Sexual Health >> Common STIs and their symptoms
Common STIs and their symptoms
A quick guide to STIs in Australia, including symptoms, testing, and treatment options.
Antonio remembers the first time a GP mentioned STI testing: “I thought only sex without a condom was risky. Turns out, STIs can spread in more ways than I realised.”
Sexual contact includes:
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Kissing
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Touching or rubbing genitals
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Oral sex (mouth on genitals)
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Intercourse (penis in vagina or bum)
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Sharing sex toys
Here's a quick guide to STIs in Australia:
Chlamydia
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One of the most common STIs.
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Often has no symptoms at all.
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If symptoms appear: pain when peeing, discharge, pelvic pain.
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Easy to test and treat with antibiotics.
Untreated, it can cause fertility problems.
Gonorrhoea
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Can infect the genitals, throat, or rectum.
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May cause pain when peeing or unusual discharge—but many people have no symptoms.
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Treatable with antibiotics, but resistance is increasing.
HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
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Super common virus spread through skin-to-skin contact.
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Some strains → genital warts.
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Other strains → linked to cervical and other cancers.
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Most people never know they have it.
💉 Students under 26 can get the HPV vaccine free. Book here: melbourne.book.vitavo.com.au/login
Genital Herpes
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Caused by the herpes simplex virus.
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Symptoms: painful blisters/sores around mouth or genitals.
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About 1 in 8 Australians has it.
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No cure, but antiviral meds can help manage outbreaks.
Trichomoniasis
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Caused by a small parasite.
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Symptoms: itching, irritation, or discharge (more common in people with a vagina).
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Many people have no symptoms.
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Easy to treat with medication.
Syphilis
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Starts with a painless sore.
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Can later cause rashes or serious health problems if untreated.
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Increasing among some groups (e.g. men who have sex with men).
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Curable with antibiotics—early testing is key.
Mycoplasma Genitalium (MGen)
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Caused by slow-growing bacteria.
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Can infect urethra, cervix, or rectum.
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Often no symptoms—but linked to fertility issues and higher HIV risk.
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Needs special testing (not picked up in standard STI screens).
HIV
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Attacks the immune system.
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Spread via blood or sexual fluids.
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Early symptoms = flu-like (fever, sore throat, rash, swollen glands).
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Without treatment → can progress to AIDS.
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No cure, but people living with HIV can expect to live as long as people without HIV if fully adherent to their treatment.
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Testing is private, confidential, and often free.
Li shares:
There's so much stigma about HIV, but treatment today means people can live long, healthy lives.
Hepatitis B
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Virus that affects the liver.
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Spread via blood, semen, or vaginal fluids.
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Many people don't get symptoms, but some feel very sick (fever, yellow skin, dark pee).
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No cure, but long-term infections can be managed with medication.
💡 Testing & treatment usually covered by OSHC.
Mpox (Monkeypox)
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Viral illness spread through close contact (skin, rash fluid, towels, face-to-face).
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Symptoms: fever, swollen glands, then a rash (on face, hands, genitals, or inside mouth).
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Anyone can get it, not just one community.
💉 A vaccine is available at sexual health clinics.
✨ Antonio's Tip:
Don't wait for symptoms—most STIs show nothing at all. Testing is quick, private, and usually covered under OSHC if your GP orders it.
