There are many different STIs. The following is a brief description of the most common ones. Click on the links below for more detailed information.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed STI in Aotearoa New Zealand. It affects all genders. Most people who have chlamydia don't show any symptoms – but they can still infect other people. Chlamydia can be easily treated with antibiotics. Left untreated, chlamydia can cause infertility.
Read more about chlamydia.
Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is very common. Up to 50% of women and 90% of men who have gonorrhoea don't experience any symptoms and don't know they're infected. It's possible to have a gonorrhoea infection in your urethra (where you pee), rectum (bottom), female reproductive tract (vulva/vagina), mouth, throat or eyes.
For women, gonorrhoea can cause:
- pain or a burning sensation when urinating (peeing)
- a vaginal discharge (often watery, yellow or green)
- pain in your lower abdomen (tummy)
- pain during or after sex
- bleeding between periods
- heavier periods
- bleeding after sex.
For men, gonorrhoea can cause:
- pain or a burning sensation when urinating (peeing)
- a white, yellow or green discharge from the tip of your penis
- pain or tenderness in your testicles.
Read more about gonorrhoea.
Syphilis
Syphilis enters your body through tiny breaks in your skin, mainly in your genital area or mouth. Many people don't get any symptoms and wouldn't know they had syphilis without having a blood test. Treatment is normally with injections of an antibiotic called benzathine penicillin. If left untreated, the syphilis bacteria eventually causes damage to your internal organs. People without symptoms can still develop these problems later if their syphilis is not treated.
Read more about syphilis.
Trichomoniasis
Anyone can get trichomoniasis, but it is more common in people with a vulva/vagina.
If you have a vulva/vagina, the infection can cause a frothy yellow or watery vaginal discharge that has an unpleasant smell, soreness or itching around your vulva, and pain when passing urine (peeing).
If you have a penis, trichomoniasis rarely causes symptoms. You may experience pain or burning after passing urine (peeing), a whitish discharge, or an inflamed foreskin.
Read more about trichomoniasis.
Urethritis
Urethritis is an inflammation of the urethra (the tube you pee from) in a person with a penis. There are many different causes of urethritis and they are not always related to sexual contact. Urethritis is usually caused by chlamydia or gonorrhoea, but occasionally it can be caused by Mycoplasma genitalium, trichomonas, herpes simplex virus or by bacteria commonly found in the throat or rectum. The symptoms of urethritis are pain on urination, irritation, discomfort or discharge.
Read more about urethritis.
Mpox
Mpox is caused by monkeypox virus. It's called ‘monkeypox’ because it was first found in monkeys. Most people recover fully without treatment but in some cases, people can get seriously ill. Mpox does not spread easily between people. The virus is spread by close contact with the lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets of a person with Mpox. The symptoms of Mpox are a flu -like illness and a characteristic rash generally appears after a few days. It usually starts on the face and then spreads to other parts of the body. It may also appear on the palms of hands and soles of the feet, inside the mouth, or on the genitals. Mpox is usually a self-limiting illness (which means it will get better by itself) with symptoms lasting 2 to 4 weeks.
Read more about Mpox.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) and genital warts
Genital warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). They appear as small fleshy growths, bumps or skin changes, on or around your genital or anal area. The warts are usually painless, but you may notice some itching or redness. Sometimes, they can cause bleeding. You don't need to have penetrative sex to pass the infection on because HPV is spread by skin-to-skin contact. Several treatments are available for genital warts, including creams and freezing the warts (cryotherapy). Most HPV is subclinical which means you may ne get any symptoms and often your body's immune response will clear the virus without any treatment being needed.
There is now a vaccine available that protects against HPV including the types that cause genital warts. It's recommended to be given at age 11 to 12 years but is free in Aotearoa New Zealand for anyone from 9 to 26 years of age.
Some types of HPV (not the ones that cause warts) can also lead to changes on your cervix, throat and rectum which may (if left undetected) eventually turn into cancer.
Read more about human papilloma virus (HPV), HPV vaccine and genital warts.
Genital herpes
Genital herpes is a common skin infection caused by a virus known as the herpes simplex virus (HSV).The symptoms of genital herpes are similar to cold sores found on your mouth, except they appear on your genital skin. Small, painful blisters or sores usually develop, which may cause itching or tingling, or make it painful to urinate (pee). In the first episode the lesions may last up to 3 weeks (in severe cases) but if it recurs the lesions usually take 3 to 7 days to heal. After you've contracted genital herpes, the virus can remain dormant (inactive) and certain triggers can reactivate the virus, causing the blisters to develop.
Most people with genital herpes don’t have any symptoms. You are most likely to pass on the virus when you are symptomatic (have symptoms) and sexual contact should be avoided during this time. Occasionally the virus can be passed on by people with no symptoms. Genital herpes can't be cured;, but symptoms can be managed very effectively with antiviral medicines.
Read more about genital herpes.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that causes inflammation of your liver. Some people don't have any symptoms, but others can have symptoms such as:
- feeling sick or vomiting
- lack of appetite
- flu-like symptoms (such as tiredness, general aches and pains or headaches)
- abdominal (tummy) pain
- clay-coloured bowel motions and/or dark-coloured urine
- yellowing of your skin and eyes (known as jaundice).
One of the most effective ways to avoid getting hepatitis B is to get immunised with the hepatitis B vaccine. Read more about hepatitis B.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
HIV is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus which causes damage to your body's immune system and impairs your ability to fight disease-causing organisms. HIV is most commonly passed on through unprotected sex. Without treatment, some people with HIV may develop the potentially life-threatening condition known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). There's no cure for HIV, but there are treatments that allow most people to live a long and otherwise healthy life. There are also preventative measures available such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of contracting HIV.
Read more about HIV.
Pubic lice
Pubic lice, also called crabs, are usually found in pubic hair but can live in your underarm hair, body hair, beards and sometimes eyebrows or eyelashes. They are easily passed to others through close genital contact. The lice crawl from hair to hair but don't jump or fly from person to person. It may take several weeks for you to notice any symptoms. Most people experience itching, and you may notice the lice or eggs on your hairs. Pubic lice are treated with special creams, lotions or shampoos available from your pharmacy or your healthcare provider. You don't need to shave off your pubic hair or body hair.
Read more about pubic lice.
Molluscum contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is a skin infection caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus (a pox virus). It causes small firm skin-coloured bumps (lesions) with waxy white centres that can appear anywhere on your body but are common on the genitals (groin area), thighs or lower tummy. They can be confused with genital warts or pimples. It usually affects children, sexually active adults and people with a suppressed immune system. Because of their appearance they can be confused with genital warts or pimples. The bumps don’t usually cause pain, but they can sometimes be itchy. They usually appear within about 2 to 3 months after you become infected. Without any treatment they can stay there for 6 months to 2 years. For most people they will clear up within a year (without treatment).
Read more about molluscum contagiosum.
