Since 2011, the rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis have been increasing for people under the age of 30 in Canada. Knowing more about each of these STIs can help you decide what precautions you want to take to help prevent them. 💪
Chlamydia is the most common STI in Canada, especially for people under 30. It’s a bacterial infection that’s usually passed on through oral, anal, vaginal, or frontal sex, or through fingers or sharing sex toys that have come into contact with the bacteria. Chlamydia can also be passed on to a baby during childbirth or by touching your eye after coming into contact with the bacteria.
Similar to chlamydia, gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that is passed on through oral, genital or anal sex. It’s the second most common bacterial infection for people under 30. Gonorrhea can also be passed on when giving birth, or by fingers and sex toys that have come into contact with the bacteria.
Syphilis is also a bacterial infection that is passed on during vaginal, frontal, oral, or anal sex. The bacteria can also be passed on through close skin-to-skin contact with a syphilis rash or sore. Someone who is pregnant can pass on syphilis to their baby. In Canada, the number of cases are increasing faster than any other STI.
There are a lot of different strategies available to prevent STIs from being passed on through sex. Wearing condoms or using dental dams greatly reduces the risk of passing on STIs. It’s important to wash sex toys or use a new condom after every use. If you shave or wax your pubes, use condoms and lube to reduce the chances of bacteria and viruses from entering your body.
Often, STIs have no symptoms. The only way to know whether or not you have an STI is to get tested. Think of routine testing as a part of your sexual health regimen. You can get testing and treatment at health clinics, including walk-in clinics, hospitals, some community health centres, or your doctor. Check out your local public health website for more info.
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