Sexually Transmitted Infections
adapted from http://www.sexualityandu.ca administered by The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada
This week in April is sexually transmitted infections week. Below you will find information that may be helpful for you and/or for someone you love.

Sexually Transmitted Infections
Few things in life are as important as one's health, and exposure to a sexually transmitted infection (STI) is a real threat to anyone's health. These infections can be prevented, or at least chances of getting one reduced, by knowing what they are. Prevention is key! Many STIs show no obvious signs or symptoms. It is the individual's responsibility to avoid infection and to be tested if there is any doubt, and to inform a prospective partner of any possible infections.

Assess Your Risk
This quiz is designed to help you test whether you're up-to-date when it comes to assessing the risks of exposure to a sexually transmitted infection. Take the quiz by yourself or with a loved one, or send it along to someone you care about. http://www.sexualityandu.ca/eng/adults/STI/assessrisk.cfm

Protection Works
Only no sex at all is truly safe sex!! ...but "safer" sex can be achieved by using a condom. Both male and female condoms are still the best protection (short of abstinence) against sexually transmitted infections and HIV. Individuals can practice safer sex by always using condoms, no matter what, or by being tested for STI/HIV and then being mutually monogamous - that is, an individual only has sex with the one partner.

What Am I Risking?
Individuals risk a lot by not protecting themselves from sexually transmitted infections. The good news is that most sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be cured, others can be controlled. There is a vaccine to prevent Hepatitis B. The bad news is that some, like HIV, can be deadly. STIs and HIV can affect anyone. STIs are unpredictable because neither partner may show any symptoms, or the symptoms may not appear for weeks, months or even years after they've been infected. In the case of HIV, it is possible that 15 years can pass before the infection actually leads to visible symptoms.

Individuals can spread the infection without being aware they have done so, because even though they might be infected, they may not be experiencing any symptoms. The only way to be sure is to be tested. Know that it is not a disgrace to become infected, or that doing so means individuals have a "loose" character or are unclean in any way. Anyone who is sexually active can become infected if precautions aren't taken. Having an STI is a medical problem, not a moral one. Every individual has an obligation to protect themselves from STIs and to avoid the transmission of an infection to a partner.

One consequence of untreated STIs is infertility. Women tend to suffer more severe long-term consequences of STIs, including infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, and cervical dysplasia (abnormal pap smear). Women are also less likely to see a doctor if infected because many STIs in women exhibit no symptoms, and the infections are more difficult to diagnose. Keep in mind the following:

The exchange of bodily fluids is the most common way to pass along an infection, no matter whether the infection is viral or bacterial.
Skin-to-skin contact is another way to transmit certain infections. Herpes and warts are spread in this way, and a condom may not fully protect you.
Infected women who are pregnant can unknowingly pass some infections to their babies during pregnancy and at birth.
Infected mothers can unknowingly pass the HIV virus through their breast milk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I still at risk for STIs if I have been in a monogamous relationship for several years?
If both partners are 100 percent monogamous over several years and neither is aware of any previous STI, it is unlikely that there are risks.

Are you at risk if you donate blood or you're sexually involved with someone who donates blood?
No, not at all. Donating blood is done using sterile techniques which means it is as close to germ-free as possible.

There used to be a story that you could catch STIs from toilet seats, especially those found in public washrooms. Is this true?
It is probably possible to get pubic lice from a toilet seat, but you would have to use the seat shortly after someone who is heavily infected. It is assumed that the chances of it happening are fairly remote. There are no other known STIs that can be transmitted in this manner.

How can I guarantee complete privacy when talking to my doctor about STIs?
Information that you share with your physician is confidential, although there are a few exceptions to this rule. There are some STIs that are reportable. That means the doctor is obligated to report his findings to the local health authority. If you tell your doctor that you previously had a STI, that information remains between the two of you. The doctor only has to report certain STIs if she/he did the test on you and has the result. They use this information to make sure that infectious diseases do not get out of control in the general population. They might contact you and ask you to inform your previous sexual contacts so that they may be treated.

Do employers have the right to ask you if you have or have ever had an STI's?
No, they do not is the immediate response, but unfortunately it is not that straightforward. Certain professionals, such as doctors and dentists, are obliged to be tested for Hepatitis B and C. You are not allowed to perform surgery if you have one of those infections. Some jobs require that you have some kind of personal insurance and many insurance companies will not hire you if you have not had an HIV test.

Can you suggest ways of dealing with the fact that either you or a loved one has an STI?
Being up-front with each other is always the best plan. It is difficult to tell someone that you have an STI. It is even more difficult to tell them after they have become infected. Education is your best protection against further problems. Find out as much as you can about the particular STI. This will help in terms of knowing how long you should abstain from sexual contact. It will help you with recognizing the signs and symptoms to look out for and it will help with knowing how to prevent future infections.
The emotional aspects are a little more difficult to deal with. Some people are more affected than others are. Reassurance is always helpful. Try to be non-judgmental. It only takes one partner to infect someone. Most STIs are manageable with little long-term effects other than having to be cautious. Some are completely curable. HIV and hepatitis are the exceptions and there are many support groups for people who have been affected.

Remember, you can find out more information on sexually transmitted infections through any doctor's office, or through Eastern New Mexico University's Health Services.