Words by Sebastian Andrew
Australian high school sexual education (be it public or private) tends to focus on STI prevention. What happens if reliable (nothing is 100% foolproof) prevention methods fail, or aren’t used, isn’t elaborated on in great detail.
If you’re sexually active – especially if you or your partner have multiple sexual contacts, I would strongly urge maintaining frequent (SHINE SA recommends every 6-12 months) sexual health checks. SHINE SA, or the Adelaide Sexual Health Centre, are examples of clinics that offer free* and confidential testing for STIs. Your local doctor will also provide them, but keep appointment fees in mind. STI tests generally involve a urine sample or saliva swap. Blood tests may be taken for blood-borne viruses. Whether you’re sexually active, or had sex a while ago and have a paranoia-inducing weird rash on your genitals, get yourself tested. You are not wasting yours or the professionals’ time. Always better to be safe than sorry.
So, what happens if you get that dreaded positive result?
1. Notification
Chlamydia, HIV, or syphilis (in addition to others not included in this list), are characterised under SA law as ‘notifiable conditions’. If a test reveals you have contracted one of these, whoever performed the test is required by law to notify SA Health of your condition. Details collected from you will include your name, age, gender, contact details, date of unwellness, and also potential sources of infection and travel history if this is deemed relevant. This is for the purpose of monitoring and controlling the spread.
2. Notification (con’t)
Notifying recent sexual contacts is a must. Now, don’t go overboard (you don’t need to tell someone you kissed two years ago that you’ve tested positive for herpes), but if you’ve engaged with multiple partners over a recent time frame, letting them all know is the best course of action. STIs can lay dormant for weeks so it can be hard to keep track of where you may have caught it, or how long you’ve been infectious for. If you’re only engaging with one sexual partner, your positive test may confirm that they’re unaware of their infection and need to get tested, potentially letting other people know depending on the nature of the relationship.
Letting someone know you’ve tested positive for an STI is awkward at best and can strain relationships at worst. But for the sake of public and personal health (because most STIs come with nasty side effects), and basic decency, it’s something you have to do.
3. Seek treatment/management
Some STIs can be treated – completely treated, no lifelong symptoms or transmissibility. Surprised? I sure was? Some common STIs such as syphilis, gonorrhoea, and chlamydia can be treated if caught early, which is why regular tests, or not hesitating to test if you have suspicions, is crucial. Syphilis generally needs only one penicillin shot if discovered within a year of infection. Gonorrhoea and chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics, where symptoms of gonorrhoea generally resolve within a week of treatment. Now, I do not want this to come off as trivialising catching an STI – they come with nasty side-effects and pose a threat to public health – but in some cases, catching an STI is not the permanent, life-altering affliction we’re led to believe.
This sadly isn’t the case with all. STIs such as Herpes, HIV, and HPV cannot be fully treated, but they can be managed to varying degrees.
- Symptoms of genital herpes can be reduced via use of antivirals. This is most effective if started within 72 hours of symptoms developing. Otherwise, antivirals can be used to manage symptoms if they flare up.
- Treatments known as antiretroviral therapy (ART) cannot remove the virus from the body but can stop its reproduction, decreasing the total viral load.
- No treatment exists for HPV, but the virus generally clears itself from the body within 1-2 years of infection. Cryotherapy, ointments, or surgical removal are recommended should HPV infection lead to development of genital warts.
4. Engage in safe practices
An STI does not have to result in the end of your sex life. On the contrary, getting over an STI infection does not mean that you’re immune to future infections.
- It is recommended that you refrain from sexual intercourse for a timeframe that varies depending on the STI you’ve been diagnosed with. For most, it’s recommended to refrain for a week or two post-treatment. For herpes, refraining is recommended until a week after sores have healed. For HIV, it is recommended to wait six months, as this is how long it takes for ART treatments to begin working.
- No one wants to get over an infection, only to catch it again. Refrain from engaging in intercourse with partners who you’ve engaged with during the initial infection time frame – they may still be infectious and you could be putting yourself at risk.
- Be open and honest with any new partners. Admitting you’re currently passing an STI, or have one for life, can be scary, and a dealbreaker for some. But it’s the right thing to do, and lying could not only put your relationship at risk, but your partner’s health too. Failing to inform a partner is also a gross breach of consent.
- ART treatments can prevent the ability of HIV being spread to a partner, but, in the case of herpes, condoms are required even between outbreaks of symptoms. Oral contact such as kissing must be avoided immediately before, after, or during outbreaks if you’ve tested positive for oral herpes. With HPV, it is recommended to ensure a partner is properly vaccinated as condoms may not be enough to stop transmission.
Just to rehash, STIs can generally be avoided by;
- Use of condoms, dental dams, gloves (or alternating hands if engaging in manual sex)
- Frequent STI checks, especially if you or a sexual partner are engaging with multiple partners.
- Transparency between partners about possible sexual engagements outside their partnership
- Not sharing injecting equipment, and exercising caution with sharing makeup (especially lip products)
- Avoiding intercourse if you or your partner display symptoms (unusual genital discharge, or sores/lumps around mouth or genitals)
I’ve tried to be as all encompassing as possible, but if you want more information, SHINE SA and The Adelaide Sexual Health Centre have well informed guides regarding symptoms, methods of attainment, and treatments for many STIs. Health Direct also offers good advice.
Have fun, and stay safe.
SHINE SA
Practices are located on: 57 Hyde Street, Adelaide SA 5000, and 64c Woodville Road, Woodville SA 5011. Both clinics are open from 9am-5pm, closed over weekends. Online booking is available on their website, or by calling (08) 7099 5320 (Hyde Street), or (08) 8300 5300 (Woodville). For rapid HIV testing, please visit the Hyde Street Practice.
For more information visit https://shinesa.org.au/
The Adelaide Sexual Health Centre provides free and confidential specialist sexual health services. It is located on 137 East Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000. Opening times vary. Appointments can be booked by phoning (08) 71172800. For more information visit https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/services/primary+and+specialised+services/sexual+health+services/adelaide+sexual+health+centre/about+adelaide+sexual+health+centre/about+adelaide+sexual+health+centre
On Dit 