Sex is known to have many positive impacts on your health such as improved immune functioning, lower blood pressure, a good pain reliever, reduced stress and improved sleep. However, without proper precaution measures, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can negatively affect your body's health and cause long-lasting and sometimes devastating effects. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, reported rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis have been increasing since the 1990s. The most foolproof way to prevent infection is not to have sex, however having open conversations with your partner and using condoms is the next best way to prevent infections from spreading. The Interrobang listed some common types of infections and how to get treated if you do suspect you are infected. Fanshawe's Health Unit is on hand at the sexual awareness fair (September 14 from 10am - 2pm) for information and will offer testing at a later date as wlel on campus.

Chlamydia

According to a Public Health Agency of Canada article, “Sexually Transmitted Infections—A Continued Public Health Concern”, chlamydia is the most commonly reported bacterial STI in Canada that is often asymptomatic which leads to a lot people unknowingly spreading the disease. Symptoms: Chlamydia often has no noticeable symptoms. If and when symptoms do arise, it is usually several weeks after a person is infected. Symptoms include abnormal vaginal or penile discharge, burning sensation while urinating, rectal pain, bleeding and discharge. Treatment: Chlamydia is curable usually with oral antibiotics and can clear up within one to two weeks. You should then get tested three months later in order to confi rm the infection has been cured. If left untreated: For women, chlamydia can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes which can cause pelvic infl ammatory disease which can eventually lead to the inability to get pregnant. It is likely for men to suffer health problems due to chlamydia; however, it is possible for the infection to spread up the epididymis.

Gonorrhea

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada's “Sexually Transmitted Infections—A Continued Public Health Concern” article, gonorrhea is the second most commonly reported STI in Canada that can lead to serious complications if left untreated. It is most common among women between the ages of 15 and 19. Symptoms: For both men and women some may not experience any symptoms at all. However, symptoms can include a burning sensation when urinating, increased vaginal discharge or green/ white/yellow penile discharge. Men can experience painful or swollen testicles and females can experience vaginal bleeding between periods. Treatment: Gonorrhea is curable, however it is now becoming resistant to certain antibiotics and drugs. Therefore, if you do not notice improvement within a few days you should go back to your health provider. If left untreated: Women can develop pelvic infl ammatory disease that can lead to formation of scar tissue that blocks the fallopian tubes, infertility and long-term abdominal pain. Men can develop a condition in the epididymis that can lead to sterility.

Syphilis

According to an article “What is Syphilis” by WebMD, syphilis is a highly contagious infection that can be spread through sexual activity and contact with bodily sores. Symptoms: In the primary stage, people will see sores usually in the area that the infection was contracted. Sores are usually fi rm, round and painless which can lead to them going unnoticed. In the secondary stage, people experience rashes and sores in areas of the mouth, vagina or anus. In the latent stage people may not experience any symptoms. Treatment: Syphilis can be cured with antibiotics prescribed by a health provider, however it cannot reverse the damage already caused by the infection. If left untreated: If the infection progresses into the tertiary stage, it can damage many of the body's organ system which can eventually lead to death.

HIV/AIDS

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada's “Sexually Transmitted Infections—A Continued Public Health Concern”, article, the human immunodefi ciency virus (HIV) attacks the immune system so that the body is more susceptible to contracting other infections and chronic diseases. Symptoms: In stage one (two to four weeks after being infected) fl u-like symptoms can occur, stage two is often asymptomatic (symptoms are hard to spot, though the disease may be present) and stage three (AIDS) a person is likely to contract increasing numbers of severe illnesses due to the body's suppressed immune system. Treatment: There is no cure for HIV, however if identifi ed early it can be treated with proper medical care and prescribed drugs that help to keep a person healthy and reduce the risk of infecting others. If left treated: HIV will progress to AIDs which has an approximately three year survival rate. However, if you catch it early, a person with HIV can live just as long as a person with out it.

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

According to an article by WebMD “Your guide to UTIs”, UTIs are most common in women and occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract and cause an infection. For this reason, it is important for women to wipe from front to back and urinate after sex. Symptoms: Pain or burning sensation when urinating, urgency to urinate frequently, cloudy/bad smelling/bloody urine, abdominal pain, fever, nausea and vomiting. Treatment: UTIs are curable and antibiotics are prescribed by a healthcare provider. If left untreated: UTIs can cause permanent scarring of the urinary tract and infection can spread to the bloodstream.

Yeast infection

According to an article by WebMD “Vaginal Yeast InfectionsTopic Overview”, yeast infections occur when the vagina's yeast count increases which can cause itching, soreness and irritation. Symptoms: Itching and soreness of the vagina, pain or burning sensation when urinating or having sex, and white “cottage cheese” like discharge from the vagina. Treatment: Yeast infections are curable and antifungal medicine in the form of tablets, suppositories or creams are prescribed by a healthcare provider. If left untreated: Yeast infections generally resolve on their own, however taking prescribed medication is recommended to speed up the process and reduce irritation.