STI

Bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and syphilis, are increasing across Ontario and locally, in Windsor and Essex County. These infections pose a serious health risk to individuals and their partners. Complications from acquiring these infections range from chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and sterility, to more systemic infections of other organs, such as the heart and brain.

If you’re looking for resources to use in your classroom when teaching STBBIs, the following sites are recommended:

If you’re looking for additional information about STBBIs, the following sites are recommended:

In a case where someone suspects they may have an STBBI, they should be directed to their health care provider or a local clinic for testing and follow-up treatment.

They should speak to their regular health care provider to seek testing, treatment, and medical support.

Abstinence (not participating in) is the only guaranteed way to prevent an STBBI. This includes abstaining from all sexual activity, not just intercourse.

If one has had unprotected sexual activity (without the use of a male or female condom), including oral or anal sex, they should be advised to get tested by a health care professional. This may include their own health care provider, or a sexual health clinic in the community.

An STBBI may or may not show any signs or symptoms. The only way to know for sure if one has an STBBI is to get tested.

Common symptoms of an STI may include:

STBBIs are common infections that can be passed from one person to another during sexual contact (e.g. oral, anal and vaginal). Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) or Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are other names for STBBIs.