About sexually transmissible infections (STIs)
Sexually transmissible infections (STIs) are infections that can be passed on from one person to another during sex.
NSW Health provides up-to-date fact sheets on the most common STIs in Australia. These include: genital herpes, genital warts, Chlamydia, trichomoniasis, gonorrhoea, hepatitis B, syphilis and HIV. Some fact sheets are available in multiple languages.
You can also call the NSW Sexual Health Infoline on 1800 451 624 for support.
Prevention
The best way to protect yourself from STIs is to practice safe sex. Always use a condom when you have sex.
Testing
Testing for STIs involves taking swabs, providing a urine sample, or taking a blood test. Many STIs do not have any symptoms so regular STI check-ups are important. Discuss with your GP or local sexual health service.
Treatment
If you're diagnosed with a STI, your GP or sexual health service will prescribe treatment.
If you test positive for an STI it is important to tell your partner/s so they can be checked and treated. This is called contact tracing or partner notification. Your doctor or nurse can help you with this.
Our sexual health service
We provide free testing, management, support, and treatment for STIs as well as programs to increase awareness of sexual health. We also supply people with resources, free condoms and lubricant.
We provide sexual health clinic services that include:
- testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections
- testing for HIV, HIV monitoring, management and treatment
- Hepatitis A and B testing, diagnosis, and immunisation
- Hepatitis C testing, diagnosis and treatment
- PEP - Post Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV and Hepatitis B
- PrEP- Pre Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV.
We work with specific groups in our community:
- men who have sex with men
- people with HIV
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
- people who inject drugs
- people recently released from prison
- sex industry workers
- young people at risk.
Monkeypox (MPXV) vaccination now available
In response to the current global monkeypox (MPXV) outbreak, NSW Health has secured a supply of the 3rd generation smallpox vaccine ‘JYNNEOS.'
Vaccination will be available at most sexual health services, contact a MPXV vaccination clinic to make an appointment.
More information about monkeypox (MPXV) is available on the NSW Health website.
If you have questions about monkeypox (MPXV), contact the NSW Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624.
HIV and Related Program Unit (HARP)
The HIV and Related Services Program (HARP) unit is funded by NSW Health to coordinate the local response to blood borne viruses and sexually transmitted infections within primary care and publicly funded services.
We support the provision of sexual health and HIV, Hepatitis C treatment services, the needle syringe program and health promotion programs in Murrumbidgee and Southern NSW Local Health Districts. We also support education activities for health providers, other community service providers and community.
Service contacts
| Service | Phone |
|---|---|
| Community Health Central Intake service | 1800 999 880 |
| Albury Sexual Health Service (Albury Wodonga Health) Smollett Street, Albury, NSW 2640 | (02) 6058 1846 |
| Albury Sexual Health Promotion | 0428 109 250 |
| Bega Sexual Health and Hepatitis C Treatment Services (Bega, Pambula, and Eden) | 0477 337 585 |
| Eurobodalla Shire Sexual Health and Hepatitis C Treatment Services (Batemans Bay, Moruya, and Narooma) | 0427 219 874 |
| Goulburn Sexual Health and Hepatitis C Treatment Services Corner Goldsmith and Faithful Street Goulburn, NSW 2580 | 0427 893 247 |
| Griffith Sexual Health and Hepatitis C Treatment Services 39 Yambil Street, Griffith, NSW 2620 | (02) 6966 9900 |
| Queanbeyan Sexual Health and Hepatitis C Treatment Services Corner Collett and Erin Street Queanbeyan, NSW 2620 | 0427 893 247 |
| Wagga Wagga Sexual Health and Hepatitis Treatment Service, Brookong Centre 260 - 280 Edward St Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650 | (02) 5943 2830 |
| Wagga Wagga Sexual Health Promotion | (02) 5943 2832 |
Resources
Play Safe - Young people aged 15 to 29 can access sexual health information and ask questions on the NSW Health Playsafe website.
Play Safe Pro - We've collected the best tools for workers with young people around sexual health. Check out the organisational tools to help your service become more sexual health friendly,
Let Them Know - This website will help people who have been diagnosed with Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Mycoplasma genitalium, Syphilis and Trichomonas to tell their sexual partners that they might also be at risk.
Better to Know - A resource designed especially for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to help inform partners who may be at risk of an STI.