Sexually Transmitted Infections

Anyone who is sexually active can po- If you experience any symptoms of a Gay Men’s Health tentially catch a sexually transmitted in- possible infection, it is wise to seek med- fection (STI). STIs are usually transmit- ical help and treatment immediately. Fact Sheet Series ted during unprotected sex (including oral sex) with an infected partner, but Whether HIV-positive or HIV-negative, can be transmitted in other ways as well. practising safer sex can reduce the risk Some STIs can be transmitted without and help maintain a healthy sex life. 1. Gay Men and Health showing any symptoms. It is strongly recommended that you get tested regu- For more information about safer sex larly for STIs if you are sexually active. and harm reduction refer to the fact 2. “Coming Out” It is important to have a doctor or nurse sheet on Sexual Health and Safer Sex and to go to for testing. Gay Men, Drugs and Alcohol. To help 3. Sexual Health and with risk assessment, refer to the follow- ing overview of common STIs. Safer Sex 4. Sexually Transmitted Infections 5. Relationships 6. Mental and Emotional Health 7. Gay Men, Drugs and Alcohol 8. Aging Well, Ageism and Gay Men Name How is it transmitted? What does it look like? Is it curable or treatable? Virus Herpes Skin to skin contact, or contact Tingling and redness or swelling NO - There is no cure for her- with contaminated body fluids at site of infection. Small clusters pes infections. Infection is for (semen). of blisters burst open revealing life. Treatments can reduce se- sensitive sores. Sores scab over verity and duration of herpes and eventually skin heals. outbreaks. Hepatitis A Direct or indirect oral-fecal con- Jaundice (yellowing of skin and NO - There is no treatment tact, including through fisting eyes), dark urine, pale stools, for Hepatitis A. A vaccine or use of sex toys. nausea, fatigue, fever, vomiting, preventing infection is avail- abdominal pain. able and recommended for sexually active gay men. Hepatitis B Exchange of bodily fluids con- Jaundice (yellowing of skin and NO - Not curable but there taining virus (blood, semen) eyes), dark urine, pale stools, is drug therapy treatment for through unprotected penetra- nausea, fatigue, fever, vomiting, Hepatitis B. Life-long infec- tion, fisting, or shared needles, abdominal pain. tious state occurs in 10% of razors, toothbrushes or sex toys. cases. Can lead to scarring of the liver or liver cancer. A vac- cine preventing infection is available and recommended for sexually active gay men. Hepatitis C Exchange of blood containing Jaundice (yellowing of skin and NO - Not curable but there is virus through unprotected pen- eyes), dark urine, pale stools, drug therapy with Interferon etration, fisting or shared nee- nausea, fatigue, fever, vomiting, and Ribavirin but there is no dles, razors or sex toys. abdominal pain. vaccine for Hepatitis C. HIV - Human Immuno- Exchange of bodily fluids con- Primary infection - In most cas- NO - There is no cure for deficiency Virus taining virus (blood, semen) es, symptoms are similar to hav- HIV infection. Infection is for through unprotected penetra- ing a bad cold: fever, headache, life. HIV weakens immune tion or shared needles, includ- fatigue, sore throat, aches and system, leading to develop- ing fisting and sex toys. pain. However, some 30% of ment of certain diseases called people infected show no symp- opportunistic infections and toms. ultimately to death. There are medications that can slow This is followed by an asympto- progression of HIV disease in matic phase, with no noticeable some people. symptoms. A symptomatic phase follows, with irregular symp- toms such as in primary infec- tion, with the additions of night sweats, weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and fungal in- fections. With symptoms related to specific opportunistic infec- tions, this eventually progresses to an AIDS diagnosis. The HIV virus is transmittable during all of these stages. Name How is it transmitted? What does it look like? Is it curable or treatable? HPV - Human Papilloma Direct contact with infected Warts on genitals, on or around NO - There is no cure for Virus wart, lesion or infected secre- anus, in rectum or in mouth. HPV infection. Infection is tions, including through fisting. They can appear flat, round or for life. Treatment burns warts sprout-like, and can appear as using electrical charge, freez- red, pink or skin coloured. ing, acid or topical lotion to reduce amount of virus and Warts in rectum are detected risk of transmission. HPV can through digital or visual rectal increase the risk of penile or examination, or by the presence anal cancer. of blood in stool. Bacteria Chlamydia Exchange of bodily fluids con- 40-70% of people infected show YES - Treatable with antibiot- taining bacteria through anus, no symptoms. Burning sensa- ics. Left untreated, can cause mouth and genitals through tion while urinating. Yellow or long term complications such unprotected oral or anal sex, in- greenish discharge from penis as sterility(cannot produce cluding fisting and sharing sex often accompanied by pain. children), proctitis (inflamma- toys. Swollen or tender testicles. tion of rectal lining), or colitis (inflammation of the lining of the large bowel). LGV - Lymphogranulo- Exchange of bodily fluids con- A painless sore may appear on the YES - Treatable with antibiot- ma Venereum (a subtype taining bacteria through anus, penis, or in the anus or mouth. ics. Left untreated, can cause of Chlamydia) mouth and genitals through Swollen glands, painful inflam- serious long term complica- unprotected oral or anal sex in- mation of the infected area and tions such as hepatitis(liver cluding fisting and sharing sex yellow or greenish discharge. disease) and encephalitis(infla toys. mmation of the brain). Gonorrhea Exchange of bodily fluids con- Half of people infected show YES - Treatable with antibiot- taining bacteria through anus, no symptoms. Burning sensa- ics. Left untreated, can cause mouth and genitals through tion while urinating. Yellow or long term complications. unprotected oral or anal sex in- greenish discharge from penis cluding fisting and sharing sex often accompanied by pain. Rec- toys. tal discharge and/or itching, and possible painful bowel move- ments with blood in the stool. Throat infections can cause pain in swallowing, discharge or local pain. Syphilis Exchange of bodily fluids con- Stage 1 - Painless ulcers or sores YES - Treatable with antibiot- taining bacteria through anus, (chancres) on genitals, in anus ics. Left untreated, can cause mouth and genitals through or mouth (lips, tongue, tonsils) serious long term complica- unprotected oral or anal sex in- which disappear without treat- tions such as brain or heart cluding fisting and sharing sex ment. disorders. toys. Stage 2 - Skin blotches, fever, fa- tigue, headaches, aches and pain appear and disappear without treatment. Stage 3 - Possible serious irre- versible damage to bones, heart, brain and eyes. Name How is it transmitted? What does it look like? Is it curable or treatable? Parasites Amoebas Direct or indirect oral-fecal con- Range from no symptoms to YES - Can be treated with tact including fisting and shar- watery, smelly or bloody di- medications such as antibiot- ing sex toys. arrhea, gas, cramps, stomach ics and antifungals pain. Sometimes fever, nausea, vomiting or headaches occur. Crabs (Body lice) Close physical contact, or shar- Itching in areas when there YES - Two treatments of in- ing bedding, clothing or towels is body hair (groin, buttocks, fested areas with medicated with someone who has them. thighs, lower abdomen, chest, lotions, creams and shampoos Can survive away from the body armpits, beard, eyebrows and followed by removal of eggs for 24 hours. lashes). Small grey or reddish- usually destroys crabs and sca- brown crab-like insects seen bies. Contaminated clothing, upon close inspection. Closer towels, and bedding should inspection may find waxy white be washed in hot water and eggs attached to base of body inspected for eggs and nits be- hairs. fore reuse. Scabies Close physical contact, or shar- Intense itchiness in armpits, YES - Two treatments of in- ing bedding, clothing or towels groin, buttocks, and can be es- fested areas with medicated with someone who has them. pecially itchy at night. Pimples lotions, creams and shampoos Infection can spread rapidly and bumps may appear in these followed by removal of eggs through prolonged contact in areas. Extremely small insect usually destroys crabs and sca- closed environments (such as burrows beneath surface of skin. bies. Contaminated clothing, bathhouses). Burrowing trails can be seen towels, and bedding should between fingers, on wrists and be washed in hot water and ankles. inspected for eggs and nits be- fore reuse.

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