Pillars of Health: Sexual Health

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and is the most common STI in Canada. This STI is transmitted through unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sex with an infected partner. Symptoms may appear 2-6 weeks after exposure. Common symptoms may include change in discharge from vagina, or experience of discharge from penis, burning sensation during urination, and pain in the lower abdomen or genitals. However, most people do not experience symptoms at all. This means you can transmit the infection without knowing. Therefore, swab and/or urine testing is the only way to know if you have chlamydia. Once the diagnosis is made, it is typically treated using antibiotics.

Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhea and is the second most common STI in Canada. This STI is transmitted through unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sex with an infected partner. Symptoms may appear 2 to 7 days after exposure. Common symptoms may include thick yellow discharge from genitals, burning sensation during urination, and pain in lower abdomen. However, most people do not experience symptoms at all. This means you can transmit the infection without knowing. Therefore, swab and/or urine testing is the only way to know if you have gonorrhea. Once the diagnosis is made, it is typically treated using antibiotics.

Syphilis is a bacterial infection caused by Treponema pallidum. This STI is transmitted through unprotected oral, vaginal, and anal sex or contact with a contagious lesion or rash. Syphilis is broken down into four stages (primary, secondary, latent and tertiary), and the infection causes serious health impacts if in the body for long periods without treatment. Symptoms may appear within 1 week of exposure. The most common symptom is the appearance of sores in or around the mouth and genitals, rash and flu-like symptoms. However, not everyone with syphilis shows symptoms. Therefore, a blood test 4-6 weeks after exposure may indicate if you have syphilis. Once the diagnosis is made, it is typically treated with antibiotics, and the level of treatment is dependent on the stage of the infection.

HIV is a virus that can weaken the immune system and the body’s ability to fight other infections. It is important to get tested since most people living with HIV have no symptoms; if someone did have symptoms, these symptoms could include sore muscles, feeling tired, night sweats, sore throat, fever, weight loss, and swollen lymph nodes. HIV can be transmitted by body fluids and methods of transmission include vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected person or sharing needles and other equipment to use drugs. When HIV has been in the body for a long time untreated, it can lead to the most serious stage called AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).

AIDS has no cure and no vaccination yet, but it can be adequately managed with antiretroviral treatment leading to less viral levels in blood of the infected person; hence, if successfully treated, it cannot be passed to the sex partner. Health Services provides HIV testing (you can make an appointment by calling 613.727.4723 ext. 7222). For Ottawa residents, you can also order free HIV testing kits to be delivered to your home through the Get a Kit website. For HIV information Hotlines by province, please visit the Canadian Aids Society website.

All forms of hepatitis are viral infections that affect the liver. While Hepatitis A (Hep A) and Hepatitis B (Hep B) are vaccine-preventable infections, Hepatitis C (Hep C) is not.
Hep A is transmitted through contact with infected feces and blood. Hep B is transmitted through saliva, blood, semen, vaginal and rectal fluids. Hep C is transmitted through blood-to-blood contact. Many people can carry the virus without showing any symptoms, then spread it to other people, food, and surfaces. The virus is most commonly spread through:

-Oral, vaginal, anal sex, and sex toys.
-Sharing needles and drug paraphernalia.
-Sharing personal hygiene articles and non-sterile medical equipment.
-Contamination during harvest, manufacturing, processing and handling of food.
-Hands that are not washed properly after using the restroom or helping someone else use the restroom.
-People travelling to countries where hepatitis is common.

Chronic hepatitis B may lead to serious problems if not treated, such as liver cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hepatitis B can be transmitted by having oral, vaginal, or anal sex with an infected partner. It can also be transmitted by sharing needles or exposure to infected blood. Acute hepatitis B may induce flu-like symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.
Hepatitis C has no vaccination and people could have it for years without knowing it. It can be passed by contact with infected blood or bodily fluids, such as vaginal fluid and semen. On this site, you will find ways that hepatitis C spreads in Canada. Treatment of hepatitis C almost cures everyone.

There are many types of HPV; some of these types are primarily sexually transmitted. Of these, some may cause genital or anal warts, while other types could cause more serious conditions, such as cervical, anal, and penile cancers. (The most common HPV types causing cancer are HPV 16 and 18.) HPV is very contagious, and it is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact and oral, vaginal, or anal sex with an infected partner. Thus, it is recommended to get vaccinated and tested. There are proven immunizations for HPV in Canada. Moreover, the Ontario Cervical Screening Program recommends that women who are or have been sexually active have a Pap test every 3 years starting at age 21.

Genital herpes are caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). There are two types: HSV-1 is associated with oral infection and may cause cold sores around the mouth and HSV-2 is associated to genital herpes. However, both virus my causes blisters/sores around the mouth and genitals. This STI is transmitted through unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sex with an infected partner, and touching sores/blisters. Symptoms may appear within 21 days of exposure. Common symptoms include small blisters around the vagina, penis, thighs or bottom, burning sensations during urination, and fever. However, many of these symptoms can go unnoticed and you can transmit the infection without knowing. Testing by providing a swab of a sore/blister or a blood test, is a method to determine if you have Herpes. Unfortunately, there is not a cure for herpes, however, there are some treatments available after diagnosis. This includes antiviral medications and suppressive therapy. Many experience outbreaks throughout their life and such treatments may reduce the frequency of outbreaks, or the duration of the outbreak itself.

Trichomoniasis is the most common non-viral STI globally and it is caused by the parasite, Trichomonas vaginalis. This STI can be transmitted through unprotected sexual activity including sharing sex toys and mutual masturbation with an infected partner. Around 10-50% of infected people don’t have symptoms. It can be treated by antibiotics and it is recommended to be treated early to prevent complications.

• STI resource library from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada
• CDC STD Fact Sheets
• CDC Fact Sheet: Information for Teens and Young Adults: Staying Healthy and Preventing STDs
• For information about AIDS, visit the Canadian AIDS Society
• For more information about Hepatitis C, visit PHAC Hepatitis C fact sheet
• Time to Screen Tool for Cervical Cancer
• STI resources from Planned Parenthood Ottawa
• Sexual Health Ontario STI prevention Tips
• Safer Sex Tips from Options for Sexual Health