This is an infection of your cock (urethra), arse (rectum), throat or eyes caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Gonorrhoea is passed on by giving or receiving anal sex, oral sex, and arse play such as fingering and fisting with an infected person. Touching an infected cock or arse and then touching your own cock, arse or eyes can also transmit gonorrhoea.
It is quite common to have no symptoms, especially if the infection is in your rectum or the throat. However symptoms can include a dry or sore throat, itchiness and pain during bowel movements (shitting), or a clear or yellow discharge from the cock and pain or burning when urinating. Throat infections may also cause discharge however this is less common. These usually take between two and 10 days to show up after being exposed.
STI’s are on the rise and there are certain things you can do to help prevent the transmission of them.
Gonorrhoea is usually detected by a urine test as well as swabs collected from the arse and throat. It is preferable not to piss for at least one hour prior to having a urine test.
Gonorrhoea is easily cured with antibiotics. Sexual contact should be avoided for at least one week to ensure the infection has cleared after treatment. If you had sex whilst you were infected with gonorrhoea then your sexual partners may also need to get tested and possibly treated.
Using a condom for anal sex can reduce the risk of transmission if the infected area (for example cock or anus) is covered. Condoms may not always cover the infected area so there is a risk of passing on gonorrhoea. It can also be passed on through oral sex or by touching an infected area and then touching your own penis, anus or eyes.
Chlamydia is the most common STI in Australia and is caused by bacteria (Chlamydia trachomatis). Chlamydia can cause infections of the urethra (the tube that runs through your cock), the throat or the arse.
You can get chlamydia in your cock (urethra) or arse through giving or receiving anal sex, or in the throat through oral sex. Although uncommon, you can also get infected in your cock through oral sex and in your arse through fingering and fisting.
Symptoms usually appear between two and 14 days after being exposed, but may take as long as 21 days; however it is quite common to have no symptoms, or for the symptoms to go unnoticed, especially in the throat or arse. Most men do not have any symptoms and if left untreated chlamydia can cause infertility.
Getting tested for STI’s is a quick, easy and painless experience, and it means you are taking control of your sexual health!
A medical practitioner can diagnose chlamydia by swabbing the throat or arse. Testing for urethral infection is usually done through a urine test; however, if you have symptoms a urethral swab may be required.
Chlamydia is treated with a course of antibiotics. If you had sex while you were infected with chlamydia your sexual partners may also need to be tested and possibly treated.
Using condoms can reduce the risk of transmission if the infected area, for example cock or arse, is covered. However condoms may not always cover the infected area so there is a high chance of passing on chlamydia even when condoms are used.
Syphilis has been increasing among gay men as it's very easy to catch! you should get tested for syphilis every three months.
Syphilis is an infection in your blood caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum.
Giving or receiving anal or oral sex can transmit syphilis. It can also be passed on through arse play or direct contact with sores or lesions.
It is common for the symptoms of syphilis to go unnoticed however when they do appear they usually occur in 3 stages.
Although a person may show no visible signs of infection they are still able to pass on syphilis.
Diagnosis is through a blood test but swabs may also be taken if there are sores. It is recommended to get tested for syphilis every 3 months.
Syphilis can be treated with a course of antibiotics. Syphilis can be cured particularly if it is diagnosed in the early stages and treated with penicillin. Other drugs may be used if a person is allergic to penicillin.
Syphilis can be one of the more serious STI’s, and therefore it’s important to get regular checkups to see whether you may have it or not.
Only areas covered by condoms, dams or gloves are protected from infection. Touching any sore or rash should be avoided.