Other STIs

Some infections can sneak up on you, but knowing the facts helps you stay healthy and in control. Below are the key details on HPV, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and mpox—what they are, how they are transmitted, and how you can protect yourself.

HPV

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the most common STI. Most people who are sexually active get HPV at some point.

• How it spreads: Mainly by skin-to-skin contact during sex, even without penetration or fluids.
  
• Types: Most HPV goes away on its own. Some types cause genital warts. Others can lead to cancer.
  

Pap tests find the HPV types that can cause cervical cancer.

• If you have a cervix and are sexually active, get a Pap test.
• If you’ve had a full hysterectomy, ask your doctor if you still need Pap tests.
  

Anal Pap tests work the same way for anal cancer risk. Ask your doctor if you’ve had anal sex or a history of HPV-linked cervical cancer.

HPV vaccine

• Most Canadian kids get Gardasil-9 in school (grade 4–7).
  
• If you missed it, ask your doctor about the vaccine.
  
• In some provinces, shots are free for groups like MSM.
  
• Visit catie.ca or our HPV factsheet for details.
  

Syphilis

Syphilis is a bacterial infection. You might not have any symptoms. The first sign can be a sore on your genitals, anus, lips, mouth, or throat. Sometimes these sores are easy to miss.

• How it spreads: By sex or skin-to-skin contact with a sore. It can also spread (less often) by sharing needles.
  
• Care: Syphilis is cured with antibiotics. If you don’t treat it, it can cause serious health problems. Pregnant people can pass it to their babies. After a cure, you can still get syphilis again.
• For more information, check out our Factsheet on Syphilis
  

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection passed by body fluids during sex. It can live in the urethra, genitals, rectum, throat, or eyes. Most people have no symptoms.

• Care: Chlamydia is cured with antibiotics. Treatment does not stop future infections. Practice safer sex and get tested regularly.
• For more information, check out our Factsheet on Chlamydia
  

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that can live in the urethra, genitals, rectum, throat, or eyes. Many people do not have symptoms.

• Care: Gonorrhea is cured with antibiotics. Treatment does not stop future infections. Practice safer sex and get tested regularly.
• For more information, check out our Factsheet on Gonorrhea.

An Important Note About Swabs! Some STI’s (like Chlamydia and Gonorrhea) aren’t detected with a urine test alone.  Depending on the sex you’re having you may want to include throat, front hole and rectal swabs when getting tested.  See the Asking for Testing section for more information.

Mpox

Mpox (formerly monkeypox) has been spreading in some gay and bisexual networks. It can cause a rash, blisters, fever, muscle aches, and extreme tiredness. It spreads by close, long-term contact, not by casual touch. 

• Protect yourself: Two doses of the Mpox vaccine provides maximum protection.
  
• Learn more: Learn more about mpox here.
  

Stay on top of testing and prevention. Use condoms, get your shots, and talk to your doctor about any tests you need. You’ve got this!