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Sexually Transmitted Infections: Know Your Risks
You get sexually transmitted infections (STI) by having sex* or sexual contact** with someone who has an STI. It is difficult in many cases to determine if you or your partner has an STI. Some people have few or no symptoms at all. The most common symptoms are:
- White, green or yellow discharge from the penis, vagina or rectum
- Burning with urination
- Painful or painless genital sores
- Flu-like symptoms
- For women - bleeding between periods or lower pelvic pain
Know your risks
You have a chance of getting an STI if:
Be responsible
The only way to prevent a STI is to make choices that avoid risky behaviour.
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has three locations that provide information, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections.
To book an appointment at a location near you call:
The information included in this article has only given you a few ways to reduce your risks of catching an STI. If you wish to learn about specific sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes, genital warts, hepatitis or AIDS you can go to Health Canada's website listed in the reliable links below or contact the Sexual Health Clinic at:
*Sex refers to oral, vaginal and anal intercourse.
**Sexual contact refers to any skin-to-skin contact of the genitals.