Viruses are microscopic organisms, smaller than bacteria. They can only reproduce inside the cells of another organism. They invade the cells and cause disease.
How it is spread:
Through unprotected oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
Infected mothers can infect their baby during birth.
Symptoms:
There are many different types of HPV.
Some cause cancer.
Some cause genital warts—cauliflower-like bumps.
OR
No symptoms.
Test:
Visual exam
PAP test
Treatment:
No cure—virus stays in body.
Manage symptoms with medication.
Most genital warts go away on their own.
Vaccines prevent the most common types of HPV.
Risks if no treatment:
- Distress
- Increases your risk to get other STIs if exposed to them
- Cancer
Prevention:
- Get the vaccine (available for free to all Grade 6 girls in Nunavut)
- Use a condom and/or dental dam every time you have oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
- Get tested at your health centre once you become sexually active, and every 5 years if the test is negative and you’re over age 21.
How it is spread:
Through unprotected oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
Infected mothers can infect their baby during birth.
Symptoms:
- Blisters (small fluid-filled sores)
- Burning sensation when peeing
- Itchiness
OR
No symptoms
Test:
Swab or blood
Treatment:
No cure (virus stays in body).
Manage symptoms with medication.
Risks if no treatment:
- Brain damage and blindness in babies born to infected mothers
- Increases your risk to get other STIs if exposed to them
Prevention:
- Use a condom and/or dental dam every time you have oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
- Get tested at your local health centre.
How it is spread:
Through unprotected oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
Infected mothers can infect their baby during birth.
Symptoms:
- Flu-like (fever, tired, body aches, stomach pain, nausea)
- Jaundice (yellow skin)
OR
No symptoms
Test:
Blood
Treatment:
No cure (virus stays in body).
Prevent with vaccine.
Risks if no treatment:
- Liver damage
- Cancer
- Death
Prevention:
- Get the vaccine (given to all babies in Nunavut)
- Use a condom and/or dental dam every time you have oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
- Get tested at your local health centre.
How it is spread:
Through unprotected oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
Passed through breast milk and blood.
Infected mothers can infect their baby during birth.
Symptoms:
Symptoms may take years to show.
HIV:
- Weight loss
- Tired
- Fever
HIV causes AIDS—the immune system becomes very weak and cannot fight off infections.
Test:
Blood
Treatment:
No cure (virus stays in body).
Some treatment available.
Risks if no treatment:
- Weakened immune system
- More infections
- Death
Prevention:
- Use a condom and/or dental dam every time you have oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
- Get tested at your local health centre at least once a year if you’re sexually active under age 30
- Get tested at your local health centre every 3-6 months if you or your sexual partners have more than one partner.