If you're having sex, you can get a sexually transmissible infection – even if you practise safer sex most of the time.
It’s estimated around 1 in every 6 people will get an STI in their lifetime.
There are many different STIs and not all of them have obvious symptoms. So, there is a chance that you or your partner could have an STI without knowing it.
If left untreated, STIs can have long-term effects on your body and reproductive health.
The good news is, most STIs are curable, and all are treatable.
Sexual Health Week (4-10 September 2022) is a timely reminder for anyone who is sexually active to talk to your doctor, nurse or health worker about STI testing and treatment.
Talk. Test. Treat.
Look after everyone's sexual health and get tested.
Preventing STIs
Condoms reduce your risk of STIs
You can reduce your risk of most STIs by using barrier protection such as condoms.
Condoms come in two types – male or female and are recommended every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex.
However, condoms do not protect against all STIs – that’s why it is important to have regular STI tests.
Condoms are available from supermarkets, pharmacies (or chemists), sexual health clinics and family planning clinics.
Get tested
You can also reduce your risk of STIs by getting regular sexual health tests.
Types of sexually transmissible infections (STIs)
Where to get tested
Information in community languages
Sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and testing for STIs (video)
STIs don't discriminate - anyone can get an STI without even knowing it.
Get tested for syphilis - the history (video)
Sexually transmitted infections (or STIs) have plagued human civilisation for thousands of years. It is thought that syphilis, may have emerged after the Ice Age, around 3000 BC.
Get tested for syphilis - the story of Franz Schubert (video)
Did you know that Franz Schubert, the famous composer is believed to have died of syphilis at 31?
Get tested for syphilis - the cure (video)
Over the years, scientists came up with some unusual ways to treat syphilis.
Our content partners
Reviewed on: 04-10-2021