After a long night shaking the book stacks at Robarts, the last thing you want is for your friend to leave something a little more permanent in your pants. Nobody wants a sexually transmitted infection. But in case you do get one, it’s good to get informed about their symptoms and treatments — all in time for Valentine’s Day!
1. Gonorrhea & Chlamydia
These two STIs are grouped together, because they sound like ugly twins and their symptoms are very similar. Gonorrhea is an infection caused by bacteria. Not only can it infect your privates front to back, but also your throat and eyes. That’s right, you really want to avoid gonorrhea of the eyes. On the other hand, chlamydia (gonorrhea’s ugly twin) stays below the belt and is very common among young people. Both are transmitted via unprotected sex, oral included.
The symptoms for gonorrhea and chlamydia are similar, and often, if you have one of them, you should be treated for both. In men, look out for burning when you urinate, green or milky discharge, pain in the testes, and itchiness. For women, symptoms are similar, except the pain will be in your lower abdomen and you may have spotting in between periods. The good news? Both gonorrhea and chlamydia are completely treatable! So if you feel pain when you pee, do get checked, then cross your fingers and hope it’s a urinary tract infection. But if not, no worries.
2. Hepatitis B
Hep B doesn’t get as much attention as the other STIs. Like gonorrhea, you can get it from saliva, semen, and any action below the belt. However, you can also get it from toothbrushes, razors, and tattoo equipment, and anything that could involve blood mingling.
The symptoms for Hep B are also difficult to spot. They include feeling tired, not feeling hungry, and having strange-coloured urine or stool. These are all symptoms that would often be dismissed with a casual “Shouldn’t have eaten that taco,” but it’s always important to get the blood test anyway. And if you are Hep B free, get the vaccine. The vaccine is important because there is no cure for Hep B — you would just have to wait until your body fights it off (during which time you may have to remain sex-free).
3. Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
HPV has been getting a lot of attention of late because of the Gardasil vaccine, which has recently been offered to grade 8 girls in Ontario. Buying the vaccine yourself will cost somewhere around $300. However this vaccine is much newer than the Hep B vaccine, and so indivuals considering the vaccine should do their research before taking Gardasil.
So what is HPV? Well, it’s sneaky because it comes in many forms, inside and outside your private parts. On the outside, it could be a simple vaginal wart, which your doctor will freeze off. On the inside, it can cause pre-cancerous cells that can lead to cervical cancer, or even penile and anal cancer. What’s more, you can still spread warts even if none of visible. HPV can be treated, but not cured — and it can lead to permanent changes in your cervix.
Yet many sexually active people will experience some form of HPV in their lifetime. My advice is to look around, have a visit with your privates and your partners. Warts are visible, so keep a lookout!
4. Pubic lice (a.k.a crabs) and Scabies
These ones are the real ball busters. You have probably heard of crabs, whether from South Park, or grade 7 health class. Crabs are tiny red or brown lice that live in your nether regions, and burrow below the skin to lay eggs. Scabies are nets that you can’t see, but which burrow and lay eggs as well, leaving a rash. Both cause itchiness and a rash, and you may actually see the tiny lice or their eggs in your pubes!
These creepy crawlies can be passed on via sexual or non-sexual contact, like sharing a towel or a bed, where they can also live. The good news is that crabs and scabies are completely treatable with creams and shampoos. You may have to dry clean your entire closet, and vacuum the mattress, but for the most part they just sound awful. They are really the lesser of the STIs.
So remember: keep a lookout, get tested, and wrap it up for a safe Valentine’s Day!
