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Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Sexually transmitted infections (STI)
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is one of the most common STIs in Australia. Find out how you can help avoid it and when to get tested.
Genital herpes
Genital herpes is spread by skin-to-skin contact – even through kissing or foreplay. There are things you can do to control it, learn more here.
Genital warts
Genital warts are an STI that causes bumps that appear on areas such as the vagina, penis, anus and scrotum. Learn about treatments and prevention opt...
Gonorrhoea (the clap)
Also known as 'the clap', gonorrhoea often has no symptoms. Learn how to spot symptoms, maintain and how gonorrhoea is treated.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B can lead to liver damage over time. If it turns out you have hepatitis B, it is important to protect others from infection. Find out how.
HIV infection and AIDS
Today, people with HIV are unlikely to develop AIDS if they get effective treatment. Here’s what to do if you think you might have been exposed.
Safe sex
By practicing safe sex, you will prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infection (STIs) and minimise the risk of unplanned pregnancy.
Syphilis
Syphilis is relatively rare in Australia. It can cause serious health problems if left untreated. However, syphilis is easy to cure if found early.
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Top results
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections or diseases that are passed on during unprotected sex with an infected partner. This includes vaginal, anal or oral sex.
Read more on WA Health website
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) | myVMC
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a group of bacteria and viruses which can be, and most commonly are, transmitted through sexual contact.
Read more on myVMC – Virtual Medical Centre website
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) - myDr.com.au
Sexually transmitted infections have become more common in Australia in recent years.Its possible for anyone who is sexually active to get an STI, but there are ways you can reduce your r
Read more on myDr website
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) | Your Fertility
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common
Read more on Your Fertility website
Protecting against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) | myVMC
Protecting against sexually transmitted infections (STI): Preventing STIs is much better than treating them, because when diseases are prevented people do not get sick and do not need to access health services which are expensive to provide.
Read more on myVMC – Virtual Medical Centre website
Sexually transmitted infections
Sexually transmitted infections are infections or diseases that are passed on during unprotected sex with an infected partner.
Read more on WA Health website
Gonorrhoea (sexually transmitted infection) video | myVMC
Gonorrhoea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI or STD). Find out about gonorrhoea symptoms and gonorrhoea treatments in this video.
Read more on myVMC – Virtual Medical Centre website
Sexually transmitted infections - Lab Tests Online AU
There are more than 20 known sexually transmitted infections/diseases (STIs/STDs). Sometimes these cause symptoms, often in or around the genitals, and this should prompt a visit to the doctor immediately.
Read more on Lab Tests Online website
Scabies (sexually transmitted infection)
Scabies is a highly contagious skin infection caused by tiny mites that burrow into your skin. The condition can be transferred through sexual activity.
Read more on WA Health website
STIs and pregnancy
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), if left untreated, can cause serious problems for both mother and child.
Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website
Top results
Topical microbicides for prevention of sexually transmitted infections | Cochrane
Microbicide research has had disappointing outcomes during the last two decades as most microbicides have not shown evidence that they can prevent acquisition of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, a recent small preliminary study suggests that microbicides containing the antiretroviral drug tenofovir may prevent acquisition of HIV and herpes simplex virus infection in women; but further research is needed to assess the generalisability of these findings. Therefore, there is not enough evidence to recommend topical microbicides for HIV or STI prevention at present.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Nonoxynol-9 for preventing vaginal acquisition of sexually transmitted infections by women from men | Cochrane
There is good evidence that nonoxynol-9 does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STI), and there is some evidence that it may be harmful by increasing the rate of genital ulceration. As such, this product cannot be recommended for STI prevention.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Structured treatment interruptions (STI) in chronic suppressed HIV infection in adults | Cochrane
Structured treatment interruptions (STI) of antiretroviral therapy (ART) have been studied as an alternative strategy in the management of HIV-infected patients. STI involve planned, pre-specified cyclical interruptions in ART with an aim to alleviate treatment fatigue, provide possible immunological benefit, reduce drug toxicities and decrease costs of care. This systematic review aims to synthesize the evidence for use of STI as an alternative strategy in the management of chronic suppressed HIV infection. STI is a planned, experimental intervention, and the evidence from 33 available intervention trials has been summarized. Currently, several large STI trials are underway, investigating long-term effects of STI strategies. Their results will be available in a few years. Based on the studies we reviewed, we find that there is insufficient evidence to support the use of STI as a standard of care in the management of chronic suppressed HIV infection.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Programs for preventing pregnancy and disease through better condom use | Cochrane
Unprotected sex can result in disease and death in many areas of the world, due to sexually transmitted infections (STI) including HIV. The male condom is one of the oldest birth control methods and the earliest method that works to prevent HIV. When used correctly, condoms can provide dual protection against pregnancy and HIV/STI. We examined behavioral programs to improve condom use.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Structured treatment interruptions (STI) in chronic unsuppressed HIV infection in adults | Cochrane
Structured treatment interruptions (STI) of antiretroviral therapy (ART) have been under investigation as an alternative strategy in the management of chronic HIV infection since 1999. The investigation of treatment interruptions (also called "drug holidays") was initially driven by patients seeking to alleviate treatment fatigue, reduce drug-related toxicities, and improve quality of life. In patients whose ART treatment fails, treatment interruption has been implemented in order to halt progression of HIV drug resistance on the failing regimen, thereby preserving subsequent treatment options. In patients with multi-drug resistance, some early studies suggested that ART interruption could improve subsequent response to ART. More recently, STI has been proposed as a means of reducing the cost of HIV treatment in resource-limited settings.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Population-based interventions for reducing HIV infection | Cochrane
Community- or population-based sexually transmitted infection control does not appear to be an effective HIV prevention strategy in most settings. In the early 1990s, improved STI treatment services were shown to reduce HIV incidence in northern Tanzania, in an environment characterised by an emerging HIV epidemic, where STI treatment services were poor and where STIs were highly prevalent. Subsequent trials, however, failed to confirm these findings and also failed to show a substantial benefit for community-wide presumptive treatment for STIs. This is likely due to the endemic nature of HIV and relatively low incidence of STIs in these populations. There are, however, other good reasons as to why STI treatment services should be strengthened and the available evidence suggests that when an intervention is applied and accepted in a community, it can improve the quality of services provided. The trial in Masaka District, Uganda showed an increase in the use of condoms, a marker for less risky sexual behaviours, although a newer study by Gregson conducted in Zimbabwe suggested no effect. With the last three trials having shown disappointing results with respect to HIV prevention, it is unlikely that further community trials will be conducted, let alone yield different results. Future trials of biomedical interventions that involve individual randomisation, however, may represent an opportunity to reexamine presumptive treatment of STIs. Such trials should also aim to measure a range of factors that include health-seeking behaviour and quality of treatment, as well as HIV, STI and other biological endpoints.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Interventions for educating traditional healers about STD and HIV medicine | Cochrane
There is a strong argument for the importance of collaborating with traditional healers in the management of STIs such as HIV/AIDS. Political and health care systems have failed adequately to cope with the pandemic, and engaging every available resource is therefore crucial. One such potential resource is treatment by traditional healers. Certain traditional healer practices, however, could contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS. Training and educational programmes have been developed as a possible way to improve traditional healer practices.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Updating the management of sexually transmitted infections | Issue 6 | Volume 38 | Australian Prescriber
The control of sexually transmitted infections relies on case-finding and treatment of sexual contacts to prevent further transmission. Screening for...
Read more on Australian Prescriber website
Using condoms consistently reduces sexual transmission of HIV infection | Cochrane
Sexual intercourse and contact with contaminated blood products (e.g., intravenous drug use) account for the majority of HIV infections. The wearing of condoms during sexual intercourse has been promoted to reduce the infection and spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HIV. The review of studies found that condoms, when used consistently, substantially reduced HIV infection but did not totally eliminate the risk of infection.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Home-based specimen collection in the management of chlamydia and gonorrhoea infections | Cochrane
Review question: Cochrane authors reviewed evidence about the effects of self-collected specimens at home compared with specimens collected at clinic on the clinical management of chlamydia and gonorrhoea infections.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
