Testing
Regular testing is important to:
- maintain good sexual health
- prevent the spread of STIs including syphilis
- ensure infections are detected and treated as soon as possible.
Often STIs do not show symptoms. You can still pass on an STI even if you don't notice symptoms, or after your symptoms resolve.
To get an STI test, yarn to your local healthcare provider or GP, or visit your nearest sexual health clinics. The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation also has useful information about how to get the help you need.
Syphilis on the rise
Did you know there’s a surge in syphilis cases in Australia?
Syphilis is serious and can cause major health problems if left untreated. If you are expecting a baby, syphilis can also pose risks to you and your bub. Syphilis often has no symptoms and many people don’t know they have it. The best way to prevent syphilis and other STIs is to practise safe sex by using protection and yarning to your health worker about getting tested. Because STIs are gammon!
Treatment and management
Most STIs are easily treated and many are curable or can be managed. Early detection is key.
Some STIs can be treated with antibiotics, but talk to your healthcare professional about treatment that’s right for you.
If left untreated, STIs can cause serious health effects for men and women. This can include permanent damage to your reproductive system which might result in infertility, chronic pain, and impact your unborn babies.
Educational Resources
Videos
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00:15STIs are Gammon – Video 1 – 15 seconds
Getting tested regularly for STIs is one of the best ways to look after your health and the health of your community. Have a yarn to your health worker, get tested and always use protection. Because STIs are gammon! -
00:15STIs are Gammon – Video 2 – 15 seconds
Getting tested regularly for STIs is one of the best ways to look after your health and the health of your community. Have a yarn to your health worker, get tested and always use protection. Because STIs are gammon! -
00:15STIs are Gammon – Video 3 – 15 seconds
Pregnant? You could have syphilis and not even realise. Have a yarn to your health worker, get tested and always use protection. Because STIs are gammon -
00:15STIs are Gammon – Video 4 – 15 seconds
Syphilis can cause serious health problems. Have a yarn to your health worker, get tested and always use protection. Because STIs are gammon!
Northern Territory videos
These entertaining and informative videos with comedians Aaron Fa’aoso and Janty Blair touch on the questions that we’d all like to ask. In ‘True or Gammon’ style, they encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Northern Territory to get tested, use protection and practise safe sex.
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00:18STIs promo with Aaron and Tawhio – True or Gammon – 20 second video
Comedian Aaron Fa’aoso brings his fun and cheeky humour in this short promo video about STIs. -
5:32STIs with Aaron and Tawhio – True or Gammon – 5 minute video
Aaron Fa’aoso sits down with deadly Aboriginal health practitioner, Tawhio from Tennant Creek, Northern Territory. In 'True or Gammon' style, they answer all your burning questions about STIs. -
00:13STIs promo with Janty and Jecinta – True or Gammon – 15 second video
In this short promo, deadly comedian Janty Blair introduces STIs and invites you to watch the full video. -
6:03STIs with Janty and Jecinta – True or Gammon – 6 minute video
Deadly comedian Janty Blair yarns with Aboriginal health practitioner, Jecinta from Darwin, Northern Territory. In ‘True or Gammon’ style, they shed light on some myths about STIs.
Queensland videos
These entertaining and informative videos with comedians Aaron Fa’aoso and Janty Blair touch on the questions that we’d all like to ask. In ‘True or Gammon’ style, they encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland to get tested, use protection and practise safe sex.
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00:15STIs promo with Aaron and Mario – True or Gammon – 15 second video
Comedian Aaron Fa’aoso brings his fun and cheeky humour in this short promo video about STIs. -
05:14STIs with Aaron and Mario – True or Gammon – 5 minute video
Comedian Aaron Fa’aoso yarns with deadly Aboriginal health worker, Mario from the Torres Strait. They answer all your burning questions about STIs. -
00:13STIs promo with Janty and Jauncintha – True or Gammon – 15 second video
In this short promo, deadly Comedian Janty Blair introduces STIs and invites you to watch the full video. -
6:43STIs with Janty and Jauncintha – True or Gammon – 7 minute video
Comedian Janty Blair sits down with deadly Aboriginal health worker, Jauncintha from Rockhampton, Queensland. Together they yarn about STIs and answer all your burning questions.
Social animations
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00:15Got a slippery question about what’s on your budoo? – True or Gammon – Social animation
A 15-second video animation to share on your social channels to encourage yarning with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. -
00:15A rash down below got you in a flap? – True or Gammon – Social animation
A 15-second video animation to share on your social channels to encourage yarning with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
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00:15Safe sex a prickly subject? – True or Gammon – Social animation
A 15-second video animation to share on your social channels to encourage yarning with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. -
00:15Got the kind of crabs that aren’t good for eating? – True or Gammon – Social animation
A 15-second video animation to share on your social channels to encourage yarning with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Posters
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1 in 6 people will get an STI – First Nations – Poster 1
STIs are Gammon campaign poster encourages First Nations communities to stay on top of their sexual health by using protection and booking an STI test today. -
Don’t get stung with an STI – First Nations – Poster 2
STIs are Gammon campaign poster encourages First Nations communities to stay on top of their sexual health by using protection and booking an STI test today. -
Syphilis can cause serious health problems – First Nations – Poster 3
STIs are Gammon campaign poster communicates the serious health risks of syphilis. It encourages First Nations communities to stay on top of their sexual health by using protection and booking an STI test today. -
Pregnant? Don’t get rattled by syphilis – First Nations – Poster 4
STIs are Gammon campaign poster aims to prevent syphilis during pregnancy by encouraging First Nations communities to stay on top of their sexual health by using protection and booking an STI test today. -
Got burning questions about STIs with Janty – True or Gammon – Poster 1
True or Gammon poster encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to talk with a health worker about getting tested. -
Got burning questions about STIs with Aaron – True or Gammon – Poster 2
True or Gammon poster encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to talk with a health worker about getting tested. -
Got burning questions about STIs? – Pink – True or Gammon – Poster 3
True or Gammon poster encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to talk with a health worker about getting tested -
Got burning questions about STIs? – Green – True or Gammon – Poster 4
True or Gammon poster encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to talk with a health worker about getting tested. -
Whaddaya mean not all crabs are good to catch? – True or Gammon – Poster 5
True or Gammon poster encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to talk with a health worker about getting tested.
Toolkits
Discover, download, and share a toolkit with all the STI resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In these tool kits you will find videos, social animations and posters.
Learn more
Additional STI and blood borne virus resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (including LGBTQIA+) include: