What are STIs?
STIs are infections that are transmitted through sexual contact with someone who has an STISTISTI means sexually transmitted infection: an infection that is usually only transmitted by…Read more.
There are many STIs. Some STIs are caused by bacteria, others are caused by a virusVirusVery small particle that can invade the body. It multiplies easily in the…Read more or parasiteParasiteVery tiny animal that lives in a person's body, feeds on it and…Read more. The symptoms or the ways in which they are tested or treated are also different.
STIs usually do not go away spontaneously. Go to a your general practitioner or _W_municipal public healthHealthFeeling physically, mentally and socially well in your environment. Health is more than…Read more service_W_ (GGD) for treatmentTreatmentCare and/or follow-up by a professionally trained person. Treatment can be given with…Read more.
STIs caused by bacteria
Some STIs are caused by bacteria. They are easy to treat with antibiotics:
- chlamydiaChlamydiaCommon infection caused by bacteria. Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and is…Read more;
- gonorrhoeaGonorrhoeaInfection of the urethra (men) or vagina (women). The most common symptom of…Read more;
- syphilisSyphilisInfection caused by bacteria. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). First, a…Read more.
STIs caused by a virus
Other STIs are caused by a virus. They are often treatable too:
- hepatitis BHepatitis BInfection of the liver caused by a virus. A vaccination can prevent hepatitis…Read more;
- hepatitis CHepatitis CInfection of the liver caused by a virus. Hepatitis C is transmitted by…Read more;
- herpesHerpesInfection caused by a virus. The symptoms of herpes are blisters on or…Read more;
- HIVHIVA virus (human immunodeficiency virus) that affects the natural immune system. When someone…Read more;
- HPVHPVA virus (human papilloma virus). Some types of HPV cause genital warts, cervical…Read more;
- genital wartsGenital wartsWarts or lumps on or around the sexual organs or the anus. Genital…Read more.
STIs caused by a parasite
Some STIs are caused by a parasite. These STIs are transmitted through sexual contact or simply intimate skin contact.
- scabiesScabiesAn infection of the skin caused by very tiny animals (mites). Scabies causes…Read more;
- trichomoniasisTrichomoniasisSexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a parasite (very tiny animal). Trichomoniasis often…Read more; and
- pubic licePubic liceParasites (very tiny animals) in the pubic hair. Pubic lice suck blood. They…Read more.
Protection against STIs
A condom protects you and your partner against HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhoea. It reduces the riskRiskPossibility that something unpleasant may happen, for example a disease.Read more of infection with other STIs. It does not always fully cover the sores, blisters or warts on your skin or your partnerPartnerPerson you are in a relationship with.Read more’s skin. This means that you still run a risk of infectionInfectionInfection occurs when a germ enters the body and causes damage. A germ…Read more with an STI. Vaccines can also protect against certain STIs. For instance, hepatitis B.
Condom
STI treatment
Most STIs can be treated. They can be cured or their symptoms can disappear. STIs can seriously damage your health if they are not treated. You can also infect other people.
How to recognise an STI
STIs often have no clear symptoms. You cannot always see whether you have an STI. Go to your general practitioner, municipal public health service (GGD) or the health centre at the asylum seekers’ centre if you think you might have an STI. They can test you.
Vaginal infections
A vaginal infection is an infection of the vaginaVaginaPart of the inner sexual organs of a woman. The vagina connects the…Read more and has similar symptoms to an STI. It is not an STI. You often do not get the infection through sexSexAll acts that can sexually arouse you. Sex is more than sexual intercourse.…Read more.