The Red Door - Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

150 Park Street
Kentville, B4N 1M6

Phone / Fax: 679-1411
Mon-Fri 2pm - 6pm

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

In a school-based survey conducted in Nova Scotia, approximately 61% of grade 12 students (ages 17 to 18 years) reported having sexual intercourse in the year prior to the survey. Of those grade 12 students who were sexually active, only 32% always used condoms, and 40% indicated that they had had two or more partners in the past year. A Canada wide survey conducted in 1988 suggested that about 50% of 17-year-olds had had sexual intercourse in the year prior to being interviewed.

Today, there are many types of infections that are spread through sex. These infections are called sexually transmitted diseases or STD. Some are easily cured, but others, if not treated, can have a serious effect on your health. Some infections have no cure, but can be controlled. You should know about sexually transmitted diseases because they can affect your ability to have children later in life. Some can also cause cancer. In Canada, a teenager is nine times more likely to get an STD than an adult aged 30-39.

If you are having sex, or thinking about having sex, you need to know how to avoid Sexually Transmitted Diseases (also called Sexually Transmitted Infections, or STI).

How to know if you have an infection

Some people with an STD have few or no symptoms at all; others have very obvious symptoms. Be aware of any changes in your health, or symptoms such as:

different or heavier discharge from the vagina
discharge from the penis
a burning feeling when urinating (peeing)
sores, particularly in the genital or anal areas
itching feeling around the sex organs or anus
appearance of a rash
swollen glands in the groin.

These symptoms might appear alone, or in combination.

Having a symptom doesn't mean you do have an STD but if you are having sex, you should see a health professional for a check-up.

REAL LIFE:

"We (teens) are young and healthy. We're not likely to get an infection or disease from sex. It can't happen to us."

FACT:

Teens have the greatest chance of getting an STD or becoming pregnant, especially if they have unprotected, unsafe sex.

WHAT ARE MY CHANCES OF CATCHING AN STD?

You have a chance of catching a sexually transmitted disease if:

you have unprotected sex (without using a latex condom or if the condom breaks) with a person who may have an infection
your partner has, or has had, a sexually transmitted infection
you have a new sex partner
your partner has sex with others
you are a user of injection drugs, or your partner is
you share needles for drugs, body piercing or tattoos, or your partner does.

If you have taken chances such as having sex without using a latex condom, please see a doctor or visit a public health clinic, and ask for an STD check-up. Your health is important and so is the health of your partner. Remember that STD may not cause symptoms.

REAL LIFE:

"I'm on the Pill, I can't get an STD."

FACT:

The birth control pill protects against pregnancy, not STD. You owe it to yourself to learn about STD and lower the chances of becoming infected. Use a condom and the pill together to protect you and your partner against an STD and unwanted pregnancy.

The only sure way to avoid a sexually transmitted infection or disease is not to have sex at all.

If you are having sex, remember:

use a latex condom every time--it's the most important thing you can do
ask yourself, how many partners have I had this year? Am I taking a chance?
IT TAKES TWO! The birth control pill prevents pregnancy, and the condom prevents STD.
never share needles for drugs, tattoos or body piercing
consider doing other things with your partner, like kissing, caressing and touching, instead of having intercourse
the riskiest way of having sex in terms of catching an STD is anal sex (for both males and females)
If you think you might have a sexually transmitted disease, please see your doctor or go to a clinic. All the information you give will be kept private.

REAL LIFE:

"It always seems like when we start drinking or smoking pot, we end up having sex. But I don't always want to. And sometimes, I'm so high I forget to use the condom."

FACT:

Remember that alcohol and drug use can affect your ability to make the right decisions for yourself. And sometimes, other people expect you to do things, and it may be hard to say no. Just because you drink or get high doesn't mean you have to have sex. And if you do have sex, you should always be protected.

When in doubt, choose YOU!

HOW DOES STD SPREAD?

STD or sexually transmitted infections can be spread in several ways.

STD is usually spread through sex because the bacteria or viruses travel in semen, vaginal fluids, and blood. Saliva (or spit) can sometimes spread STD if you have a tiny cut in or around your mouth.

Infected blood on needles and syringes can spread STD.

Infected women who are pregnant can pass an STD to their babies during pregnancy and at childbirth.

Except for hepatitis B, there are no vaccinations to prevent STD. If you get an STD once, you can get it again.

And, you can have more than one STD at a time. Many STD are easily treated, but all can be dangerous if ignored.

For some STD, like genital warts, genital herpes or HIV, there is no cure today.

REAL LIFE:

"You can't get an infection or get pregnant the first time you have sex or if the guy doesn't 'come' inside the woman."

FACT:

Yes, you can. And sex doesn't have to be full intercourse: you can catch an STD just by having really close genital contact with an infected partner. Infection can be spread by body fluids or by oral sex. Protect yourself and your partner by using a latex condom for any kind of sexual activity.

Government resources: