Hey there and welcome to True or Gammon, where we're going to answer all your burning questions about sexually transmitted infections or STIs. With me is Jecinta all the way from the NT. She's a deadly health worker. Jecinta knows heaps about STIs. I'll bet you've seen some stuff to Jecinta. So, Jecinta, my first question is the name STI. Sounds fun. Pretty fly for an STI, you know, So true or gammon are STI’s fun to get? No, that's absolutely gaming STI's or sexually transmitted infections are infections that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact. It's a fact of life. They can be very common in young people, but they are not fun. Sort of like a comedian that crashes and burns at a stand up comedy gig aye. Not that I know anything about that anyway. So if STI aren't fun, how do we know we've got them? Unfortunately, you don't necessarily see STI's coming because some people may have no symptoms at all. But STI's are easy to avoid and easy to be treated if done early. Phew That's a relief how? The number one tip is to always practise safe sex, use a condom and Lube. It's kind of like the shield that protects you, bro. There are a few sneaky ones that can be passed on from skin to skin contact outside of the condom, so it's smart to get tested. Yeah, Twitter. But you know what it's like when you're getting hot and heavy and you're far from the shops and you don't have one on you? Surely just one little time make a difference. Surely sex is normal and it's natural. And sometimes we might not use condoms for all different reasons. And that's OK as long as we women take the responsibility to get ourselves tested. You may know who you've been with, but you might not know who the other person has been with. So whether it's a regular partner, a casual hook up, a friends with benefits, there's no shame for US women to carry the condoms and be ready. They are easy to use and are the best way to stop you from getting an STI. And remember, if someone tells you that they don't want to use them, give them fellas the flick. Is it true? Or gammon, though that for some fellas, condoms are way too small. OK, that gammon for sure. A condom can actually fit almost 4 litres of water. That's four cartons of milk. That's a lot of milkshake. Uh-huh. And even if he is big, condoms come in different sizes. So we've got you covered. And if any fellow is telling you a condom won't fit, tell them they're gammon. Who? OK, there's definitely some fellas I need to have a word too. So next question. Is it true or gammon that you should be regularly checked for STI's even if you're feeling deadly? Definitely true. A lot of people don't have symptoms or look or feel sick if they have an STI. So if you're having sex, it's smart to get tested every three months or when you get a new partner, just to make sure, Right. So sort of like checking your hair and make up before you go out the door. So you're always looking fine. Yeah, I guess you could say that. OK, next question. What do you say if your friends catch you going into the clinic for a check up and maybe they're starting to spread gossip saying I'm dirty. Wow, I don't know who your friends are, but there is no shame in getting tested for an STI. You should be proud of looking after yourself and your partner or partners. What if I they, I mean someone notice something going on different for their body? I mean something down there. Stop having sex and don't wait to get tested. It's important to be tested and treated as soon as possible. So talk to your health worker or doctor. Do you have to, you know, open wide, look inside? No, not necessarily. Testing is really simple. It's as easy as a blood test or a quick urine sample or a swab you can often do yourself in the clinic toilet. Yeah, but what if someone shame about it? True Or gammon? Do the health workers laugh behind your back when you go and get tested? OH, that's gamming. We've seen it all before and there's no shame here. It's our job to keep it private and make you comfortable. It's just like yawning with your tiddas. So lots of gossip without the gossip. Oh, so Tina, is this true or Gammon? Obviously something on the Internet that says if you have an STI you're dirty and you smell that is definitely given. STI's can be serious and cause everything from itchiness to lumps. Bumps and sores and sores can be in anyone of your holes. If untreated, some STI's can cause damage to your reproductive system, which might mean you're not able to have babies. And if you're pregnant and test positive, make sure you and your partner are both getting treated to prevent risk to Bub. So is it easy to get treated? Yes. Starting treatment as soon as possible is really important. It's simple. We'll let you know what medicine you need during that appointment. Well, that's pretty easy. I guess what's not so easy is telling your partner that you have an STI. Is it true or gammon? You have to tell your partner if you have an STI? Definitely true. There's ways of doing this. Speak to your health worker who can contact the person if you're not comfortable and the health worker or doctor won't share your information. You could have gotten the STI long before you two started hooking up and not realised. It doesn't mean either of you were cheating. It's important that we all look at for each other's health. Good point Tida. But how do we encourage our mob to talk about STI and not be shame job about it? We need to make it normal and we need to educate our mob about these STI. Knowledge is key and we need to empower our women to be having safe sex, getting tested and feeling strong in our own bodies. There is no shame in staying safe or talking about safe sex. Too right Jecinta. Now, One more true or gammon? Am I the funniest comedian you've ever seen? Sorry, Jaunty, No comment.
Tip: #1 tip is always practice safe sex. Use a condom and lube. It’s kind of like the shield that protects you both.
There’s no shame for women to carry condoms.
A condom can fit almost 4 litres of water – TRUE.
Any fulla telling you their condom won’t fit - they’re GAMMON.