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Check out our list of places on the web for STI facts, contact details for sexual health clinics and more:
What's the current situation in Australia?
The reported number of cases has quadrupled in the last 10 years. 80% of cases are in 15-29 year olds.
How it spreads...
Most often through vaginal or anal sex without a condom.
Symptoms
Most don’t have symptoms. Discharge from your penis, pains with urinating. Bleeding between periods or pelvic pain.
How to prevent it
Use Condoms.
More..What's the current situation in Australia?
Gonorrhoea is the second most commonly reported STI, and diagnosis have risen by 25% over the last year.
How it spreads...
Vaginal, anal or oral sex without a condom.
Symptoms
Men: smelly discharge, swollen testicles. Women: vaginal discharge, pain on urination. But can show no symptoms.
How to prevent it
Use condoms.
More..What's the current situation in Australia?
Rate of infection have risen in recent years, particularly in men who have sex with men and in some Aboriginal/ Torres Straight Islander communities.
How it spreads...
Transmitted through skin-to-skin contact with infected areas, and through oral, vaginal or anal sex without a condom.
Symptoms
Starts off with a painless ulcer. Can then develop into a rash across the whole body, flu-like symptoms and swollen glands.
How to prevent it
Condoms reduce the risk, but only protect the skin that is covered.
More..What's the current situation in Australia?
More than 1 in 10 Australians carries the virus responsible for genital herpes.
How it spreads...
Vaginal, anal and oral sex without a condom and genital skin-to-skin contact.
Symptoms
Herpes sometimes shows no sign of infection. Otherwise, blisters on the genitals which usually burst leaving sore ulcers, painful urinating and swollen glands.
How to prevent it
Condoms reduce the risk, but only protect the skin that is covered.
More..What's the current situation in Australia?
4 out of 5 Australians experience HPV at some time in their lives, and it can increase a woman's risk of cervical cancer.
How it spreads...
Usually spread by direct skin-to-skin contact, or vaginal or anal sex without a condom.
Symptoms
Symptoms can include visible genital warts/cauliflower-like clusters, which can multiply, grow and bleed.
How to prevent it
Condoms reduce the risk, but only protect the skin that is covered.
More..What's the current situation in Australia?
For the past three years the rate of HIV has remained relatively stable at about 1000 new cases a year following a steady increase in the early 2000's. Approximately a quarter of all new diagnoses of HIV infection are occurring amongst people aged 15-29.
How it spreads...
HIV is spread by anal or vaginal sex without a condom, from mother to baby (during childbirth or breastfeeding) and by sharing needles. In rare cases HIV is spread through oral sex and sharps injuries.
Symptoms
Some have no symptoms for years until the disease progresses to AIDS. But you may experience flu- like symptoms, extreme fatigue, weight loss and mouth ulcers.
How to prevent it
Use Condoms and don't share needles including tattooing and piercing equipment.
More..This website is run by the National Institute of Health, part of the US Government, and provides up to date information about HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and research.
GYCA is a global network of young leaders who are involved in youth and HIV/AIDS. GYCA helps these leaders by providing knowledge, skills, resources and opportunities to aid their initiatives, particularly by linking them to financial, mentor and political support.
This is a information page on HIV/AIDS, created and maintained by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which is part of the UN.
This is a very detailed website with lots of facts about HIV/AIDS.Along with information, The Body also has videos, links to the latest news and research and a Q&A section.
This organisation is part of the UN, and is concerned with the global impact of HIV/AIDS.
This is the peak body for doctors who specialise in the diagnosis, treatment and management of people living with HIV. They create policies and guidelines, and run training programs for doctors.
AFAO is the national body representing HIV community groups, to whom it provides leadership, coordination and support.
NAPWA is the peak non-government organisation in Australia representing people living with HIV/AIDS. NAPWA is involved in advocacy, education and. Their website has lots of detailed information about living with, treating and preventing HIV, and they can also put you in touch with local support groups.
This organisation is for people living with HIV/AIDS. Their website has info on a range of topics - from HIV law, to links to HIV support groups across Australia.
Positive Women is a support and advocacy group for HIV positive women living in Victoria. They help in a number of ways, as they provide information, support and counseling services, as well as running social events.
Straight Arrows is a support group for heterosexual people living with HIV, which aids HIV positive people through information, support, financial assistance, advocacy and social events.
Positive Counselling provides free, confidential counselling for people who have been diagnosed with Hepatitis C and HIV, as well as their family and friends. The Positive Counselling Centre is located in Windsor, Victoria.
This sexual health clinic is located in Surry Hills, Sydney, and specialises in the care of people living with HIV. They can help in many ways, as they have medical, nursing and psychological services, as well as an on-site nutritionist and pharmacist.
This website has lots of information about Chlamydia, the most common STI in young Australians. Did you know that you can have Chlamydia without knowing it? Check out this page for lots of facts, written by doctors in Sydney and funded by the Federal Government.
Run by the Queensland Government, this website can tell you all about sex, contraception and STIs. Come here for simple info that could help you when you least expect it, as well as links to Queensland statistics about STI rates.
This website is funded by MTV, so it can't be too bad, right? Lots of information about everything related to sexual health - how to say no to sex, ways to have safe sex and information on STI testing.
This website is run by the AIDS Council of NSW, and has lots of info about sex, sexuality, homophobia and more. They also have links to other websites with information, and to services (like doctors and counselors) who can help you out in the real world.
This site is aimed at gay men, and contains information about STIs (like signs and symptoms) and details for sexual health clinics across Australia. They also have a reminder service (can send you an SMS to remind you to get a sexual health check) and "let him know" service (where you can send an anonymous SMS or e-card to a partner and warn them about your diagnosis). WARNING: this site contains some sexually explicit material.
This very sexy website is all about giving people sexy tips on how to protect themselves. The clever folks who run the Pleasure Project also work with the erotic film industry, trying to make sure that their films promote messages about safe sex.
This sexual health clinic is located in Surry Hills, Sydney, and specialises in the care of people living with HIV. They can help in many ways, as they have medical, nursing and psychological services, as well as an on-site nutritionist and pharmacist.
Centre Clinic (Victorian HIV/AIDS Council) As well as running a website, the Victorian HIV/AIDS Council also has 2 clinics - in St Kilda and Northcote - which specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS and other STIs. All people living with HIV are welcome, though there is a focus on people who are attracted to the same sex (gay or lesbian) or to both sexes (bisexual). The St Kilda clinic is open late on Monday nights, as well as Saturdays, and all appointments are bulk billed through Medicare.
Family Planning Victoria has sexual health clinics in Box Hill and Melbourne CBD, which offer a range of services including contraceptive advice, STI testing and pap smears. They also conduct regular outreach clinics in other parts of Melbourne. Check out their website for reliable information on STIs and sexual health.
This page is run by the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, and gives you ways - email, SMS and letter - to tell your partner that they could be at risk of an STI.
Marie Stopes International is an organisation which provides sexual and reproductive health services all over the world. They have clinics in most Australian capital cities, which offer services related to contraception and STIs, as well as performing abortions and vasectomies.
The MSHC is located in Melbourne CBD, and offers people a range of services - medical, nursing, counseling. They also have an onsite pharmacy and pathology testing, as well as a telephone information line. You don't need to make an appointment, and all their services are free. The MSHC is open weekdays (late on Thursday nights), and they have special clinics for men, women, people who are living with HIV, and men who have sex with men. They also have a great website, with lots of information about STIs and sexual health, and can refer you to sexual health clinics all over Australia!
Centre Clinic (Victorian HIV/AIDS Council) As well as running a website, the Victorian HIV/AIDS Council also has 2 clinics - in St Kilda and Northcote - which specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS and other STIs. All people living with HIV are welcome, though there is a focus on people who are attracted to the same sex (gay or lesbian) or to both sexes (bisexual). The St Kilda clinic is open late on Monday nights, as well as Saturdays, and all appointments are bulk billed through Medicare.
Family Planning Victoria has sexual health clinics in Box Hill and Melbourne CBD, which offer a range of services including contraceptive advice, STI testing and pap smears. They also conduct regular outreach clinics in other parts of Melbourne. Check out their website for reliable information on STIs and sexual health.
This page is run by the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, and gives you ways - email, SMS and letter - to tell your partner that they could be at risk of an STI.
Marie Stopes International is an organisation which provides sexual and reproductive health services all over the world. They have clinics in most Australian capital cities, which offer services related to contraception and STIs, as well as performing abortions and vasectomies.
The MSHC is located in Melbourne CBD, and offers people a range of services - medical, nursing, counseling. They also have an onsite pharmacy and pathology testing, as well as a telephone information line. You don't need to make an appointment, and all their services are free. The MSHC is open weekdays (late on Thursday nights), and they have special clinics for men, women, people who are living with HIV, and men who have sex with men. They also have a great website, with lots of information about STIs and sexual health, and can refer you to sexual health clinics all over Australia!
Headspace is the national youth mental health foundation. They help young people who are going through a tough time. You can get health advice, support and information from headspace.
This website is run by the Australian Drug Foundation, and has lots of facts about sex, health, relationships and drugs. Come here to find all sorts of info, as well as stories from other young people.
A portal brimming with videos, factsheets, blogs and music to help you manage mental health, drugs, sex, independence, work, health and body image and more.
