Important Student Information:​

• ​UNB page on Healthy Sexuality: Healthy Sexuality | Counselling Services | Student Services Fredericton | UNB

• STI tests are free at the:

  • ​CC Jones Student Health Centre (Book appointment here)

  • The Fredericton Downtown Community Health Centre 

  • Sexual health services phone line for Fredericton: 506-453-5379 (or call 811)

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STI Symptoms:

 

General STI Symptoms:

STI symptoms vary depending on the person or type of virus. Symptoms generally include: 

• Abnormal discharge from the penis, vagina, or anus 

• Painful urination 

• Genital Sores 

• Genital itching, redness, irritation 

• Pain during intercourse [1] 

 

Asymptomatic STIs:

It is important to note that many people can become infected with an STI but not have any symptoms.

• For example, up to 75% of chlamydia carriers are asymptomatic.

• STIs that do not show symptoms can still be spread and can still cause damage to your body [2].

 

When should I get tested?

• If you have started a new sexual relationship, or if someone you have had sexual contact with tests positive for an STI, you should get tested right away.

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For more information on STIs, see the Government of Canada STI Booklet

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Basics of Common STIs:

HIV

• Spread through bodily fluids such as blood, semen, and vaginal fluid, when these fluids are in contact with open wounds or genitalia.

• If someone becomes infected, an antiretroviral medication (ART) can be given to slow the progression of the virus, and to stop the virus from spreading to others. 

• HIV-negative people with HIV-positive partners may also take pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to avoid contracting the virus. Another medication, Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), is taken after a high-risk sexual encounter to prevent contracting HIV [3]. 

• HIV Self-test kits are available at the AIDS NB office located at 440 Wilsey Road.

  • To contact: info@aidsnb.com or 506-455-2625 

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HPV

• HPV is the most common STI, spread through genital contact, or by skin-to-skin contact during sex.

• HPV symptoms often go away on their own, but the virus may stay in the body for years despite having no symptoms, so it is important to get tested regularly and take necessary precautions.

    HPV Vaccination:

• An HPV vaccine exists and is up to 90% effective in preventing an HPV infection.

• In Canada, most girls have received the vaccine through the public school system, which prevents the HPV types that most commonly cause cancer. This does not mean you are immune to all types of HPV.

• All are encouraged to receive the vaccine, which is available through the UNB Health Center, but the vaccine will not prevent all types of HPV or other STIs.

 

Hepatitis B:

• Hepatitis B is spread through infected blood and other bodily fluids, or from mother to child. It is commonly spread by sharing needles, unsanitary tattooing, or piercing practices.

• While Hep B is often an acute illness, and those infected develop immunity, it can sometimes become chronic, incurable, and cause life-threatening liver disease. Hepatitis B is especially dangerous when passed from mother to child, as 95% of cases of children born with Hep B are chronic [5]. 

  • The Hep B vaccine is commonly given to newborns right after birth, and typically provides lifetime immunity, but it is recommended if you did not receive the vaccine as an infant to get vaccinated [6]. 

 

Herpes Virus (HSV-1 & HSV-2):

• Two types of herpes simplex virus cause the STI; HSV-1 and HSV-2. 

• HSV-1 is a very common virus, and it is estimated that up to 66% of the population are carriers, but that most people are asymptomatic [7]. 

• HSV-2 tends to remain transmissible even after symptoms subside, while HSV-1 is less likely to be spread while it is inactive. In both types of virus, an episode where there are visible sores are blisters means the virus is currently highly transmissible.  

• Treatment Options:

  • Antiviral drugs (acyclovir/valacyclovir/famciclovir) can be taken to treat symptoms and prevent the virus from spreading to a partner.

    • Antiviral drugs may be given as a daily dose to prevent recurring outbreaks and to lower the likelihood of transmission; or they may be given episodically, on the onset of a new episode.

    • Similarly, antiviral drugs can be taken by a non-infected partner to avoid transmission, as a form of preventative measure.

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Chlamydia:

• Chlamydia is the most common bacterial STI, affecting about 4 million people yearly.

• Left untreated, chlamydia can lead to further complications, including chronic pelvic main, urethritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and ectopic pregnancy. 

• The infection is spread through oral or penetrative sex.

• Treatment: antibiotics 

• Notes:

  • If you’ve had chlamydia in the past, you can still become reinfected. 

  • Most people with chlamydia are asymptomatic [9]. 

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Gonorrhea:

• A very common STI and has been declared an outbreak by the province of  New Brunswick.

• It is spread through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

• Left untreated, gonorrhea can result in other health problems, including infertility.  

• Gonorrhea can be cured through antibiotics [10]. 

  • However, due to the rise of antibacterial treatment for gonorrhea, new strains have been detected that are antibiotic-resistant. 

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