Gonorrhea is a common bacterial STI. Many people have no symptoms, so testing is the only sure way to know.

Symptoms can include:

• Pain or burning when peeing

• Unusual discharge from penis or vagina

• Bleeding between periods

• Pain during sex

• Rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding

How it spreads:

• Vaginal, anal, or oral sex without protection

• From pregnant person to baby during birth

Treatment:

• Antibiotics. Don’t have sex until you and partners finish treatment and wait 7 days after the last dose. You may need a follow-up test.

Prevention:

• Use condoms every time

• Get tested regularly if sexually active

• Ensure partners get tested and treated

Why it matters:

• Untreated gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and raise HIV risk.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Many people with HPV have no symptoms, and the infection often clears on its own. Some types can cause genital warts or lead to certain cancers. (toronto.ca)

Symptoms may include:

• No symptoms (most common)

• Genital warts

• Changes to the cervix or other areas that are only found through screening

How it spreads:

• Skin-to-skin sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex

• Intimate genital contact, even without penetration (toronto.ca)

Treatment:
There is no cure for HPV, but genital warts can be treated and abnormal cell changes can be monitored or treated. Regular cervical screening helps detect changes early.

Prevention:

• Get the HPV vaccine.

• Use condoms to reduce the risk of transmission.

• Attend regular cervical screening (Pap/HPV tests) as recommended.

Good to know: HPV vaccination is the best way to prevent the types of HPV that cause most genital warts and HPV-related cancers.

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver. Many people have no symptoms, but the virus can cause serious liver damage if left untreated. (toronto.ca)

Symptoms may include:

• Fatigue

• Fever

• Nausea or loss of appetite

• Dark urine

• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)

How it spreads:

• Unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex

• Contact with infected blood (such as sharing needles)

• From a pregnant person to their baby during childbirth

Treatment:
There is no cure for hepatitis B, but antiviral medications can help manage chronic infection. Most adults recover on their own, while some develop long-term (chronic) infection.

Prevention:

• Get the hepatitis B vaccine.

• Use condoms consistently.

• Avoid sharing needles or personal items that may have blood on them (e.g., razors or toothbrushes).

Good to know: Hepatitis B can become chronic and increase the risk of liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. Vaccination is the best protection.

HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system. Many people have no symptoms at first, so testing is the only way to know if you have HIV. With proper treatment, people with HIV can live long, healthy lives. (toronto.ca)

Symptoms may include:

• Fever

• Sore throat

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Rash

• Fatigue

How it spreads:

• Unprotected vaginal or anal sex

• Sharing needles or other injection equipment

• From a pregnant person to their baby during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding

Treatment:
There is no cure for HIV, but it can be effectively managed with daily antiretroviral (HIV) medication. Treatment can reduce the virus to an undetectable level, which means it cannot be passed on through sex.

Prevention:

• Use condoms consistently.

• Consider PrEP if you're at higher risk of HIV.

• Never share needles or injection equipment.

• Get tested regularly if you're sexually active.

Good to know: Early diagnosis and treatment protect your health and help prevent HIV transmission to others.

Trichomoniasis (trich) is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a parasite. Many people have no symptoms, so testing is the best way to know if you have it. (toronto.ca)

Symptoms may include:

• Pain or burning when urinating

• Itching or irritation of the genitals

• Unusual vaginal or penile discharge

• Pain during sex

How it spreads:

• Vaginal sex with someone who has the infection

• Sharing sex toys that haven't been cleaned or covered with a new condom

Treatment:
Trichomoniasis is easily treated with antibiotics. Avoid sex until you and your partner(s) have completed treatment and symptoms have gone away.

Prevention:

• Use condoms consistently.

• Get tested if you have symptoms or a partner has tested positive.

• Make sure sexual partner(s) are tested and treated.

Good to know: If left untreated, trichomoniasis can increase your risk of getting or passing on other STIs, including HIV.

Crabs (pubic lice) are tiny insects that live in pubic hair and feed on blood. They are spread through close personal or sexual contact and are easily treated.

Symptoms may include:

• Itching in the pubic area

• Small bugs or eggs (nits) attached to hair

• Skin irritation or small blue spots from bites

How it spreads:

• Close sexual or intimate contact

• Sharing bedding, towels, or clothing (less common)

Treatment:
Crabs are treated with medicated lotions or shampoos available over the counter or by prescription. Wash clothing, bedding, and towels in hot water, and notify recent sexual partner(s).

Prevention:

• Avoid sexual contact until treatment is complete.

• Do not share towels, bedding, or clothing.

• Make sure sexual partner(s) are treated to prevent reinfection.

Good to know: Crabs do not spread disease, but they won't go away without treatment. Both you and your partner(s) should be treated at the same time to prevent passing them back and forth.

Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 or HSV-2). Many people have no symptoms or only mild symptoms.

Symptoms may include:

• Painful blisters or sores around the genitals or anus

• Itching, tingling, or burning

• Pain when urinating

• Flu-like symptoms during the first outbreak

How it spreads:

• Skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex

• Contact with herpes sores or oral cold sores

• It can spread even when there are no visible symptoms.

Treatment:
There is no cure for herpes, but antiviral medications can reduce symptoms, shorten outbreaks, and lower the risk of passing it to others.

Prevention:

• Use condoms consistently.

• Avoid sexual contact during outbreaks.

• Tell sexual partner(s) if you have herpes.

• Daily antiviral medication can help reduce transmission.

Good to know: Herpes stays in the body for life, but many people have mild or infrequent outbreaks. With treatment and safer sex practices, it can be effectively managed

Molluscum contagiosum is a common skin infection caused by a virus. It can spread through skin-to-skin contact, including sexual contact, or by sharing personal items.

Symptoms may include:

• Small, firm, flesh-colored or pink bumps

• A dimple in the center of each bump

• Itching or mild irritation

How it spreads:

• Skin-to-skin contact, including sexual contact

• Sharing towels, clothing, or other personal items

• Touching or scratching the bumps

Treatment:
Molluscum often clears on its own over time. If needed, a healthcare provider can remove the bumps or prescribe treatment.

Prevention:

• Avoid direct contact with the bumps.

• Do not share towels or personal items.

• Cover the bumps to help prevent spreading the virus.

Good to know: Molluscum contagiosum is usually harmless and often goes away without treatment, but it can spread to other parts of the body or to other people through close skin contact.