| Contents |
Chlamydia
Description
A bacterium similar to gonorrhoea which can infect the arse, vagina, dick and throat. Chlamydia is a very common sexually transmitted infection
Transmission
It is easily transmitted by giving or receiving anal sex, oral sex, vaginal sex and arse play such as fingering and fisting.
Signs and symptoms
It is quite common to have no symptoms. However, symptoms can include a discharge from the dick and a stinging sensation while pissing.
When will it show up?
Usually within 2 - 14 days but can take as long as 21 days.
Treatment
It is easily cured with antibiotics.
Prevention
Using a condom and water based lubricant can help prevent infection. It can be transmitted by touching an infected area and then touching your own dick or arse. Regular testing for Chlamydia as part of sexual health screening is recommended. Washing your hands with soap and water immediately after sex can help prevent transmission especially if having sex with multiple partners.
Gonorrhoea
Description
Gonorrhoea is a bacterium that infects a person's dick, vagina, arse, throat or eyes.
Transmission
It is easily transmitted by giving or receiving anal sex, oral sex and
arse play such as fingering and fisting. Touching an infected dick or arse and then touching your own dick, arse or eyes can also transmit gonorrhoea.
Signs and symptoms
It is quite common to have no symptoms. However symptoms can include a dry, sore, throat, itchiness and pain during bowel movements, a clear or yellow discharge from the dick and pain or burning when urinating.
When will it show up?
2 - 10 days after exposure.
Treatment
It is easily cured with antibiotics.
Prevention
Using a condom and lube can help prevent infection. It can be transmitted through oral sex or by touching an infected area and then touching your own dick, arse or eyes. Regular testing for Gonorrhoea as part of sexual health screening is recommended. Washing your hands with soap and water immediately after sex can help prevent transmission, especially if having sex with multiple partners
Hepatitis A
Description
A virus which causes inflammation of the liver.
Transmission
By faeces through activities like arse play and rimming, or by not washing your hands after sex with an infected person. It can also be passed on via contaminated water, bongs and eating and drinking utensils.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms can include mild flu like illness, vomiting, abdominal pain and jaundice (yellow skin).
When will it show up?
2 - 4 weeks after exposure.
Treatment
Most people who get hepatitis A will recover and develop an immunity to the virus.
Prevention
There is an effective hepatitis A vaccination. A hepatitis A and B combination vaccination is also available. See your doctor.
Herpes
Description
A virus that's caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of HSV:
Type 1 is usually found around the mouth and is commonly known as cold sores.
Type 2 is usually found around the dick or arse areas.
Transmission
Herpes virus can be transmitted both sexually and non-sexually during skin to skin contact, by direct contact with a sore on the mouth, dick or arse.
Herpes can also be transmitted during foreplay when an infected area comes into contact with another person. It can also be transmitted when there are no obvious symptoms present.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms may not always be present but can include:
- Itching or tingly feeling around the infected area
- An outbreak of painful blisters or sores which later form scabs
- Flu-like symptoms may be present
When will it show up?
Generally 2 - 30 days after being exposed if symptoms are going to occur but it may take months to years.
Treatment
There is no cure but there are treatments that can reduce symptoms and speed up recovery. The possibility of repeated outbreaks varies from person to person, but outbreaks may become less frequent and over time may stop altogether.
Prevention
Condoms can reduce the risk of transmission but do not always cover the infected area. The virus may be present on the balls or arse area.
HIV/AIDS
HIV and AIDS are covered in detail on these pages on this website:
- Information for people concerned about possible HIV infection
Worried you may have been at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS? Read this. - Facts About HIV and AIDS
What are HIV and AIDS, how is HIV transmitted, what are the effects and how can transmission be prevented? - HIV/AIDS Statistics
Local, national and global HIV and AIDS statistics. - HIV/AIDS Treatments Information
Iinformation on treatments for people with HIV/AIDS. - What is PEP? Post Exposure Prophylaxis
If you think you've been exposed to HIV, there is a treatment available that may reduce the risk of the virus taking hold in your body. It is most effective in the days immediately following exposure so be sure to get on to it quick.
Syphilis
Description
Caused by a bacterium which infects your blood.
Transmission
Transmitted by giving or receiving anal sex, oral sex and arse play with an infected person. A person can easily pass the disease to sex partners when first or second stage signs or symptoms are present.
Signs and symptoms
It is common for the symptoms of syphilis to go unnoticed. The signs and symptoms of syphilis usually follow 3 stages all having different symptoms.
- Stage 1: A painless red sore on your dick, balls, mouth, throat or arse which turns into a scab and then heals.
- Stage 2: A rash on the palms of the hand, soles of the feet or other parts of the body. In addition to rashes, second stage symptoms can also include fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches and tiredness. These symptoms usually occur 7 - 10 weeks after exposure.
- Stage 3: If untreated, syphilis remains in the body and begins to damage internal organs including the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones and joints. In about one-third of untreated people this internal damage shows up many years later. This damage may be serious enough to cause death.
When will it show up?
Early stages of infection may show up
10 - 90 days after exposure.
Treatment
Syphilis is easily cured with antibiotics. If left untreated for many years syphilis can cause serious damage to any organ in the body. This is quite rare, however, due to the use of antibiotics and regular sexual health testing.
Prevention
Only areas protected by condoms, dams or gloves are protected from infection. Touching any sore or rash should be avoided.