Chlamydia

is a very common bacterial STI - and one of the more serious. It can spread silently in females and cause a painful, long-term condition called PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) and infertility (the inability to have children). Pregnant women can pass this infection on to their babies at birth, who can then get infections of their eyes or lungs. You can get Chlamydia from oral, vaginal or anal sex.









Symptoms

Females:
  • a new or different discharge from the vagina
  • a burning feeling when urinating
  • pain in the lower abdomen, sometimes with fever and chills
  • pain during sex
  • vaginal bleeding between periods
  • vaginal bleeding after intercourse


Males:
  • a watery or milky drip from the penis
  • an itchy feeling inside the penis
  • a burning feeling when urinating
  • pain or swelling in the testicles


Treatment
  • Chlamydia can often be treated with just one dose of antibiotics taken by mouth. But you can get it again right away from your partner if he/she isn't treated as well.
  • You must get a prescription for the right antibiotic from your doctor. Don't borrow medicine from your friends, and you cannot buy the medicine on the street.








Gonorrhea

Is a common STI which, if not treated early, can cause serious health problems, especially for women. Gonorrhea in women left untreated could lead to a painful, long-term condition called PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) and infertility (the inability to have children).A pregnant woman can pass gonorrhea to her baby during birth, and cause a serious eye infection or blindness. You can get gonorrhea from oral, vaginal and anal sex.








Symptoms

Females:
  • new or different discharge from the vagina
  • a burning feeling when urinating
  • pain in the lower abdomen
  • fever and chills
  • pain during sex
  • vaginal bleeding between periods
  • vaginal bleeding after intercourse
  • possible rectal pain
  • rectal discharge
Males:
  • discharge from the penis, may be thick and yellow-green in colour
  • burning feeling when urinating
  • pain or swelling in the testicles
  • possible rectal pain
  • rectal discharge
Treatment
  • Gonorrhea can often be treated with one dose of antibiotics taken by mouth and can be cured.
  • Like Chlamydia you can get it again right away from your partner if he/she isn't treated as well.
  • See a doctor or go to a clinic and, if you have gonorrhea, tell your partner.





References

Public Health Agency of Canada ( 2005). Types of STI’s. Retrieved on March
2nd, 2006 from http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/std-mts/sti_f.html
Images from: No authour (2006). Sexually transmitted Diseases. Retrieved on April 10th,
2006 from http://www.sexually-transmitted-diseases.info/





[Sexually Transmitted Infections] [Prevention of STI's] [Statistics on STI's]
[Barriers to Sexual Education] [Chronic Health Challenges and Sexuality]
[What is HIV?] [Prevention of HIV] [Common HIV Myths]
[Helpful Links]
[Home Page]



MAIN


Created by: Cathryn Maddison