Viral STIs
Viruses are microscopic organisms, smaller than bacteria. They can only reproduce inside the cells of another organism. They invade the cells and cause disease.
Through unprotected oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
Infected mothers can infect their baby during birth.
There are many different types of HPV.
Some cause cancer.
Some cause genital warts—cauliflower-like bumps.
OR
No symptoms.
Visual exam
PAP test
No cure—virus stays in body.
Manage symptoms with medication.
Most genital warts go away on their own.
Vaccines prevent the most common types of HPV.
- Distress
- Increases your risk to get other STIs if exposed to them
- Cancer
- Get the vaccine (available for free to all Grade 6 girls in Nunavut)
- Use a condom and/or dental dam every time you have oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
- Get tested at your health centre once you become sexually active, and every 5 years if the test is negative and you’re over age 21.
Through unprotected oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
Infected mothers can infect their baby during birth.
- Blisters (small fluid-filled sores)
- Burning sensation when peeing
- Itchiness
OR
No symptoms
Swab or blood
No cure (virus stays in body).
Manage symptoms with medication.
- Brain damage and blindness in babies born to infected mothers
- Increases your risk to get other STIs if exposed to them
- Use a condom and/or dental dam every time you have oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
- Get tested at your local health centre.
Through unprotected oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
Infected mothers can infect their baby during birth.
- Flu-like (fever, tired, body aches, stomach pain, nausea)
- Jaundice (yellow skin)
OR
No symptoms
Blood
No cure (virus stays in body).
Prevent with vaccine.
- Liver damage
- Cancer
- Death
- Get the vaccine (given to all babies in Nunavut)
- Use a condom and/or dental dam every time you have oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
- Get tested at your local health centre.
Through unprotected oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
Passed through breast milk and blood.
Infected mothers can infect their baby during birth.
Symptoms may take years to show.
HIV:
- Weight loss
- Tired
- Fever
HIV causes AIDS—the immune system becomes very weak and cannot fight off infections.
Blood
No cure (virus stays in body).
Some treatment available.
- Weakened immune system
- More infections
- Death
- Use a condom and/or dental dam every time you have oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
- Get tested at your local health centre at least once a year if you’re sexually active under age 30
- Get tested at your local health centre every 3-6 months if you or your sexual partners have more than one partner.