What are STIs?
STIs are infections that are transmitted through sexual contact with someone who has an STI.
There are many STIs. Some STIs are caused by bacteria, others are caused by a virus or parasite. 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 health service_W_ (GGD) for treatment.
STIs caused by bacteria
Some STIs are caused by bacteria. They are easy to treat with antibiotics:
- chlamydia;
- gonorrhoea;
- syphilis.
STIs caused by a virus
Other STIs are caused by a virus. They are often treatable too:
- hepatitis B;
- hepatitis C;
- herpes;
- HIV;
- HPV;
- genital warts.
STIs caused by a parasite
Some STIs are caused by a parasite. These STIs are transmitted through sexual contact or simply intimate skin contact.
- scabies;
- trichomoniasis; and
- pubic lice.
Protection against STIs
A condom protects you and your partner against HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhoea. It reduces the risk of infection with other STIs. It does not always fully cover the sores, blisters or warts on your skin or your partner’s skin. This means that you still run a risk of infection 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 vagina and has similar symptoms to an STI. It is not an STI. You often do not get the infection through sex.