These two feel pretty stoked right now.
Is it because they just had great sex?
Or because they used a condom?
Was it the ‘chilling’ before that…
Or because it felt like the perfect match?
Maybe?
Or maybe they felt safe doing the best part, because they regularly do the test part.
Yeah, that’s it.
Make STI testing your Beforeplay.
Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra.
Sexually transmissible infections (STIs) are passed from person to person through sexual contact.
Prevention
The best ways to prevent STIs are to:
- practise safe sex
- use protection such as condoms and dental dams, in combination with condom-safe lubricants.
- get tested regularly
- get vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B
- talk to your healthcare professional about whether pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is suitable for you, and how and when accessing HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may be appropriate for you.
Doing these things reduce your risk of getting an STI, but there is still a chance of infection. Hormonal contraception such as the birth control pill does not protect you from STIs.
Testing
Regular testing is important to:
- maintain good sexual health
- prevent the spread of STIs
- ensure infections are 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.
You can get a test at your healthcare provider or a GP, sexual health clinics and more.
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.
Common STIs
STIs can affect anyone of any age, gender, relationship satus or sexual orientation.
Common STIs include:
- chlamydia
- syphilis
- gonorrhoea
- hepatitis B
- hepatitis C
- HIV
- HPV
- mpox (formerly Monkeypox).
Connect with services
Talking about your sexual health is important. Speaking with your health care professional is a great place to start. You can also chat to your friends, partner or someone you feel comfortable talking to.
Find a sexual health clinic near you
Use healthdirect’s directory of healthcare professionals and services to find a service near you.
Australian information and services
Find links to national, state and territory information and services.
healthdirect hotline
Call 1800 022 222 to speak to a registered nurse about your health concerns. This hotline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics
UCCs give you and your family more options to see a doctor or nurse when you need care for urgent but not life-threatening illnesses or injuries. You can get tested and treated for STIs at these clinics.
Support
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) is a confidential information, counselling and support service. It is available for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence.
Fast facts
1 in 6
Australians has had a notifiable STI in their lifetime
119,063
cases of notifiable STI were reported in 2021
What is a notifiable STI? Some diseases are tracked nationally to monitor outbreaks. This helps build a better understanding of these diseases and how best to reduce the harm they cause. Notifiable STIs include chlamydia, donovanosis, gonorrhoea and syphilis (congenital, less than 2 years duration, or more than 2 years or unspecified duration).