I don’t have any symptoms of STIs, so I must be safe…

Don’t assume anything.  Though many people who have a sexually transmitted infection do have symptoms, many others do not have any symptoms at all.

The only way to know for sure is to have STI testing done.  This can be done with a simple blood and urine test.

For individuals that give oral sex or individuals that receive anal sex, tri-site testing is recommended.  This involves urine testing (for urethral infections), throat swab (for throat infections) and a rectal swab (for rectal infections).  Some clinics in the city are more specialized in regards to sexually transmitted infections and STI testing.  They are able to do the standard blood and urine testing, but can also offer to do a throat swab and rectal swab when doing STI testing.

I’m allergic to penicillin, how can I be treated for chlamydia or gonorrhea?

There are various forms of antibiotics to treat these infections. If you are allergic to penicillin, there are alternatives available.  Treatment is still free and covered by Manitoba Health.

If you are HIV positive, you may need special medication for treatment of chlamydia or gonorrhea. Talk to your HIV care provider for this information.

Some doctors may write a prescription for you to pick up other medications, which you would have to pay for. This is unnecessary.  Although some clinics may not carry the alternative treatment, you may choose to go to a community clinic to get the alternative treatment for free (i.e. Klinic, Health Action Centre, …) Manitoba Health covers all STI medications which should be available at the clinic. Manitoba Health will not reimburse you for prescriptions you have paid for.

Am I at risk for sexually transmitted infections if I am giving a blowjob to someone?

Any unprotected sex, including oral sex, puts an individual at risk for contracting or transmitting a STI.

Although the transmission of HIV orally is low risk, it is still a risk.

Other infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis are very easily spread through unprotected oral sex. Ejaculation is not required to spread the infections. Each of these infections are bacterial and can be cured if detected.

Genital warts and genital herpes can also be spread into or by the mouth and throat. Studies indicate a higher than normal percentage of throat cancers linked to HPV (Genital Warts) among men who have sex with men. Genital warts and genital herpes are viral infections. This means there is no cure for them. Medications are available to help control the outbreaks, but the virus remains in your body.

Using condoms for blowjobs and dams for rimming are ways of preventing STIs through oral sex.

Gonorrhea usually has symptoms to identify that this infection is present in your body.  However, you could have an infection without any symptoms at all.  If infected with gonorrhea, and you do experience symptoms, these will usually begin 2-10 days after being exposed.

Gonorrhea infections may occur in the urethra (penis), the anus (bum) or the throat.  Urine testing will only identify if the infection is in your urethra. For men who have oral or anal sex, tri-site testing is recommended.  This includes urine testing, a throat swab and a rectal swab. 

Symptoms for a urethral infection may include urethral discharge, pain when urinating (peeing) or urethral itching.  The discharge may be slight, and not apparent without massaging the urethra, or may be quite pronounced. Discharge is usually yellowish-green in colour.

If left untreated, epididymitis may occur.  To put it plainly, epididymitis is an infection and swelling of the testicles (balls) and tubes of the scrotal (ball sac) area.  The swelling is quite painful.  The swelling may be quite localized or may extend to the surrounding area. 

Untreated gonorrhea may also lead to stricture, which is a narrowing of the urethra.  This may cause difficulty or stop your ability to urinate (pee).

If the infection is in the rectum, symptoms will include discharge from the anus, anal itching and painful bowel movements (poop).  It is also likely that your feces will have blood in them.

Oral gonorrhea doesn’t have any obvious symptoms.  It just feels like any sore throat.

Untreated oral or rectal gonorrhea can lead to ulcers.  Not only are the ulcers painful, but also they greatly increase your risk of contracting another STI (like HIV) as they are a portal for entry.

Many people that are infected with gonorrhea are also co-infected with chlamydia.   Chlamydia symptoms are very similar, though discharge from the penis may be more grayish in colour.

Treatment for both infections is a one-time dose of antibiotics, which will be covered by Manitoba Health.

From January to April 2009, over 2600 cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea were reported in Manitoba, with about 60% of these cases being in Winnipeg.

The highest risk group is young adults between 15 – 24 years old.  Statistics indicate that 40-50% of reportable STIs are comprised of this age group.

Statistically across Canada, approximately 220 people per 100,000 test positive for Chlamydia. However, here in Manitoba the rate is almost double that – about 400 people per 100,000 are testing positive for Chlamydia.

Manitoba has the highest rate of Chlamydia infection in Canada.

Per capita, Manitoba has the highest rate of gonorrhea in Canada.
Manitoba has the second highest rate of chlamydia in Canada.

According to statistics, Manitoba has approximately three times the
national average number of cases of gonorrhea. Manitoba also has almost
twice the number of chlamydia cases per capita than the national
average.

Approximately 40% of people who test positive for syphilis also have HIV