinsed for 30 seconds and had no detectable virus right afterward, with effects lasting for at least 30 minutes
🤒 Symptoms:
🤫 Often mild or absent: Many people don't know they have it.
If symptoms occur, they usually involve outbreaks around the mouth or lips:
Clusters of small, painful blisters that break opeIf symptoms occur, they usually involve outbreaks around the mouth or lips:
😠 Tingling, itching, or burning sensation before sores appear.
🫧 Small, painful, fluid-filled blisters that form in clusters, most commonly on the lips or around the mouth.
🩹 Blisters burst and crust over, forming scabs before healing (typically within 7-10 days).
🤒 First outbreak
Can be more severe with flu-like symptoms:
🌡️ Fever
💪 Body aches
🦵 Swollen glands
🔄 Recurrent outbreaks:
Usually less severe and shorter in duration.
💊 Treatment
No cure, but antiviral medications can help manage symptoms, reduce the frequency and severity of outbreaks, and lower the risk of transmission to partners.
⚡ Common triggers that can wake the virus:
😔 Stress
🤒 Being sick (cold, flu)
😴 Feeling tired
♀️ Hormone changes (like during periods)
☀️ Sunlight or UV exposure (especially for cold sores)
🔥 Friction or skin irritation (tight clothes, rough sex)
📉 Weakened immune system
🔪 Surgery near the area
🍫 Certain foods (like nuts or chocolate), though this isn’t certain
💡 How to manage and reduce outbreaks
💊 Antiviral meds
Take right when you feel warning signs to make outbreaks shorter and milder
Daily meds can reduce outbreaks by 70–80% and lower chances of passing herpes to partners
🛑 Avoid triggers if you know what causes your outbreaks
🧼 Take care
Keep the area clean, wear loose clothes, use cool compresses, and take pain relief if needed
🚫 Avoid sex during outbreaks
Herpes spreads easiest when sores or warning signs are present
💯 Use condoms consistently
Even when no symptoms are there, condoms reduce the risk but don’t cover all areas
🤫 Remember:
Herpes can still spread even without sores, so talk openly with partners and take precautions
📚 Information References:
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV): Types Symptoms, & Treatment
Oral Herpes: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment Cleveland Clinic
World Health Organization (WHO)
Understanding Oral Herpes—Answers to Your Questions
ASHAAmerican Sexual Health Association
STI Guidelines Aotearoa New Zealand - Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
💧Gonorrhoea
➡️ What is it?
Gonorrhoea is a common bacterial STI that can infect the genitals, throat, or rectum.
📊 Status: Very common worldwide
🏈 How is it Caught?
Unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex
🤒 Symptoms
🤫 Often no symptoms:
Many people don’t know they have it.
👨 In men/trans women:
💧 White, yellow, or green discharge from the penis,
🔥 Pain or burning when peeing,
🎈 Painful or swollen testicle/balls..
👩 In women/trans men
💧 Vaginal discharge (watery, creamy, or slightly green)
🔥 Pain or burning when peeing, bleeding between periods, and lower belly pain.
🗣️ In throat or rectum/bum:
Usually no symptoms, but can cause:
🤒 Sore throat
💧Discharge
🐜 Itching
🩸Bleeding
💊 Treatment
Gonorrhoea can be cured usually one injection plus antibiotics.
⚠️ Untreated Effects
Similar to chlamydia, untreated gonorrhoea can lead to serious health issues like PID in women, epididymitis in men, infertility, and in rare cases, can spread to the blood or joints, becoming life-threatening. It also increases HIV risk.
📚 Information References:
🌎 General & Global Information:
Gonorrhea - Symptoms and causes
Multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea
World Health Organization (WHO)
🇬🇧United Kingdom Specific Resources:
British Association for Sexual Health and HIV
National Guideline for the Management of Infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae PDF
The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH)
Gonorrhoea: guidance, data and analysis.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
🇳🇿 New Zealand Specific Resources:
STI Guidelines Aotearoa New Zealand - Gonorrhoea.
New Zealand Sexual Health Society (NZSHS)
🇦🇺 Australian Specific Resources:
🦾 Super Gonorrhoea
(Drug Resistant)
➡️ What is it?
A drug-resistant form of gonorrhoea caused by strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae that no longer respond to most antibiotics. In some cases, it may be very hard or currently impossible to treat. It's a serious global health concern.
📊 Status:
Rare, but increasing worldwide, especially in places with high gonorrhoea rates and antibiotic misuse.
Notable cases have been reported in:
🇬🇧 the UK, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇹🇭 Thailand, and 🇺🇸 the USA.
Health experts warn it could become more common without better prevention and treatment.
🏈 How is it Caught?
🍑🍆 Through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex
🔁 From a partner who wasn’t fully cured or didn’t get re-tested
👄 Can infect the throat through oral sex
🧪 Even if you have no symptoms, you can still pass it on
🤒 Symptoms
Same as regular gonorrhoea:
🤢 Discharge
💧 Pain when peeing
🔥 Burning or itching
🚽 Needing to pee often
😖 Genital pain
⚠️ The key difference:
Symptoms may not go away after treatment or may get worse despite antibiotics.
💊 Treatment
Doctors may need to use stronger or combined antibiotics based on local resistance patterns. There are very few options left, and new drugs are still in development.
⚠️ Untreated Effects
Super Gonorrhoea can cause serious complications:
Infertility
PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease)
DGI (Disseminated Gonococcal Infection)
These are harder to manage and potentially life-threatening if the infection resists treatment.
🛡️ Prevention
Since treatment is getting harder, prevention is critical:
🩹 Use condoms every time
🧪 Get tested regularly (even if you have no symptoms)
🔁 Re-test after treatment to make sure it worked
📚 Information References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Drug-Resistant Gonorrhea;
Burnett Foundation Aotearoa
🌍 General & Global Information:
Multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea
World Health Organization (WHO)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Antimicrobial resistance in gonorrhoea: Rising threat to treatment efficacy
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
🇬🇧 United Kingdom Specific Resources:
Antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea cases rising in England
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
New reports of extremely-drug-resistant gonorrhoea pose significant risks for sexual health
🍎 Hepatitis A
➡️ What is it?
A viral infection of the liver that is usually acute (short-term) and does not lead to chronic disease.
📊 Status: Common in areas with poor sanitation
🏈 How is it Caught?
💩 Poo/fecal contaminated:
🍽️ Food
💧Drinking
🤝 Close contact with someone who has the virus
💉 Prevention
A safe and effective vaccine is available for Hepatitis A in some countries.
Practicing good hand hygiene (especially after using the bathroom and before preparing food) and ensuring safe food and water practices are also crucial.
🤒 Symptoms
🤫 Often no symptoms:
Many people (especially children), may have no symptoms.
🤢 When symptoms occur:
Sudden onset of:
🌡️ Fever
😴 Fatigue
🍽️🚫 Loss of appetite
🤢 Nausea
🤮 Vomiting
😖 Stomach pain,
💦 Dark urine
💩 Clay-colored bowel movements/poo
🦴 Joint pain
👁️ Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) Symptoms usually last less than 2 months.
💊 Treatment
There is no specific treatment for Hepatitis A. Care focuses on supportive measures to relieve symptoms. Most people recover fully without long-term liver damage.
⚠️ Untreated Effects
Hepatitis A rarely causes severe illness, but in rare cases, particularly in older adults or those with underlying liver disease, it can lead to acute liver failure, which can be fatal.
📚 Information References:
🌍 General & Global Information
World Health Organization (WHO)
Clinical Overview of Hepatitis A
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
🇬🇧 United Kingdom Specific Resources:
Hepatitis A: guidance, data and analysis.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
🇳🇿 New Zealand Specific Resources:
Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC)
Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand
🇦🇺 Australian Specific Resources:
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
Hepatitis A - CDNA National Guidelines for Public Health Units.
Communicable Diseases Network Australia
🌏 Asia Specific Resources:
World Health Organization (WHO)
South-East Asia Hepatitis A / Viral Hepatitis
World Health Organization (WHO)
🩸Hepatitis B
➡️ What is it?
A viral infection of the liver that is usually acute (short-term) and does not lead to chronic disease.
📊 Status: Very common worldwide especially in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific.
🏈 How is it Caught?
🍆 Unprotected sex (contact with semen or vaginal fluids)
💉 Sharing needles or injecting equipment
👶 From parent to baby during birth
🩸 Contact with infected blood or other body fluids
💉 Prevention
A safe and highly effective vaccine is available for Hepatitis B. Practicing safe sex and not sharing needles also help prevent transmission.
🤒 Symptoms
🤫 Often no symptoms:
Many people may have no symptoms.
🤢 When symptoms occur
🌡️ Fever
😴 Fatigue
🍽️🚫 Loss of appetite
🤢 Nausea
🤮 Vomiting
😖 Stomach pain,
💦 Dark urine
🦴 Joint pain
👁️ Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) Symptoms can last for several weeks
💊 Treatment
No specific treatment for acute Hepatitis B; care focuses on comfort.
Chronic Hepatitis B can be managed with antiviral medications, often lifelong, to control the virus and reduce liver damage.
⚠️ Untreated Effects
Chronic Hepatitis B can lead to serious liver problems, including cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver failure, and liver cancer, which can be fatal.
📚 Information References:
🌍 General & Global Information:
World Health Organization (WHO)
Hepatitis B: What It Is, Symptoms, Transmission & Treatment
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Hepatitis B - Symptoms & causes
🇬🇧 United Kingdom Specific Resources:
Hepatitis B: guidance, data and analysis.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
Hepatitis B: A guide to your care in pregnancy and after your baby is born. PDF
🇳🇿 New Zealand Specific Resources:
Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand
STI Guidelines Aotearoa New Zealand - Hepatitis A, B and C.
New Zealand Sexual Health Society (NZSHS)
The Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand
🇦🇺 Australian Specific Resources:
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
Australian Immunisation Handbook
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
🌎 South America Specific Resources:
Pan American Health Organization
Brazil Ministry of Health (Ministério da Saúde).
Argentina Ministry of Health | Ministerio de Salud
🌏 Asia Specific Resources:
World Health Organization (WHO)
Ministry of Health (MOH) Singapore
National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), Singapore.
Communicable Diseases Surveillance in Singapore - Hepatitis B. PDF
Hepatitis B epidemiology and prevention
China CDC (Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention)
🦠 Hepatitis C
➡️ What is it?
A viral infection that attacks the liver. Often becomes a chronic infection.
📊 Status:
🔴 Higher rates
🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇵🇰 Pakistan, 🇷🇺 Russia
🌍 Parts of Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and some African countries.
🟠 Moderate rates
🇺🇸 USA, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇨🇳 China
🟢 Lower rates
🇬🇧 UK, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇦🇺 Australia,
🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇪🇺 Most of Western Europe
🏈 How is it Caught?
💉 Mostly through sharing needles or injecting equipment
🍆 Can spread through sex — more likely with rough sex, lots of partners, or if other STIs are present
👶 Can pass from parent to baby during birth
🤒 Symptoms
🤫 Often no symptoms for many years, even with chronic infection.
🌡️ When symptoms occur (for acute infection):
🌡️ Fever
😴 Fatigue (feeling very tired)
🚽 Dark urine
💩 Clay-coloured poo
😖 Stomach pain
🤢 Nausea
🤮 Vomiting
🦴💥 Joint pain
💛 Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)
💊 Treatment
There are highly effective antiviral medications that can cure Hepatitis C for most people.
⚠️ Untreated Effects
Chronic Hepatitis C can lead to serious liver damage over time, including cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.
📚 Information References:
Hepatitis A, B, and C | Symptoms & treatment options
Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa
Basit H, Koirala J. Hepatitis C. [Updated 2023 Mar 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430897/
🌍 General & Global Information
World Health Organization (WHO)
Hepatitis C Information Symptoms, Prevention, Treatment & Testing
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Hepatitis C - Symptoms & causes
🇬🇧 United Kingdom Specific Resources:
Hepatitis C: guidance, data and analysis.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
🇳🇿 New Zealand Specific Resources:
The Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand.
STI Guidelines Aotearoa New Zealand - Hepatitis A, B and C.
New Zealand Sexual Health Society (NZSHS)
🇦🇺 Australian Specific Resources:
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
🌎 South America Specific Resources:
The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases
Argentina Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud)
🌏 Asia Specific Resources:
Communicable Diseases Agency Singapore
Hepatitis C epidemiology and control.
China CDC (Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention)
🧫 Hepatitis D
(HDV)
➡️ What is it?
Hepatitis D is a special kind of virus that can’t spread or grow on its own — it needs Hepatitis B to survive. So, you can only get Hepatitis D if you already have Hepatitis B.
📊 Status:
Rare worldwide, but more common in some regions like parts of:
Eastern Europe
Central Asia
Middle East
Africa
Especially among people with chronic Hepatitis B or those who inject drugs.
🏈 How is it Caught?
Hepatitis D spreads in similar ways to Hepatitis B- mainly through:
🩸Blood contact e.g.
💉 Sharing needles or other injecting gear
🤰👶 from parent to baby during birth .
It can also be passed through sex without a condom:
🍑 Anal
🍆 Vaginal
but this is less common than with Hepatitis B.
Theoretically possible through oral sex, it is considered very low risk for Hepatitis D transmission.
💉 Vaccination
Vaccination against Hepatitis B effectively prevents Hepatitis D infection in those not already infected with HBV.
🤒 Symptoms
⏳ It takes 2–8 weeks to develop symptoms after exposure symptoms include:
💦 Dark urine
💩 Pale poo (stools)
👁️ Jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes)
🍽️🚫 Loss of appetite
😖 Abdominal pain and tenderness
🤢 Nausea and vomiting
🌡️ Fever
💊 Treatment
🧪 Pegylated interferon is the main medication used. It works by helping the immune system fight the virus. Treatment usually lasts at least 48 weeks, but only some people respond well.
🩺 Newer treatments (like bulevirtide) are being developed and used in some countries, but access may be limited.
🧬 If you have both Hepatitis B and D, your doctor will focus on treating both infections and monitoring your liver health closely.
🍏 A healthy lifestyle - avoiding alcohol and managing other health conditions is also important to protect your liver.
🏥 In severe cases, especially with advanced liver damage, liver transplant may be needed.
⚠️ Untreated Effects
🧠 Liver inflammation that gets worse over time
🩹 Cirrhosis:
Scarring of the liver, which can stop it from working properly
🩸 Liver failure
🎯 Liver cancer (Hepatocellular carcinoma): A higher risk than with Hepatitis B alone
📉 Shortened life expectancy if the liver becomes too damaged
🏥 May lead to needing a liver transplant in advanced cases
📚 Information References:
🌎 General & Global Information
World Health Organization (WHO)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
🇬🇧 United Kingdom Specific Resources:
🇳🇿 New Zealand Specific Resources:
The Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand
Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand
🇦🇺 Australian Specific Resources:
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
🌎 South America Specific Resources:
Brazil Ministry of Health (Ministério da Saúde)
🌏 Asia Specific Resources:
Abbas Z, Jafri W, Raza S. Hepatitis D: Scenario in the Asia-Pacific region.
World J Gastroenterol. 2010 Feb 7;16(5):554-62. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i5.554. PMID: 20128022; PMCID: PMC2816266.
Hepatitis D: Looking Back, Looking Forward, Seeing the Reward and the Promise Heller, Theo et al.
Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Volume 21, Issue 8, 2051 - 2064
🚰 Hepatitis E
(HEV)
➡️ What is it?
Hepatitis E is a short-term liver infection caused by a virus called HEV. It’s found all over the world and is one of the most common causes of sudden liver inflammation.
📊 Status:
📈 High in Some Regions:
HEV is most common in parts of:
🌍 Sub-Saharan Africa
🕌 South & Central Asia
🏯 East Asia
In areas like:
🇪🇺 Europe, 🇺🇸 North America, 🇦🇺 Australia, and 🇳🇿 New Zealand, HEV is being found more often too but in a different way:
🐷 Mostly from animals (genotypes 3 & 4)
🍖 Spread by eating undercooked pork, wild boar, venison, or shellfish
🏈 How is it Caught?
🚽 Fecal/Poo–Oral Route:
The virus is passed out in poop and can enter someone else’s body through the mouth - usually via dirty water or food.
💧 Contaminated Water
Most common in countries with poor sanitation
🍽️ Contaminated Food
🥩 Undercooked meat:
Especially pork, wild boar, or venison (common in developed countries – genotypes 3 & 4)
🦪 Shellfish:
Can collect the virus from dirty water
🥬 Raw/unwashed produce:
Grown with dirty irrigation water
🧑🤝🧑 Person-to-Person Contact
Less common than Hep A
Can happen through close contact or poor hygiene 👐
🤰👶 Mother-to-Baby Transmission
Can happen during pregnancy or birth
🩸 Blood Transfusions
Rare, but possible, especially where blood isn’t properly screened
💉 Vaccine
A vaccine for Hepatitis E (Hecolin®) is licensed and available in China and a few other countries.
It has been used successfully in outbreak responses (e.g., in South Sudan) but is not globally available or part of routine immunisation schedules in most other countries.
🤒 Symptoms
Most people with Hepatitis E don’t feel sick or only have mild symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they usually show up 2–10 weeks after exposure and can last for 2–6 weeks.
Here are the common symptoms:
💛 Jaundice – Yellowing of the skin and eyes
💦 Dark pee & 💩 Pale poo
😴 Extreme tiredness and weakness
🤢 Nausea, 🤮 vomiting, and 😖 stomach pain
🍽️🚫 Loss of appetite
🌡️ Fever
🫃 Swollen liver (hepatomegaly)
💊 Treatment
🟢 Acute Hepatitis E (Most People):
For most healthy people, no special treatment is needed.
Hepatitis E usually clears up on its own in a few weeks or months.
Supportive care includes:
🛌 Rest, 💧 Hydration, 🥗 Nutrition,
🍷🚫 Avoid alcohol and unnecessary meds – These can make liver damage worse
🏥 Hospital care may be needed in severe cases, especially if liver failure develops.
🔴 Chronic Hepatitis E (in people with weak immune systems):
In people with weakened immunity (like organ transplant recipients or those with HIV), Hepatitis E can become chronic and cause serious liver damage.
Treatment may include:
🧪 Reducing immune-suppressing meds – If possible, this helps the body fight the virus
💊 Ribavirin – The main antiviral medicine, taken as pills for 3–6 months
💉 Pegylated Interferon (PEG-IFNα) – Used in rare cases if Ribavirin isn’t suitable, but it can have strong side effects and isn’t safe for everyone
🚨 Special Cases:
👩🍼 Pregnant people – Ribavirin is not safe during pregnancy. Care focuses on monitoring and supportive treatment.
🫀 People with existing liver disease – They need extra monitoring, as HEV can cause serious complications.
⚠️ Untreated Effects
✅ For most healthy people, Hepatitis E is mild and clears up on its own.
The body fights off the virus, and most people recover fully with lifelong immunity.
But for some people, the illness can become very serious:
👩🍼 Pregnant People (especially in 3rd trimester):
🫀 Higher risk of acute liver failure
❌ Miscarriage or stillbirth
⚰️ Death in up to 1 in 4 cases (15–25%)
This is more likely with genotypes 1 and 2.
🛡️ People with Weakened Immune Systems (e.g., HIV, organ transplant):
🔁 May develop chronic Hepatitis E
🧬 Leads to liver scarring (fibrosis) or cirrhosis
💊 Needs antiviral treatment or reduced immunosuppressants
🫀 People with Existing Liver Disease:
🧨 At risk of liver failure if they catch Hep E
⚠️ May experience acute-on-chronic liver failure
⚰️ Higher chance of severe illness or death
📚 Information References:
🌎 Worldwide/Global Information:
World Health Organization (WHO)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2025, January 31)
CDPH IDB Guidance for Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Infection. (July 2023).
California Department of Public Health
Hepatitis E Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Complications.
Hepatitis E in immunocompromised individuals.
Hepatitis E virus persists in the presence of a type III interferon response.
Hepatitis E virus infection during pregnancy.
German National Library of Medicine
🇬🇧 United Kingdom Specific Resources:
What causes hepatitis E and who is most at risk?
Public Health Scotland. (2025, May 22).
🇳🇿 New Zealand Specific Resources:
The Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand
🇦🇺 Australian Specific Resources:
NSW Health. (2022, November 8)
Hepatitis E (2023, November 8)
🌎 South America Specific Resources:
Hepatitis E Virus Research in Brazil: Looking Back and Forwards.
🌏 Asia Specific Resources:
Centre for Health Protection (CHP)
Communicable Diseases Agency (Singapore)
Nationwide survey of hepatitis E virus infection among wildlife in Japan.
Hepatitis E Questions and Answers for Health Professionals.
Disease information about hepatitis E.
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC): ECDC. (2017, June 26).
💩 Hepatitis G
(GBV-C/Pegivirus HPgV)
➡️ What is it?
Hepatitis G, now often called human pegivirus (HPgV), is a virus related to Hepatitis C but is not known to cause serious liver damage.
🔍 Unlike Hepatitis A–E, it doesn’t lead to hepatitis (liver inflammation).
🧬 Some studies suggest it might slow HIV progression in people who have both viruses - but more research is needed.
📊 Status:
Occasional but not well tracked
Hepatitis G is found worldwide, but routine testing isn’t common because it rarely causes illness.
Many people may carry the virus without knowing, and it’s not considered a major public health concern.
🏈 How is it Caught?
💉 Sharing needles
🩸 Blood transfusions (rare)
🧍➡️🧍♂️ Organ transplant – If the donor had the virus.
🍑🍆 Sexual contact - Possible, but less common than with Hep B or C.
🤰👶 During childbirth – Can pass from an infected mother to her baby.
🤒 Symptoms
😶 Usually no symptoms – Most people don’t feel sick or notice anything unusual.
⚠️ If symptoms do happen (rare):
🌀 Mild and vague (not specific to the liver)
🫥 Might feel a bit off, but nothing major
🧪 Liver tests (like ALT) usually normal or only slightly hi
💊 Treatment
❌ There’s no specific treatment for Hepatitis G, because:
👉 It usually doesn’t make people sick
👉 It doesn’t cause serious liver damage like Hep B or C
📆 It can stay in your body long-term (chronic), but:
👉 It doesn’t lead to liver disease, cirrhosis, or liver cancer
👉 People often have it without knowing and don’t need treatment
🤝 If someone has Hep G along with Hep B, C, or HIV, it usually doesn’t make those conditions worse.
📚 Information References:
🌏 General & Global Information:
The Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand
What is hepatitis G and how can a person prevent it?
Is the Hepatitis G Virus a Hidden Menace to Liver Health in Specific Populations?
ResearchGate (Hassan Youssef Hussein et al.). (2024)
Hepatitis G virus infection in haemodialysis patients: Is the prevalence still so significant?
Elsevier (Diálisis y Trasplante). (2013)
PMC (Indian J Med Microbiol. 2007)
🇬🇧 United Kingdom Specific Resources:
GB Virus C/Hepatitis G Virus (GBV-C/HGV): still looking for a disease
🇦🇺 Australian Specific Resources:
🩸 HIV
(Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
➡️ What is it?
HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. If left untreated, it can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).
Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) People on HIV treatment with an undetectable viral load can’t pass it on through sex.
📊 Status: Common worldwide
🏈 How is it Caught?
🍑🍆 Unprotected/Condomless Sex
HIV is mainly passed through vaginal or anal sex without a condom.
🍑 Vaginal sex – high risk if no condom
🍆 Anal sex – highest risk without a condom
👄 Oral sex – very low risk; no confirmed cases, but still possible if there are cuts or bleeding gums.
🧪 Through certain body fluids
🩸 Blood, 🍆 Semen (cum), 💦 Pre-cum,
🍑 Rectal fluids, 🌸 Vaginal fluids, 🍼 Breast milk
Other Ways it can be Passed:
💉 Sharing needles or syringes
🤰👶 From parent to baby during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding
🏥 Accidental needle sticks (healthcare workers)
🩻 Blood transfusions (rare in countries with proper screening)
🛡️ HIV Prevention
🩹 Use condoms:
Wear them every time for vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
💊 PrEP: A pill or injection for HIV-negative people to prevent getting HIV. Learn more here
⏱️ PEP: Emergency pills taken within 72 hours after possible exposure. Learn more here
💉 Don’t share needles: Always use clean, sterile gear for injecting drugs.
🧪 Get tested: Know your HIV status and your partner’s too.
🤒 Symptoms
1️⃣ Acute HIV (first 2–4 weeks):
Some people get flu-like symptoms soon after infection.
Common signs:
🤧 Feeling sick
🌡️ Fever
😴 Tiredness
💪 Muscle aches
🔴 Skin rash
🤯 Headache
🗣️ Sore throat
💧 Swollen glands
👅💥 Mouth ulcers
☝️ These can be mild or missed completely - some people feel totally fine.
2️⃣ No Symptoms (Clinical Latency):
After the early stage, HIV can be silent for years - sometimes 10 or more.
The virus is still there, but you might not feel sick at all.
3️⃣ AIDS (Advanced HIV):
If untreated, HIV can weaken the immune system over time.
Signs include:
📉 Fast weight loss
🌡️ Repeated fevers
😓 Night sweats
💧 Swollen glands
💩 Long-lasting diarrhoea
💥 Sores on the mouth, anus, or genitals
🫁 Infections like pneumonia
🧠🚫 Memory problems
💊 Treatment
There are highly effective antiviral medications that can cure Hepatitis C for most people.
⚠️ Untreated Effects
Without treatment, HIV progressively damages the immune system, leading to AIDS.
AIDS makes the body highly vulnerable to opportunistic infections (infections that a healthy immune system could normally fight off) and certain cancers, which can be life-threatening.
📚 Information References:
Chapters and Articles (Overview of ART, Prevention & HIV/AIDS)
Early HIV symptoms: What are they?
Infectious Diseases Society of America
Top 10 Stigma-Busting Myths About HIV
By Demetre C. Daskalakis, December 1, 2017
Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and mortality of HIV, 1980–2017, and forecasts to 2030, for 195 countries and territories: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017
The Lancet HIV, Volume 6, Issue 12, e831 - e859
HIV.gov. (n.d.). PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
New Zealand Specific Guidance on PrEP & PEP:
Burnett Foundation Aotearoa. (n.d.). PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis).
Burnett Foundation Aotearoa. (n.d.). Emergency HIV Prevention - PEP.
BPAC NZ (n.d.). B-QuiCK: HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
New Zealand Sexual Health Society (NZSHS). (2024, June). PrEP and PEP Guidelines for Aotearoa New Zealand. Note: This is a direct PDF link
Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand.
HIV and AIDS information for health professionals. (Includes sections on PrEP and PEP)
🧬 HPV
(Human Papillomavirus)
➡️ What is it?
A viral infection. Some types cause genital warts, while others can cause certain cancers. Not all types are high-risk.
📊 Status: Very common
🏈 How is it Caught?
Through:
🤝 Skin-to-skin contact (usually during sex)
🫱🍑 It doesn’t require full penetrative sex. You can catch it through:
🌸 🍆 👄 Vaginal, anal, or oral sex
👉👈 Genital rubbing or touching
🎮 Sharing sex toys
Rarely, it may also be passed from a pregnant person to their baby during birth
💉 Vaccine Prevention
Safe, free (or low-cost) in many places.
It protects against the most harmful types (like those causing cancer or genital warts)
Best given before you become sexually active, but still helpful afterward
🤒 Symptoms
🤫 Often no symptoms:
Many HPV infections cause no symptoms and go away on their own.
🥦 Genital/Anus Warts
Small or large, flat or raised, flesh-coloured red bumps or cauliflower-like growths on or around the genitals or anus.
🎗️ Cancer-causing types:
Usually no symptoms until advanced stages of cancer develop.
💊 Treatment:
Warts can be treated with topical medications, freezing, or surgical removal, but the virus often remains. There is no cure for the HPV virus itself.
⚠️ Untreated Effects:
Certain high-risk HPV types can lead to cancers of the cervix, anus, penis, mouth, and throat if left untreated over many years. Vaccination is available and highly recommended to prevent many high-risk HPV infections.
📚 Information References
HPV Information Centre (Catalan Institute of Oncology - ICO & IARC)
Website: https://hpvcentre.net/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Website: https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/
Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) and cervical cancer
World Health Organization (WHO)
HPV (Human Papillomavirus): Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
StatPearls - Human Papillomavirus
New Zealand Specific Information & Guidelines:
Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand
Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand
Human papillomavirus (HPV) page
Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC)
Sexually Transmitted Infections Education Foundation (STIEF)
New Zealand HPV Project
🧬 🧬 Human T-lymphotropic Virus (HTLV)
➡️ What is it?
A retrovirus (similar to HIV) that infects T-cells, a type of white blood cell in the immune system. Once infected, the virus remains in the body for life. There are two main types: HTLV-1 and HTLV-2.
📊 Europe Status: Rare
HTLV is very rare in Europe (UK, France, Germany, etc.). Most cases are imported or found in blood donors.
📊 Common Status:
Higher rates in:
🇯🇵 SW Japan (Kyushu, Okinawa)
🌴 Caribbean (Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad)
🌍 West/Central Africa (e.g. Nigeria, Congo)
🌎 South America (Brazil, Peru, Colombia)
🏈 How to catch it:
Primarily caught through:
🍆 Sexual contact
This is considered the main or most frequent route of transmission, especially from men to women.
👦 Mother-to-child:
Primarily through breastfeeding.
🩸 Blood contact:
Through sharing needles (e.g., among injection drug users), blood transfusions (though screening has reduced this risk in many countries), and organ transplants.
🤒 Symptoms:
Often asymptomatic:
Most people infected with HTLV do not develop any symptoms throughout their lives.
Associated Diseases (in a small percentage of people): While rare, HTLV can lead to serious health conditions, often decades after initial infection.
Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL):
An aggressive type of cancer affecting the blood and lymph nodes.
HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP):
A progressive neurological disorder affecting the spinal cord, causing weakness, stiffness in the legs, and issues with bladder/bowel control.
⚠️ Other inflammatory conditions:
Such as uveitis (eye inflammation), infective dermatitis (skin condition), and certain autoimmune disorders.
💊 Treatment
There is currently no cure for HTLV itself. Treatment focuses on managing the associated diseases if they develop.
For ATLL, treatment may involve chemotherapy and antiviral medications.
For HAM/TSP and other inflammatory conditions, treatment aims to manage symptoms and slow progression, often using corticosteroids.
⚠️ Untreated Effects
If associated conditions like ATLL or HAM/TSP develop and are left untreated, they can be severe, progressive, and potentially life-threatening.
📚 Information References:
Human T lymphotropic virus (HTLV) PAHO/WHO
Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) - WHO
HTLV-1: Infection, Transmission, Diagnosis & Prevention - Cleveland Clinic
HTLV infection in persons with sexually transmitted diseases in Spain - PMC
🦠 Intestinal Parasites
(Sexually Transmitted)
➡️ What they are?
Microscopic organisms that can live in the intestines. While many intestinal parasites are acquired through contaminated food or water, some can be transmitted sexually, particularly through sexual practices that involve oral-anal contact.
📊 Status: Common in many parts of the world
🏈 How it to catch them
Usually through the fecal/poo-oral route, meaning when microscopic amounts of feces/poo from an infected person are ingested by another person.
This can happen indirectly through contaminated hands, objects, or food, but also directly through:
🍑 Oral-anal sex (rimming):
This is a direct route for transmission.
☝️Fingering or other sexual contact:
If fingers or objects contaminated with feces/poo come into contact with the mouth.
🤒 Common Sexually Transmitted Intestinal Parasites & Symptoms:
🦠 Giardiasis
❓What is it?
Caused by the parasite Giardia lamblia.
👀 Symptoms:
Can be asymptomatic. If symptoms occur, they typically appear 1-3 weeks after exposure and can include:
Watery, foul-smelling diarrhoea, fatigue, stomach cramps, bloating, gas, nausea, and weight loss. Rectal pain (proctitis) can occur, especially in men who have sex with men.
💊 Treatment:
Treated with anti-parasitic medications (e.g., metronidazole, tinidazole).
🦠 Amebiasis
❓ What is it?
Caused by the parasite Entamoeba histolytica.
👀 Symptoms:
Often asymptomatic. If symptoms occur, they can range from:
Mild diarrhoea and abdominal cramping to severe dysentery (bloody diarrhoea), fever, and even extra-intestinal disease (spread to liver or other organs).
💊 Treatment
Treated with anti-parasitic medications (e.g., metronidazole followed by a luminal amebicide).
⚠️ Untreated Effects
Can lead to chronic digestive issues, malnutrition, and in rare severe cases (especially with amebiasis), can spread to other organs like the liver, causing abscesses. They can also increase the risk of other STIs by causing inflammation in the gut.
📚 Information References:
Sexually Transmitted Parasitic Diseases
Sexual Transmission of Intestinal Parasites and Other Enteric Pathogens among Men Who Have Sex with Men Presenting Gastrointestinal Symptoms in an STI Unit in Barcelona, Spain: A Cross-Sectional Study - PMC
Giardia infection (giardiasis) - Symptoms & causes
Sexually Transmitted Enteric Infections - Infectious Diseases
💎 Molluscum Contagiosum
➡️ What is it?
A common viral skin infection caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV), a type of poxvirus.
📊 Status: Common worldwide
🏈 How to catch it?
Spread through
👉 Direct skin-to-skin contact, including sexual contact in adults.
👉 Contact with contaminated objects (like towels or clothing)
👉 Scratching the bumps and then touching other areas of the body.
🤒 Symptoms:
😊 Painless, firm bumps:
Molluscum contagiosum causes small, raised bumps called Mollusca, which:
👉 Usually look white, pink or the same colour as your skin
⭕️ Feel firm, sometimes with a dip in the centre
🧍Appear anywhere on your body, but rarely on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet
✏️ Are about the size of a pinhead to a pencil eraser
🟥 Itching/Soreness:
While generally painless, the bumps can sometimes become itchy, sore, or red, especially if scratched.
⏰ Appearance time:
Bumps typically appear 2-8 weeks after infection, but can take up to 6 months.
💊 Treatment:
📅 Self-limiting:
In many healthy individuals, the bumps will resolve on their own without treatment within 6-18 months, though it can sometimes take longer (up to several years).
🥼 Medical removal:
For cosmetic reasons, to prevent spread, or for those with weakened immune systems, a healthcare provider can remove the bumps using various methods, including:
❄️ Cryotherapy:
Freezing the bumps with liquid nitrogen.
🔪 Curettage:
Scraping the bumps off.
🧴 Topical medications:
Applying prescribed creams or solutions.
⛔️ Important note: Treatments remove the visible bumps but don't eliminate the virus from the body, meaning new bumps can appear, or reinfection is possible.
⚠️ Untreated Effects:
😤 Persistent lesions:
If left untreated, the bumps can persist for a long time, potentially spreading to other areas of the body or to others through direct contact.
🦠 Secondary infection:
Scratching or picking at the bumps can lead to bacterial infections, which may require antibiotics.
🩹Scarring:
While molluscum usually resolves without scarring, some treatments or vigorous scratching can lead to tiny scars or changes in skin pigmentation.
👁️ Eye inflammation:
If lesions are near the eyelids, they can cause conjunctivitis (pink eye).
📚 Information References:
🐵 Monkeypox
(Mpox)
➡️ What is it?
A viral disease that can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, and other flu-like symptoms.
While not officially classified as an STI, mpox has been passed through sexual contact., especially among men who have sex with men.
📊 Status:
It’s more common in parts of Central and West Africa, but travel-related cases still pop up worldwide - including in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and the US
🏈 How to catch it?
👬 Close Skin-to-Skin Contact
Including during sex, cuddling, massage, or body-to-body dancing.
🧺 Shared Items
You can also catch it by sharing unwashed towels, bedding, or sex toys used by someone with mpox.
💋 Kissing, Oral, and Sex
Through oral, vaginal, and anal sex, especially when there’s direct contact with skin or sores.
😷 Face-to-Face Contact
Less commonly, mpox can spread through prolonged close face-to-face contact, like deep kissing or during heavy breathing, especially in enclosed spaces.
⚠️ Important Note:
You don’t need to have penetrative sex to catch mpox. Touching someone’s skin during an intimate moment (even non-sexual) can be enough.
💉 Mpox Vaccine
The Mpox vaccine is called JYNNEOS or Imvanex and helps protect against mpox
Learn more here
🤒 Symptoms
Flu-like symptoms (often the first sign):
🌡️ Fever
🤕 Headache
💪 Muscle aches
😖 Back pain
😴 Low energy/fatigue
💧 Swollen glands (lymph nodes)
💥 Rash
(comes 1–3 days after fever or sometimes with no fever at all):
🌋 Starts as spots or pimples
➡️ Can turn into blisters or sores
😣 Can be painful or itchy
📍 Where the rash can appear:
🧑 Face
👄 Mouth/throat
🖐️ Palms of hands
🦶 Soles of feet
🍑 Groin
🍆 Genital area
💊 Treatment
Most people with mpox get better on their own within 2–4 weeks.
There’s no specific cure, but you can manage symptoms and avoid spreading it:
🛌 Rest & Recover
😴Get plenty of rest
💧Drink fluids
🧼 Keep your body and sores clean
💊 Pain Relief & Soothing
🌡️ Use over-the-counter meds like: paracetamol or ibuprofen
🛁 Warm baths or saline rinses may help soothe painful sores
💆 Lidocaine gel or pain relief cream can ease discomfort if prescribed
🚫 Avoid Touching or Scratching Sores
Let sores heal naturally
🩹 Cover them with clean, dry bandages if needed
🧽 Wash hands often
🏥 When to Seek Medical Help
If you have severe pain, can’t eat/drink, or if sores are in the eyes, genitals, or rectum
Some people (like those with HIV, weakened immune systems, or pregnant people) may be offered antiviral medication (like tecovirimat / TPOXX) under medical guidanc
⚠️ Untreated Effects
While usually mild, severe cases can occur, especially in immunocompromised individuals, potentially leading to complications like bacterial skin infections, pneumonia, or eye infections.
📚 Information References:
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand
Mpox: Guidance
💋 Mononucleosis
(‘Mono’ or ‘Kissing Disease’)
➡️ What it is:
A common infectious disease, most often caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a type of herpes virus.
It's not considered an STI in the traditional sense, but its transmission through kissing makes it relevant for oral health awareness
📊 Status: Common worldwide, especially among teens and young adults
🏈 How to Catch it?
Primarily spread through saliva/spit. This is why it's often called "the kissing disease," but it can also be transmitted through sharing:
🥤 Drinks
🍔 Food
🍴 Utensils
🤒 Symptoms/Signs:
Can vary widely and include:
😴 Extreme fatigue
🌡️ Fever
🗣️ Sore throat (often bad)
🦵 Swollen lymph nodes (especially in the neck and armpits)
👅 Swollen tonsils
🤕 Headache
💪 Muscle aches
🟥 Sometimes a skin rash
💥 Less common/more severe:
🎈 Swollen spleen
💛 Swollen liver
🩸 Anemia
🗓️ Incubation period:
Symptoms usually develop 4 to 6 weeks after exposure.
⏳ Duration:
Fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or even months after other symptoms resolve.
💊 Treatment:
There is no specific antiviral treatment for mono. Management focuses on supportive care:
🛌 Rest/Sleep:
Plenty of rest is crucial for recovery.
💧 Fluids:
Drinking lots of fluids to stay hydrated.
💊 Pain relief:
Over-the-counter pain relievers (like ibuprofen or acetaminophen) for fever and sore throat.
👨⚕️ When to see your doctor:
If you've been experiencing the above symptoms, you may have mononucleosis.
If your symptoms don't get better on their own in a week or two, see your doctor.
🤼 Avoid contact sports:
If the spleen is enlarged, avoid vigorous activities or contact sports for several weeks to prevent rupture.
⚠️ Untreated Effects:
Mono usually resolves without long-term problems. However, complications, though rare, can include:
💥 Spleen rupture:
A serious and potentially life-threatening complication if the spleen is severely enlarged.
💛 Liver problems:
Mild hepatitis or jaundice.
🩸 Anemia or low platelet count.
🧠 Neurological complications:
Very rarely, meningitis, encephalitis, or Guillain-Barré syndrome.
😴 Chronic fatigue:
In some cases, prolonged fatigue can persist for months after the initial illness.
📚 Information References:
🔬Mycoplasma Genitalium
(Mgen)
➡️ What is it?
A bacterial STI caused by Mycoplasma genitalium that is often asymptomatic but can lead to inflammation and serious complications if left untreated. It's a "fastidious" bacterium, meaning it's difficult to grow in a lab.
📊 Status: Common worldwide
🏈 How to catch it:
Generally caught through:
👉 Unprotected/Condomless vaginal sex
👉 Unprotected/Condomless anal sex
It can be passed on even if an infected person has no symptoms.
Please note:
Researchers are still studying if it can spread through oral sex.
🤒 Symptoms:
🤫 Often asymptomatic:
Many people with Mgen have no symptoms.
👀 If symptoms occur, they can be similar to chlamydia or gonorrhoea:
👨 In men:
💧 Watery or clear discharge from the penis, 🔥 Burning or pain when peeing (dysuria),
😩 Itching or irritation inside the penis,
💥 Pain while ejaculating (dysorgasmia).
👩 In women
🌸 Abnormal vaginal discharge
🔥 Burning or pain when peeing
🩸 Bleeding between periods or after sex
🤰 Lower abdominal or pelvic pain
😩 Pain during sex.
🍑 Rectal infection:
Can cause pain, irritation, or discharge, often without symptoms.
💊 Treatment:
Mgen is treated with prescription antibiotics.
However, a significant concern is increasing antibiotic resistance, which can make Mgen challenging to treat, sometimes requiring multiple courses or different types of antibiotics (e.g., Doxycycline followed by Azithromycin or Moxifloxacin, depending on resistance patterns).
A test of cure is often recommended to ensure the infection has cleared.
⚠️ Untreated Effects:
If left untreated, Mgen can lead to serious health problems, including:
👨 In men:
💥 Urethritis (inflammation of the urethra)
⚕️ Epididymitis (painful inflammation of the tubes at the back of the testicles),
🫃 Potentially contribute to male infertility
🦠 Increases the risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV due to inflammation.
👩 In women:
🌸 Cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix)
🤰 Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) which can cause chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy.
It may also be associated with preterm labor and spontaneous abortion during pregnancy.
🦠 Increases the risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV due to inflammation.
📚Information References
Mycoplasma Genitalium (Mgen): Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
🦀 Pubic Lice
(Crabs)
➡️ What is it?
Tiny insects (about the size of a pinhead) that live in coarse body hair, usually around the genitals.
They look like tiny crabs, but can’t jump or fly, and live by sucking your blood.
📊Status: Common worldwide
🏈 How to catch them?
🧍♂️🤝🧍♂️ Close body-to-body contact especially during:
🍑 Vaginal sex
🍆 Anal sex
👄 Oral sex
🧺 Sharing items (less common, but possible):
👕 Clothes
🛏️ Bedding
🧻 Towels
🐶🚫 They don’t live on animals — only on humans
🤒 Symptoms
🤫 No Symptoms at First
Many people don’t notice right away, especially in the early stages.
😖 Itching (Main Symptom)
🕷️🔁 Intense itching
🌙 Especially at night when lice feed
💢 Caused by an allergic reaction to their bites
👀 Visible Signs
🔎 Tiny grey-brown lice crawling in pubic or coarse body hair
🟡 Tiny white/yellow eggs ("nits") stuck to hair near the skin
🩸🔴 Dark red or brown spots in underwear
💩 Lice poo
🔵 Blue Spots
🔵 Faint blue marks may appear where lice have fed repeatedly
👁️ Eye Irritation (if in eyelashes)
👁️ Sticky or crusty lashes
🔥 Red or irritated eyes
💊 Treatment
🧴 Use special creams, lotions, or shampoos from the pharmacy — no prescription usually needed.
🧍♂️➡️ Apply to all hairy areas from the neck down (but 🚫 not the eyes unless your doctor says so).
⏱️ Follow the instructions carefully:
Leave the treatment on for the right amount of time
🐣 Often a second treatment is needed 7–10 days later to kill baby lice that hatch
✂️ No need to shave - treatments work without removing hair.
🧼 Don’t forget to:
🧺 Wash clothes, bedding, and towels in hot water
📣 Tell recent sexual or close body contacts so they can check or treat too
⚠️ Untreated Effects:
While pubic lice don't usually cause serious harm, intense scratching can lead to skin sores and secondary bacterial infections. They can also cause significant discomfort and embarrassment.
📚 Information References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Pubic lice (crabs) - Symptoms & cause
STI Guidelines Aotearoa New Zealand
👩 Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
(PID)
➡️ What is it?
An infection and inflammation of a woman's reproductive organs, including the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. It is most often caused by bacteria spreading from the vagina or cervix to the upper reproductive tract.
📊 Status: Common in women/trans men with untreated STIs/STDs.
🏈 How to Catch it?
PID isn’t caught directly from a partner, but it can develop when untreated STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhoea, or Mycoplasma genitalium spread into the reproductive organs.
It can also be caused less commonly by other bacteria or procedures like IUD insertion.
🤒 Symptoms:
🤫 Often mild or absent:
Many women with PID have no noticeable symptoms, or mistake them for other conditions.
If symptoms occur, they can include:
😩 Pain in your lower abdomen or pelvis (ranging from mild to severe, often bilateral).
🌸 Unusual or heavy vaginal discharge (may have an unpleasant odour, or be yellow/green).
🩸 Unusual vaginal bleeding (especially during or after sex, or between periods).
💔 Pain during sex (dyspareunia).
🔥 Burning or pain when peeing.
🌡️ Fever, sometimes with chills.
🤢 Nausea and vomiting.
💊 Treatment:
PID is treated with antibiotics, usually a combination, prescribed by a healthcare provider. It's crucial to complete the entire course of medication, even if symptoms improve, to ensure the infection is cleared and reduce the risk of complications.
Sexual partners should also be tested and treated for any STIs to prevent re-infection.
⚠️ Untreated Effects:
Prompt treatment is essential because untreated or recurrent PID can lead to serious and irreversible long-term complications, including:
💔 Chronic Pelvic Pain:
Persistent pain in the lower abdomen that can last for months or years.
🤰 Ectopic Pregnancy:
A life-threatening condition where a fertilised egg implants outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube, due to scarring.
👶 Infertility:
Damage to the fallopian tubes can make it difficult or impossible to become pregnant.
💥 Tubo-Ovarian Abscess:
A collection of pus in the fallopian tube and/or ovary, which may require surgery.
🩹 Formation of scar tissue:
Both outside and inside the fallopian tubes that can lead to tubal blockages
📚 Information References:
About Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
🕷️ Scabies
➡️ What is it?
A highly itchy skin condition caused by tiny mites called Sarcoptes scabiei that burrow into the top layer of the skin to live and lay their eggs.
📊 Status: Common worldwide, especially in crowded living conditions
🏈 How to Catch it?:
Primarily spread through direct, prolonged skin-to-skin contact, often during sexual activity.
It can also be spread through close personal contact (e.g., living in the same household) or, less commonly, by sharing infested clothing, bedding, or towels.
Brief contact, like a handshake, is unlikely to spread scabies.
🤒 Symptoms:
😠 Intense itching:
This is the most common and prominent symptom, often worse at night.
🔴 Rash:
Tiny red bumps, often resembling pimples or blisters.
〰️ Burrow tracks:
In some cases, thin, wavy, raised lines on the skin (burrow tracks) may be visible, though these can be hard to spot.
📍 Common areas affected:
Mites prefer warmer areas of the body, often appearing in skin folds, between fingers and toes, wrists, elbows, armpits, waistline, buttocks, and the genital area (penis, scrotum, vulva).
In infants and young children, it can appear on the scalp, face, neck, palms, and soles.
⏳ Delayed symptoms:
Symptoms can take 2-6 weeks to appear after initial infection, especially if it's a first-time infection.
If you've had scabies before, symptoms may appear within a few days.
💊 Treatment:
Scabies is treatable with prescription medications called scabicides, which kill the mites and their eggs.
These are usually applied as a cream or lotion to the entire body from the neck down and left on for a specific period before washing off.
Oral medication may be prescribed for severe cases or those who can't use topical treatments.
🔁 Everyone must be treated at the same time - that includes the infected person and all close contacts like sexual partners or household members, to prevent re-infestation.
🛏️👕 Wash all clothing, bedding, and towels used in the last 72 hours. Use hot water and a hot dryer, or seal them in a plastic bag for several days, or have them dry-cleaned.
⛔️ What not to do:
❌ Do not use insecticide sprays and fumigants to treat scabies or crusted scabies.
❌ Do not use over-the-counter (non-prescription) products to treat scabies. These products have not been tested and approved to treat scabies.
❌ Do not have sex or close physical contact until you have completed the full course of treatment
❌ Do not share bedding, clothing or towels with someone with scabies
⚠️ Untreated Effects:
If left untreated:
😠 Persistent itching and discomfort:
The itching can become unbearable and significantly affect quality of life and sleep.
🦠 Secondary bacterial infection:
Constant scratching can break the skin, leading to bacterial infections (like impetigo), which may require antibiotic treatment.
🩹 Crusted (Norwegian) Scabies:
A severe and rare form of scabies that occurs in people with weakened immune systems, where thousands to millions of mites are present, leading to widespread, thick crusts on the skin. This form is highly contagious.
📚 Information Reference:
🌀 Syphilis
➡️ What is it?
A highly itchy skin condition caused by tiny mites called Sarcoptes scabiei that burrow into the top layer of the skin to live and lay their eggs.
📊 Status: Common worldwide, especially in crowded living conditions
🏈 How to Catch it?:
Primarily spread through direct, prolonged skin-to-skin contact, often during sexual activity.
It can also be spread through close personal contact (e.g., living in the same household) or, less commonly, by sharing infested clothing, bedding, or towels.
Brief contact, like a handshake, is unlikely to spread scabies.
💊 Prevention Medication
DoxyPEP is an antibiotic taken within 72 hours after sex to help prevent some STIs like chlamydia and syphilis, especially for those at higher risk.
🤒 Symptoms:
🌀 Syphilis: Stages & Symptoms
1️⃣ Primary Syphilis (3–90 days after contact)
💥 Painless sore (chancre)
Firm, round, usually on the:
🍆🍑 Genitals
🍑 Anus
💋 Lips
👄 Mouth
💢 Swollen glands nearby
⏳ Heals in 3–6 weeks - but you're still infected and contagious
2️⃣ Secondary Syphilis (1–6 months after sore appears)
🖐️🦶 Skin rash — often on palms and soles, not itchy
💦 Wart-like sores in moist areas (groin, underarms)
👄 White patches in the mouth
🤒 Flu-like symptoms:
😴 Fatigue, 🌡️ Fever, 🗣️ Sore throat, 🤯 Headache, 💪 Muscle aches
⚖️📉 Weight loss, 🧑🦲 Patchy hair loss
🕒 Symptoms may clear on their own, but the infection stays - you're still contagious
3️⃣ Latent Syphilis (“Hidden” stage - no symptoms)
🛌 No visible signs, but syphilis is still in your body
🕐 Early latent (<12 months) - still sexually contagious
🕰️ Late latent (>12 months) - usually not sexually contagious,
but
👶 Can pass to a baby during pregnancy
4️⃣ Tertiary Syphilis (Years later, if untreated)
⚠️ Can damage major organs:
🧠 Brain, 🫀 Heart, 👁️ Eyes, 🦴 Bones, 🫁 Lungs
❗ Serious complications include:
💥 Stroke, 😵 Dementia, 🦽 Paralysis
🚫 Blindness, 🔇 Deafness, ❤️ Heart disease
🧟 Large sores on the skin (gummas)
💀 In rare cases, it can cause death
🧠 Neurosyphilis / Ocular Syphilis (can happen at any stage)
🧠 Affects the brain or nervous system
👁️ Can affect the eyes
Symptoms may include:
🤕 Headaches, 👁️ Vision changes, 👂 Hearing loss, 🧠 Personality or memory changes
💊 Treatment:
Syphilis is curable with antibiotics, most commonly penicillin injections.
👉 Early syphilis (primary, secondary, early latent) usually requires one injection.
👉 Later stages or neurosyphilis/ocular syphilis require multiple doses over several weeks.
👉 It’s crucial to complete the full course of treatment to be fully cured.
👉 Avoid sexual activity until all sores have healed and your doctor says it’s safe.
👉 Follow-up blood tests are often needed to make sure the treatment worked.
⚠️ Untreated Effects:
👉 Untreated syphilis can lead to serious, irreversible organ damage, including:
🧠 Neurological problems
👁️ Blindness,
👂 Deafness
❤️ Heart disease
💀 In some cases, it can be fatal
👉 During pregnancy, untreated syphilis can cause:
👶 Miscarriage or stillbirth
🍼 Premature birth
🚼 Congenital syphilis in the baby, which can lead to lifelong disabilities or death
📚 Information Reference:
World Health Organization (WHO)
Syphilis - STI Treatment Guidelines
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Syphilis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments. Yale Medicine.
Syphilis: Cause, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
United Kingdom Specific Resources:
Syphilis: Surveillance, Data and Management
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
New Zealand Specific Resources:
Syphilis (Limited chapter) – Communicable Disease Control Manual
Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand
New Zealand Sexual Health Society (NZSHS)
STI Guidelines Aotearoa New Zealand - Syphilis Management
Australian Specific Resources:
🟡 Trichomoniasis
(Trich)
➡️ What is it?
Trichomoniasis is a common STI caused by a tiny parasite that can infect the vagina, bladder, or urethra (the tube you pee through).
📊 Status: Common worldwide
🏈 How to Catch it?:
🍆➡️🌸 Penis-to-vagina sex
🌸🔁🌸 Vagina-to-vagina contact
🍑 Less commonly through oral or anal sex
🦠 The parasite doesn’t survive long outside the body, so it’s rarely spread by toilets, towels, or surfaces
🤒 Symptoms:
Many people with Trichomoniasis, both men and women, have no symptoms at all (asymptomatic).
If symptoms do occur, they can be mild or severe and may appear anywhere from 5 to 28 days after infection, or much later.
👩 For people with vaginas
(More likely to have symptoms):
🫧 Vaginal discharge – frothy, yellow-green or grey, with a strong “fishy” smell
🔥 Itching, burning, or soreness around the genitals
🔴 Redness or swelling of the vulva
🚽 Pain when peeing
🍑 Pain or discomfort during sex
😖 Lower abdominal pain (less common)
👨 For people with penises
(Often no symptoms):
😖 Itching or irritation inside the penis
💧 Discharge from the penis
🔥 Burning after peeing or ejaculating
💊 Treatment:
Usually cured with a single dose of antibiotics (like metronidazole or tinidazole). NHS says
👥 All sexual partners should be treated at the same time, even if they have no symptoms
🚫 Avoid sex until everyone is treated and symptoms are gone
⚠️ Untreated Effects
📈 Higher STI risk
Can make it easier to get or pass on HIV due to genital inflammation
🤰 Pregnancy issues
May lead to early birth or low birth weight
😖 Ongoing discomfort
Itching, discharge, and irritation can affect quality of life
📚 Information Reference:
General & Global Information:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
World Health Organization (WHO)
Trichomoniasis. National Library of Medicine.
Trichomoniasis - Symptoms and causes
United Kingdom Specific Resources:
Sexual Health South West London
New Zealand Specific Resources:
STI Guidelines Aotearoa New Zealand - Trichomoniasis
New Zealand Sexual Health Society (NZSHS)
Communicable Disease Control Manual - Trichomoniasis.
Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand
Australian Specific Resources:
🫧 Vaginal & Genital Imbalances
(BV, Yeast, etc.)
➡️ What is it?
Common infections or imbalances that affect the vagina in women and can affect the genital area in men.
These are not always STIs in the traditional sense, but can be influenced by sexual activity and transmitted between partners.
📊 Status: Very common worldwide, especially among people with vulvas — not always sexually transmitted but often linked to sexual activity and hygiene factors.
🫧 Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
➡️ What is it?
An imbalance of the natural bacteria in the vagina, where certain bacteria overgrow. It is common and not strictly an STI, but it is often associated with sexual activity, particularly with new or multiple partners.
🏈 How to Catch it?
Primarily linked to sexual activity in women. Men can carry the bacteria in their urethra and potentially re-infect female partners, though they don't get "BV" themselves.
👩 Symptoms (in women/trans men)
🐟 Strong, "fishy" smelling vaginal odour (especially after sex),
💧 Thin white or grey vaginal discharge
🔥 itching or burning during urination.
👨 Symptoms (in men)
🤫 Men usually have no symptoms but can be carriers.
Occasionally, it might contribute to urethritis (inflammation of the urethra).
💊 Treatment:
Treated with prescription antibiotics (oral or vaginal gel/cream). Recurrence is common.
⚠️ Untreated Effects (in women):
Increases risk of acquiring other STIs (including HIV), developing PID, and complications during pregnancy (e.g., premature birth).
⚠️ Untreated Effects (in men):
No direct complications for men, but can contribute to partner's recurrent BV and potentially urethritis.
🟠 Yeast Infection (Candidiasis)
➡️ What it is:
An infection caused by an overgrowth of Candida fungus, which naturally lives in the body.
It is not generally considered an STI but can be transmitted sexually and often triggered by sexual activity.
🏈 How to Catch it?
Can be caught sexually. Men can get yeast infections on the penis from sexual contact with an infected partner.
👩 Symptoms (in women/trans men):
😠 Intense vaginal itching and soreness
🔴 Redness and swelling of the vulva
☁️ Thick, white, "cottage cheese-like" vaginal discharge
🔥 Burning during urination or sex.
💥 Pain or discomfort during sex
👨 Symptoms (in men):
🔴 Redness, soreness, or swelling of the penis
✨ White, shiny patches at the top of the penis
🔺 Small red spots at the top of the penis
🌯 Cracked foreskin
🧁 Thick, white discharge under the foreskin or other folds of skin
🔒 Difficulty pulling back the foreskin
🐜 Itchiness
🔥 Burning sensation during urination
💥 Pain or discomfort during sex.
💊 Treatment
Treated with over-the-counter or prescription anti-fungal creams, ointments, or oral medications.
There are things you can do to ease thrush and stop it coming back:
❌ Do not use soaps or shower gels
❌ Do not use douches or deodorants on your vagina or penis
❌ Do not wear tight underwear or tights
✅ Use water and an emollient (like E45 cream) instead of soap to wash the affected area
✅ Dry properly after washing
✅ Wear cotton underwear
✅ Avoid sex until thrush has cleared up if sex is uncomfortable
⚠️ Untreated Effects:
Persistent discomfort and potential for secondary bacterial infections from scratching.
Not usually serious, but can be bothersome and recurrent.
📚 Information References:
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV): Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment
Vaginal yeast infection (thrush)
Male Yeast Infection: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
🦟 Zika Virus
➡️ What is it?
A virus primarily transmitted by mosquitoes, but it can also be transmitted sexually. Infection can cause mild symptoms, but it poses significant risks during pregnancy.
📊 Status: Rare globally, but still found in parts of Central/South America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands.
🏈 How to Catch it?
🦟 Mosquito Bites:
The usual way Zika is caught is through the bite of infected Aedes species mosquitoes (e.g., Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus).
🍆 Vaginal, Anal, & Oral Sex:
Zika can be passed through sex, even if the person has no symptoms.
It can spread from men to their partners through semen, and from women through vaginal fluids - though it’s more common from men to women. Zika can be transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
🤰 Mother to Child:
A pregnant woman infected with Zika can pass the virus to her fetus, which can lead to severe birth defects.
🩸 Blood Transfusion:
Less commonly, through blood transfusions.
🤒 Symptoms
🤫 Often asymptomatic:
Many people infected with Zika do not develop symptoms.
If symptoms occur, they are usually mild and last several days to a week:
🌡️ Fever
🔴 Rash
💪 Joint pain
😠 Red eyes (conjunctivitis)
💪 Muscle pain
🤕 Headache
💊 Treatment
There is no specific medicine to treat Zika virus itself.
Treatment focuses on supportive care:
🛌 Rest
💧 Drinking fluids to prevent dehydration
💊 Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen for fever and pain.
⏰ Timeframes for preventing sexual transmission
Timeframes start as soon as the person returns from travel, even if they do not have symptoms, or from the start of their symptoms or the date they were diagnosed.
👨 Males should use condoms or not have sex for at least 3 months.
👩 Females should use condoms or not have sex for at least 2 months.
⚠️ Untreated Effects/Complications:
While adult symptoms are usually mild, Zika can cause serious complications:
👶 Congenital Zika Syndrome:
If a pregnant person gets Zika, it can cause serious birth defects in the baby.
This includes microcephaly (a smaller head and brain), brain and eye problems, hearing loss, and slow growth.
🧠 Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS):
A rare but serious neurological disorder where the immune system attacks the nerves, potentially leading to muscle weakness and paralysis.
📚Information Reference:
STD/STI
(Infections passed between individuals through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex).
Whether you're a sex worker or a client, it's important to know how STIs ( and STDs spread, what signs to look for, and how to protect yourself and others. This section covers:
Getting Help: For Sex Workers and Clients
If you’re a sex worker or client, getting checked and staying informed is one of the best ways to protect your health and the people you connect with.
You can get help online or in person, and most services are private, supportive, and free or low-cost.
👉 Click here for more information
Protect Yourself Before It Happens
Smart choices for male sex workers and clients.
Vaccines can help prevent some infections, and taking PrEP daily can lower the risk of HIV. If you're worried about possible exposure, PEP can help if taken within 72 hours.
Making the right choices, like using condoms or dental dams and getting regular tests, keeps you safe and healthy.
Click here to learn more
MSWI is informational only and does not encourage sex work.
MSWI is informational only and does not endorse sex work.
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