Many people do not experience any symptoms if they have chlamydia. However, if present, symptoms include:

• Pain while urinating
• Unusual discharge from penis, vagina or anus
• Pain in lower stomach/abdomen
• Irritation or soreness around the tip of the penis
• Unusual spotting or bleeding between periods

• The most effective way to prevent chlamydia is to practice safe sex
• Always use condoms and water-based lubricant during vaginal and anal sex
• Always use condoms or dental dams during oral sex
• Have regular STI checks; at least every 6 months or after each new sexual partner

• A sample for testing may be taken from the vagina, cervix, throat, anus, or penis
• Alternatively, a urine sample is taken for testing
• This test is available at SWAMS, from your regular doctor or at any sexual health clinic

Often warts do not appear when you contract the virus, sometimes for years. However, you can still pass the virus on even if you have no warts yourself. Genital warts can appear on the:

• Vagina
• Vulva
• Cervix
• Anus
• Penis
• Mouth or throat

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• Some types of HPV can be prevented by a vaccine. Talk to your healthcare provider if you wish to know more about this vaccine
• Your risk of HPV can be reduced by using condoms during vaginal, anal, and oral sex, as well as dental dams during oral sex
• Have regular STI checks, at least every 6 months or after any new sexual partner

Gonorrhoea does not always have symptoms. However, if symptoms do present, they can be:

• Unusual discharge from the penis, anus or vagina
• Pain or discomfort when urinating
• Pelvic pain, sometimes during sex
• Irregularly bleeding, between periods or after sex
• Sore, dry throat – if infection is present in mouth/throat
• Pain in the testicles
• Redness around opening of penis

• Always use condoms and water-based lubricant during vaginal and anal sex
• Always use condoms or dental dams during oral sex
• Regular STI testing, at least every 6months or after any new sexual partner

• Gonorrhoea can be tested via a swab of the penis, anus, throat, or cervix
• Testing can also take place with a urine sample
• This test is available at SWAMS, from your regular doctor or at any sexual health clinic

As HIV attacks the immune system, a person may start to experience:

• Constant tiredness
• Swollen glands
• Rapid weight loss
• Night sweats
• Diarrhoea

If left untreated these symptoms can progress as the immune system becomes fragile. If left untreated over an extended period, a person living with HIV may develop AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), typically within 10 years.

At this point this body will be at greater risk of:

• Infections such as tuberculosis
• Cancer
• Wasting syndrome characterised by fever, weight loss and diarrhoea
• Kidney disease

The most effective way to prevent HIV transmission is to practice safe sex

• Always use condoms and water-based lubricant during vaginal and anal sex
• Always use condoms or dental dams during oral sex
• Have regular STI checks at least every 6 months or after each new sexual partner
• Risk of HIV infection is also reduced by not sharing injecting equipment, and ensuring all tattooing, piercing and other procedures use sterile equipment

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis):

• PrEP is a drug that can protect people from getting HIV
• When taking PrEP as prescribed it can be 99% effective at preventing HIV infection if exposed
• This drug is prescribed to people who are at high risk of HIV infection
• It is important to remember that PrEP does not prevent other STIs
• You can talk to your doctor or sexual health nurse about PrEP

PEP (post exposure prophylaxis):

• PEP is a medication taken by people who have been exposed to HIV
• This involves taking HIV medication for 4 weeks after exposure
• It is important to start PEP as soon as possible following exposure to HIV, and within 72 hours (3 days) of exposure
• You can find out more about PEP from your doctor or sexual health nurse

Treatment as prevention:

• HIV-positive people who take antiretroviral therapy (ART), as prescribed can achieve an undetectable viral load.
• This means that person can’t sexually transmit the virus to an HIV-negative partner.

If you think you may have HIV or are at risk of acquiring HIV speak to a health practitioner about a test today. You can request a blood test for HIV from SWAMS, from your regular doctor or at any sexual health clinic.

Rapid HIV Tests:

• Some doctors and clinics may have access to a rapid HIV test.
• This involves either a pinprick of the finger or saliva sample.
• A result will be found within 10 to 20 minutes; however, it always needs to be confirmed by laboratory tests.

Self-testing for HIV:

• Within Australia only one approved HIV self-test exists, the ATOMO HIV self-test
• The Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) approved its use in late 2021
• The test involves pricking your finger to draw blood and mixing with the test fluid. The result appears on the test after 15 minutes
• These can be purchased from participating pharmacies in Western Australia