Sexually transmitted infections
STD; STI; safe; sex; hepatitis; herpes; HIV/AIDS; crabs; scabies; thrush; trichomoniasis; balanitis; gonorrhoea; syphilis; urethritis; genital; warts; chlamydia; sexually; transmitted; disease; safer; infection; itch; discharge; report; reporting; mandatory; rape; sexual; assault; condoms ;
Contents
While it may be unlikely that your son or daughter will tell you directly that they think they may have a sexually transmitted infection (STI), you may want to know what to do if STIs are part of the problems that they are having.
If young people have been sexually assaulted or have had unprotected sex there is a fairly high risk that they will also have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection. If they go to a sexual assault service they will be checked for STIs, but if they do not want to go to this type of service, they may not have the physical checks that find STIs.
There are many STIs. Some of the STIs are bacterial vaginosis, balanitis, chlamydia, crabs (pubic lice), genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhoea, hepatitis B, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), molluscum contagiosum, non-specific urethritis, scabies, syphilis, thrush (candidiasis) and trichomoniasis.
There are topics about all of these STIs on the Young Adult part of this website. There is also a Teen Health topic similar to this topic.
Sometimes STIs cause symptoms such as a discharge, itching or a sore. Some, like molluscum contagiosum cause lumps. But some of the time STIs do not cause any symptoms. Some STIs, such as chlamydia, can cause infertility (being unable to have a baby) without any apparent illness, or sometimes just a mild pain in the lower tummy, or when having sexual intercourse (see 'Pelvic inflamatory disease').
Testing
Why Get Tested?
- Young people can be infected with an STI if they experience sexual abuse or have unprotected sex.
- Many young people start to have intimate sexual relationships when they are in their mid-teens, or younger. At that age they may have little knowledge of avoiding STIs or an unwanted pregnancy.
- Many STIs do not cause symptoms and the effects of an untreated STI can include infertility.
Where To Get Tested?
- Testing can be done at the local or family doctor's clinics (GP), at special STI clinics, many community health centres and youth health centres. (See the resource list below.)
- All of these services have strict policies about confidentiality. Check what their policies are.
About Testing
- The doctor will ask about the young person's health and what happened. If a young person does not want to answer some questions, the health checks can still be done.
- Tests may include blood tests, urine tests, having a swab taken and a genital examination.
- This genital examination will include looking and feeling for rashes, lumps or sores.
- For males:
- Testing will involve looking at the penis and taking a swab if there is a discharge. This means a sample of the fluid or cells will be collected on a cotton swab.
- If a man is uncircumcised, the fore-skin will be pulled back to check for any rashes or sores underneath.
- Urine tests can detect some of the STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
A man has the right to control what is done to his body, and can say no to any tests or examinations
.
- Urine tests can detect some of the STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
- Usually the doctor will recommend a vaginal examination, as this gives the best information about whether there is an infection.
- The doctor will insert one or two fingers into the vagina to feel the cervix, womb and fallopian tubes to check for lumps or tenderness. The doctor might also insert a speculum in the vagina. The speculum is a plastic or metal instrument that allows the doctor to see the cervix. The doctor will take swabs from the vagina, cervix and urinary opening with a little stick with cotton wool on the end.
- Doctors realise this is embarrassing for most women, and if someone is very anxious it can feel uncomfortable. Swabs can still be taken, but using the speculum gives the best results.
A woman has the right to control what is done to her body, and can say no to any tests or examinations.
- What treatment is used varies depending on the type of infection found. For some, antibiotics can be used, but not for all infections.
- It is very important to have the full treatment (ie, do not stop antibiotics early).
- If the person has a sexual partner, that person should be tested and treated at the same time if the partner has the infection, or the partner should be protected until the infection has been fully treated (see the Young Adult topic 'Safer sex').
- In most cases the doctor will ask the young person to return after treatment to be sure that the treatment has worked.
- Doctors have to report some diseases, including some STIs, to health departments. This is to try to stop the spread of an infection.
- In some cases the person with an STI will be asked about sexual contacts.
- All staff of these Communicable Diseases units have very strict confidentiality rules. You can check the rules with your health care worker.
Ways to avoid STIs
- STIs can be avoided through using barriers when having sexual intercourse, such as a condom.
- Intimate relationships do not have to include sexual intercourse. Both partners have to agree to this, and prepare for how they will manage.
- See the Young Adult topic 'Safer sex' for more information.
South Australia
- Several services in South Australia offer free and confidential clinics for testing. The health practitioner can give you advice, tests and provide treatment.
- Clinic 275
(the Sexually Transmitted Infections clinic of the Royal Adelaide Hospital)
- (08) 8226 6025
- Country callers 1800 806 490
- web site: http://www.stdservices.on.net
- Sexual Healthline of SHine
- 9 am to 1 pm Monday to Friday 1300 883 793 (Country callers 1800 188 171)
- web site: http://www.shinesa.org.au
- TheSecond Story Youth Health Service
- Central:57 Hyde St, Adelaide
- South: 50a Beach Rd, Christies Beach
- North:6 Gillingham Rd, Elizabeth
- West: 51 Bower St, Woodville
- Youth Healthline on 1300 13 17 19,
- Child and Youth Health Parent Helpline (24 hours, 7 days)
- 1300 364 100
- AIDS Council of SA (ACSA) (08) 8362 1611.
- Country callers:1800 888 559
- http://acsa.org.au
- Community health centres, hospitals and doctors, check in your local phone book.
- Yarrow Place. Preventing Rape and Sexual Assault'. Excellent source of information about safety and resources, and also about a Young People's Rape Prevention Project. South Australian Government. http://www.wch.sa.gov.au/services/az/other/yarrowplace/files/index.htm
Australia
Sexually Transmitted Diseases Services (Clinic 275):
http://www.stdservices.on.net/
SHine SA 'Sexually transmitted infections' Fact sheet
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).
This topic may use 'he' and 'she' in turn - please change to suit your
child's sex.