Bacterial STIs
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.
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.
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.