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Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

NOTE: THE SHRC DOES NOT DO STI TESTING. PLEASE SEE OUR RESOURCE SECTION FOR PLACES THAT PROVIDE THIS SERVICE.

 

This page provides an overview on sexually transmitted infections. This is by no means comprehensive.

 

We want everyone who wants to have sex to have consensual, enjoyable, pleasurable, and safer sex. With safer sex, it’s important to know that all sexual activity has a risk for transmitting STIs - it’s a matter of identifying how you sit with that risk and taking prevention measures seriously (i.e., using barrier methods like condoms, regularly STI testing, communicating boundaries with partner(s), etc.). That being said, it’s important to remember that STIs are treatable/manageable when detected early and do not spell the end of one’s sex life.  

 

There are four types of STIs: viral, bacterial, parasitic, and infestations. We review the most common ones of each type below:

Viral Infections

HIV/AIDS

  • Symptoms: Early on, flu-like symptoms like fever and sore throat; later on, swollen lymph glands and night sweats; as it progresses, suppressed immune function; when it becomes AIDS, immune system no longer protects the body

  • Transmission: Unprotected vaginal/penile/anal/oral sex, shared sex toys, shared needles

  • Diagnosis: Specific blood test done 3 months after possible infection

  • Prevention: Regular STI testing, using condoms and other barrier methods, clean toys, clean needles, PrEP and PEP

  • Treatment: Antiviral medication available to manage HIV (and prevent AIDS) and maintain undetectable viral load (to engage in safer sex without transmission to others); No cure for HIV or AIDS

 

Herpes (simplex 1 and 2)

  • Symptoms: Painful, itchy, fluid-filled sores inside/outside mouth or genitals

  • Transmission: Direct sexual contact with sores, possible to pass on when there are no sores

  • Diagnosis: Physical examination of visible sores and confirmation via a swab/culture; Blood test options when sores not visible

  • Prevention: Regular STI testing, using condoms and other barrier methods

  • Treatment: Antiviral medications to help reduce symptoms, but no cure 

 

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

  • Symptoms: Warts on external genital area or internally; Not all strains cause warts and only some strains cause cervical cancer

  • Transmission: Direct sexual contact with warts or infected area, shared sex toys

  • Diagnosis: On sight for external genital warts; Swab of cervix

  • Prevention: Regular STI testing, using condoms and other barrier methods, clean toys, HPV vaccine (all genders), Pap tests for people with cervixes

  • Treatment: Burning, freezing, laser therapy for warts; No cure

 

Hepatitis A 

  • Symptoms: Flu-like symptoms, pain where liver is located, dark orange urine

  • Transmission: Unprotected vaginal/penile/anal/oral sex

  • Diagnosis: Blood test

  • Prevention: Regular STI testing, using condoms and other barrier methods

  • Treatment: No treatment or cure - monitor for symptoms going away on their own; monitor and treat liver conditions if they arise (fatal conditions are rare); Once symptoms are gone, no longer infectious to others

 

Hepatitis B

  • Symptoms: Flu-like symptoms, pain where liver is located, dark orange urine

  • Transmission: Unprotected vaginal/penile/anal/oral sex, shared needles

  • Diagnosis: Blood test

  • Prevention: Regular STI testing, using condoms and other barrier methods, clean needles, Hepatitis B vaccine

  • Treatment: No treatment or cure - monitor for symptoms going away on their own; monitor and treat if liver conditions arise (fatal conditions are rare); Can infect others even after symptoms are gone

 

Hepatitis C

  • Symptoms: Often asymptomatic or flu-like symptoms and jaundice within 6 months; Some feel ill 10-30 years after

  • Transmission: Shared needles (only spreads by blood/instruments that contain blood)

  • Diagnosis: Blood test

  • Prevention: Regular STI testing, using condoms and other barrier methods

  • Treatment: No cure; Some clear it without treatment and medications available to suppress virus (DAAs); Monitor and treat if liver conditions arise (fatal conditions are rare); Can infect others even after symptoms are gone but very rare

Bacterial Infections

Chlamydia

  • Symptoms: Most people are asymptomatic; Female-bodied folks may experience  unusual discharge, odour, itching of vagina, discomfort (burning, pain) during sex or urination, abdomen pain, heavier menstrual periods; Male-bodied folks make experience unusual discharge, itching, or burning around opening of penis, pain during urination, inflammation or pain of testicles

  • Transmission: Unprotected vaginal/penile/anal/oral sex; shared toys

  • Diagnosis: Urine test for all asymptomatic or symptomatic people; Vaginal swab available as well

  • Prevention: Regular STI testing, condoms and other barrier methods, clean toys

  • Treatment: Antibiotics; Monitor to clear of PID and other chronic conditions for people with vaginas

  • Note: Often travels with gonorrhea

 

Gonorrhea

  • Symptoms: For vaginal/cervical infection, increased vaginal discharge, vaginal irritation, burning on urination; For oral infection, often no symptoms or sore throat; For rectal infection, often no symptoms or rectal discomfort or discharge of pus and/or blood; Generalized infection when left untreated and symptoms like rash or joint pains

  • Transmission: Unprotected vaginal/penile/anal/oral sex; shared toys

  • Diagnosis: Urine test; Swab for throat or rectum

  • Prevention: Regular STI testing, condoms and other barrier methods, clean toys

  • Treatment: Antibiotics; Monitor to clear of PID and other chronic conditions for people with vaginas

  • Note: Often travels with chlamydia

 

Syphilis

  • Symptoms: Most people have no symptoms; symptomatic people experience 4 stages with a ulcer on genital area, anus, or throat first, rash and flu-like symptoms second, no symptoms (not infectious) third, and finally serious, deadly complications 10-30 years later (only if not detected or treated in the previous 3 stages)

  • Transmission: Direct sexual contact with sores or rashes/infected area 

  • Diagnosis: Blood test

  • Prevention: Regular STI testing, condoms and other barrier methods

  • Treatment: Antibiotics

Trichomoniasis: A Common Parasitic Infection

  • Symptoms: No to few symptoms, change in discharge for female-bodied folks

  • Transmission: Direct sexual contact with vaginal or urethral fluids, shared sex toys

  • Diagnosis: Vaginal exam and discharge analysis for female-bodied folks and microscopic analysis for male-bodied folks

  • Prevention: Regular STI testing, condoms and other barrier methods, clean toys

  • Treatment: Antibiotics

Crabs and Scabies: Two Common Infestations

  • Crabs = pubic hair lice; live and lay eggs at base of the hair; feed on human blood

  • Scabies = mites that push under the skin to lay eggs; found around genitals but also on the butt, between fingers, on wrists, and under arms

  • Transmission: Spread through direct sexual contact or sharing infested bed linens, clothing, towels, etc.

  • Symptoms: Tend to be no symptoms for the first few weeks; for crabs, itching and visible lice/eggs; for scabies, itching and rash

  • Diagnosis: On sight for crabs; need a healthcare provider opinion for scabies

  • Prevention: Regular STI testing, condoms and other barrier methods

  • Treatment: No long-term complications if untreated but best to treat using over-the-counter cream/lotion; Washing clothing/linen in hot water/drying in hot cycles, freezing them, or storing in sealed plastic bags for a week will kill them

Common *non-STI* Conditions (symptoms that may be mistaken for STIs)

* Please note: These conditions can be experienced by individuals not having partnered sex or who have never had partnered sex. 

 

Yeast Infection

  • Symptoms: For female-bodied folks, irritation (burning, itchiness, rash, redness, or swelling) of vaginal opening or vulva, vaginal pain or soreness, changes in vaginal discharge; for male-bodied folks, irritation (burning, itching, reddening, dryness/peeling) of penis, watery secretions from penile opening

  • Causes: Overgrowth of yeast bacteria for various reasons (i.e., some lubes with glycerin, increased moisture in the vaginal area due to sweating or not changing underwear, etc.)

  • Diagnosis: Physical exam or sample of discharge

  • Prevention: Multiple options but nothing sure-fire (i.e., wiping front to back, wearing cotton underwear, avoiding douching or ‘feminine hygiene washes’)

  • Treatment: For first infection, go to a healthcare provider for treatment; Subsequent infections treated with over-the-counter medications

 

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

  • Symptoms: Unusual discharge, odour that’s worse after PIV intercourse (due to mixing of discharge with semen), vaginal soreness after intercourse, vulvar itching or burning

  • Causes: Overgrowth of vaginal bacteria for various reasons (i.e., douching or hormonal changes)

  • Diagnosis: Physical exam or sample of discharge

  • Prevention: Multiple options but nothing sure-fire (i.e., wearing cotton underwear, avoiding douching or ‘feminine hygiene washes’)

  • Treatment: Antibiotics; Monitor for cleared symptoms to avoid complications like PID and further reproductive issues

 

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

  • Symptoms: For all people, frequent or painful urination, cloudy, bloody, or smelly urine, lower back/lower abdominal pain; For female-bodied folks, pain during vaginal intercourse

  • Causes: Bacterial infection of urethra and bladder from bowel bacteria, commonly E.coli

  • Diagnosis: Urine test

  • Prevention: Avoid passing bowel bacteria (i.e., wipe front to back, changing condoms between anal and vaginal sex, oral sex of penis or vagina before rimming rather than after, etc.), peeing after sex

  • Treatment: Antibiotics; Monitor for cleared symptoms to avoid spread to kidneys and more serious complications

STI Testing

* Please note that the SHRC does not provide STI tests or medical care related to STIs. We are an information and referral service, so we can share STI testing information and options.

 

How often should one test?

Frequency of testing for STIs will depend on one’s own risks and needs. It is recommended that everyone be tested at least once a year after they have started engaging in sexual activities that can put them at risk for STIs. However, in situations where barrier methods are not being used consistently, where these barrier methods fail, the end of a sexual relationship, intravenous drug use is initiated, or sexual assault, some persons may choose to get tested at different intervals, such as every 3 months or after every sexual relationship. 

 

What can you expect during an STI test?

Typically, healthcare providers will test you for STIs you have the most risk for. It is not uncommon for blood tests to not be included in this risk assessment. That being said, when it comes to STI testing, we encourage people to be consistent, insistent and persistent! You have a right to be tested for everything, regardless of your designated “risk group.”

 

Most STI testing happens in-person with the support of a healthcare provider. All tests are confidential (i.e., one may need to supply their name and health card number but their health record is completely confidential). Some tests are anonymous (no name or health card number attached). Self-testing/at-home testing options are available for some STIs (i.e., GetaKit.ca for HIV self-testing).

 

STI tests include: blood tests, urine tests, swab tests (i.e., cervix, rectum, throat), and physical examination of genital areas and/or affected body parts. Different tests check for different types of STIs (i.e., HIV is diagnosed with a blood test while chlamydia is diagnosed using a urine or swab test). To learn more about what tests can screen for which STIs, review the overview of types of STIs and how different ones are diagnosed.

 

A phone call will be given if test results are positive. No phone call means the results were negative. Some healthcare providers prefer to give results in person at a follow-up appointment.

 

Past partner tracing is required if you test positive for HIV, Hep A/B/C, Chlamydia, or Gonorrhea. That means, you or a healthcare provider on your behalf has to contact sexual partners to inform them that their partner has an STI.

 

STI Testing Options in Kingston

If you have a primary care provider/family doctor in Kingston, you can go to them for STI testing. If you don’t have a family doctor in Kingston, read on: 

 

Kingston has many ‘Quick Test Locations’ for those without symptoms to get tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea. There is no healthcare provider at this clinic - one just fills out a form and provides a sample. These locations are denoted with an * below.

 

Specific locations for symptomatic or asymptomatic STI testing include:

  • Queen’s University Student Wellness Services for Queen’s students only

  • St. Lawrence College Kingston Campus Health Centre for SLC students only

  • KFL&A Public Health Unit* for community members

  • Trellis HIV & Community Care (formerly HARS)* for community members

  • Street Health Centre (via Kingston Community Health Centre)* for community members

  • Weller Clinic (via Kingston Community Health Centre)*  for community members

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