Bacterial STIs

Syphilis

• Passed during vaginal, oral, and anal sex with an infected partner.
• Left untreated it damages the brain, heart, nervous system, and can lead to death.
• A blood test is used to diagnose and syphilis can be cured with antibiotics.
• Symptoms:
  • A painless sore in the genital or anus area or in your mouth
  • Fever
  • Rash
  • Swollen glands 

Congenital Syphilis

• Occurs when the infection is passed from a pregnant person to the developing fetus during pregnancy or at delivery. It can cause very serious health issues including stillbirth, death after birth or severe long term health conditions.
• You can be treated during pregnancy or after birth. In most situations early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the risk of severe outcomes.
• If you are pregnant see a health care provider as soon as you can.

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Data showing syphilis infection rate since Jan 1 2022

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea

• Most common STI in Yukon.
• Passed during vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected partner.
• Left untreated these can damage the reproductive organs.
• A urine test is used to diagnose, and if caught early, it’s cured with antibiotics.

Viral STIs

Hepatitis B

• Passed during vaginal, oral, or anal sex with an infected partner.
• Can be transmitted when using infected needles.
• If left untreated it damages the liver.
• A blood test is used to diagnose and it’s treated with antiviral medication.
• Can be prevented by vaccinations.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

• Very common and has several strains.
• Passed during vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected partner.
• Depending on the strain it can cause certain cancers or genital warts.
• A visual exam or cervical swab are used to diagnose.
• The type of HPV will determine the kind of treatment.
• Some strains of HPV can be prevented by vaccinations.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV)

• Very common and classified as an STI, but is easily passed through casual skin to skin contact (e.g., a kiss on the cheek) or during vaginal, anal, and oral sex with an infected partner.
• Symptoms include an outbreak of sores on the genitals or mouth.
• The emotional impact of herpes is often much worse than the condition and it doesn’t deserve the upset it causes.
• Antiviral medications help reduce the severity of outbreaks.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

• Passed during anal, vaginal, and oral sex with an infected partner.
• It can also be passed through childbirth, breastfeeding, or by sharing infected needles.
• HIV weakens the body’s immune system.
• A blood test is done to diagnose and it can be treated with antiviral medication.
• If untreated, HIV leads to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
• AIDS occurs when the immune system is so badly damaged that it becomes vulnerable to common infections like the flu. AIDS eventually leads to death.

Parasitic STIs

Pubic Lice

• Passed through genital contact with an infected partner or by sharing infected linens and bedding (although this is rare).
• Symptoms include very itchy genitals.
• Cured with medicated shampoo.

Trichomoniasis

• Caused by a protozoal infection in the vagina or urethra.
• Is passed through penis-to-vagina or vulva-to-vulva sex.
• A vaginal swab or urine test are used to diagnose.
• Can be cured with antibiotics.