Sexually transmitted infections
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are contagious diseases caused by bacteria or viruses that are contracted through unprotected sexual contact.
You cannot determine an infection based on solely symptoms or the lack of symptoms, since some STIs do not cause any symptoms. You should always get tested after unprotected sex. It is vital that STIs are treated, since untreated infections involve various risks.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a common STI caused by bacteria. You can contract chlamydia through unprotected sexual contact, meaning vaginal or anal intercourse or oral sex without a condom. It is contagious regardless of gender.
Symptoms
In most cases, chlamydia does not involve any symptoms. This is why you cannot determine an infection based on symptoms. The only way of finding out if you have chlamydia is getting tested. However, chlamydia may also involve symptoms, such as pain while urinating or an increased need to urinate. It is important that chlamydia is treated, since it may cause infertility if left untreated.
Treatment
A potential chlamydia infection is usually determined from a urine sample. The sample can also be taken with a cotton swab from the uterine orifice or urethra, or the throat or anus, if necessary. Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics. After the treatment, it is important to take a new sample to ensure that the infection has been treated.
Testing, treatment and medication are provided free of charge by public health care services. Your sexual partner also needs to be treated, even if they do not show symptoms.
HPV and condylomas
HPV, the human papillomavirus, is the most common virus spreading via sex. There are about 200 HPV variants that can be contracted via sex. Some of these virus types cause condylomas, genital warts. Other types of papillomavirus may cause changes in the mucous membranes of genitals.
You can contract condylomas through unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse or oral sex without a condom. It may also spread via hands if a person touches an infected area with their hand and then immediately touches the genitals of the other person.
Symptoms
Condylomas are warts most commonly appearing in the genital area. Sometimes, condylomas only appear as uneven surface on the mucous membranes or skin.Condylomas may itch, but usually they do not involve any symptoms. A small percentage of the changes to mucous membranes caused by HPV may make you susceptible to cancer. However, the warts caused by HPV are not yet indicative of cancer.
Treatment
Smaller condylomas can be treated with medical lotions or liquids. If a wart is very large, it can be treated with laser or freezing. These treatment methods do not remove the virus, but they help the skin and mucous membranes heal faster. Most people contract HPV at some point in their life, but the virus disappears from their system on its own.
See the testing premises for STIs under ‘Where to get tested?’.
Herpes
Herpes causes a blistered inflammation. The first symptoms of herpes appear about two weeks from the infection. Genital herpes usually shows up as blisters, sores, pain and reddening in the genital area.
The viral infection remains in the body, which is why herpes may show symptoms years after the infection. In this case, the symptoms are often milder. For some people, the inflammation never reappears.
Treatment
Herpes cannot be tested for in advance; only after the blisters have appeared. The test is taken directly from a fresh blister with a cotton swab.
The herpes virus remains in the body, and there is no cure available for it. The symptoms can be alleviated and the blisters can be prevented with medication. Sores should be kept clean so that they do not become inflamed. Repeating herpes can be prevented through long-term preventive medication.
Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection.You can contract it through unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse or oral sex without a condom. If left untreated, gonorrhoea may cause infertility.
Symptoms
Gonorrhoea is usually symptomless. This is why you cannot determine an infection based on symptoms or the lack of symptoms. The only way of finding out if you have gonorrhoea is getting tested for STIs.
Treatment
Gonorrhoea is usually tested from urine. The infection is treated with antibiotics. The sample can also be taken with a cotton swab from the urethra, uterine orifice, throat or anus. Testing, treatment and medication are provided free of charge by public health care services.
Hepatitis B and C
Hepatitis B and C viruses cause an infection in the liver. You can contract either type of hepatitis through unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse or oral sex without a condom. Both types of hepatitis may also be contracted via blood, through contaminated needles, for example. Both viruses make the infected person susceptible to liver cancer.
Symptoms
Cases with mild symptoms or no symptoms are common. You cannot determine an infection based on symptoms or the lack of symptoms.
Treatment
Both types of hepatitis are tested from a blood sample. There is no effective treatment for the hepatitis B virus, but the symptoms of the disease can be alleviated with medication. However, while most of those who contract hepatitis B recover by themselves, some remain carriers and transmitters of the virus. For hepatitis C, there is medication available, but it may not work in every case.
There is a vaccine available for hepatitis B that provides good protection for uninfected people. There is no vaccine against hepatitis C.
Syphilis
Syphilis is a rare STI in Finland, but cases of it have increased in recent years.You can contract it through unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse or oral sex without a condom.
Symptoms
Untreated syphilis involves various stages, and some stages involve various symptoms. The symptomless stages may last years. This is why you cannot determine an infection based on symptoms or the lack of symptoms. The only way of finding out if you have an infection is getting tested. If left untreated, syphilis may lead to dangerous widespread inflammation.
Treatment
Syphilis is tested from blood once two months have passed from the potentially risky situation. If treatment is begun early, it always works. There is effective medication available for syphilis. It is administered via injections. Testing, treatment and medication are provided free of charge by public health care services.
HIV
The human immunodeficiency virus, HIV, causes a slowly progressing infection in the body. The infected person slowly becomes vulnerable to various illnesses. You can contract HIV through unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse or oral sex without a condom. It can also be contracted via blood on contaminated syringes, for example.
These days, you can live a normal life even if you have an HIV infection. In most cases where the infection is treated, HIV never advances to the immunodeficiency stage, AIDS. Thanks to medication, people in Finland die of HIV very rarely.
Symptoms
After contracting HIV, a person may be symptomless or have only mild symptoms for years. The only way of finding out if you have an infection is getting tested.
Treatment
An HIV infection is determined from a blood sample. The tests are completely certain after three months from the potentially risky situation. The tests are confidential, and the results are only shared with the patient being tested. Treatment, follow-ups and medication for HIV are free of charge. An HIV infection cannot be cured, but medication can stop the virus from functioning in the body or slow down its multiplication.
Hivpoint offers up-to-date information about HIV and living with it.
Where to get tested?
Sexually transmitted infections are examined and treated primarily at health stations and the Venereal Diseases Outpatient Clinic of HUS Skin and Allergy Hospital. If you are suspecting a sexually transmitted infection or want to get tested, please contact your local health station or the student health care services of your school. You should always get tested after unprotected sex, since some STIs may be symptomless.