Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

When used correctly, condoms provide protection against infection! It’s important to:

• Ensure the condom is not expired
• Do not puncture the condom (do not open it with teeth or scissors)
• Make sure the condom is facing the right way!
• Use it from the start so that the mucous membranes of those engaging in sex do not come into contact.
• Use a new condom each time.
• Remove the condom while the penis is still erect to reduce the risk of the condom slipping off.

It’s advised to use a condom during vaginal, oral, and anal sex.

It can be difficult to find dental dams in Iceland, but it’s easy to make a dental dam out of a condom! 

Cut off the closed end, then cut along the length of the condom to create a rectangle.

A dental dam can be placed over the vagina or anus to protect the mouth from infection during oral sex.

Genital herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus, type 2. 

Genital herpes is transmitted through unprotected sex with an infected person when they are showing symptoms.

There may be a long time between infection and the appearance of symptoms, even several months.

Symptoms of genital herpes include:

• Small blisters or sores on the genitals
• Numbness, a burning sensation, or itching on the genitals
• Pain during urination
• Unusual vaginal discharge

If you suspect you have genital herpes, you can visit your nearest health center, the dermatology and venereology department at Landspítali, or a specialist doctor.

Genital herpes is diagnosed through a medical examination or a sample test. There is no cure for genital herpes. However, there are treatments available that reduce symptoms and shorten the time people have blisters or sores. You can ask for them at the pharmacy.  

Symptoms can reoccur but less frequently the longer the time since the infection.

The bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis causes chlamydia. Chlamydia is transmitted through unprotected sex.

Symptoms in women:

• Pain during urination
• Unusual discharge
• Pelvic pain
• Pain during intercourse
• Bleeding after intercourse
• Spotting between periods

Symptoms in men:

• Pain during urination
• White discharge from the urethra
• Pain in the testicles

If you suspect you have chlamydia, you can visit your nearest health center, the dermatology and venereology department at Landspítali, or a specialist doctor.

Chlamydia is diagnosed with a urine test for men or a cervical swab for women.

Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics.

You can be re-infected with chlamydia multiple times.

Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Gonorrhea is transmitted through unprotected sex. It can also be transmitted through oral sex.

Symptoms of gonorrhea:

• Gonorrhea can be asymptomatic
• Changes in discharge from the vagina or urethra
• Pain during urination
• Pelvic pain
• Spotting between periods or heavier than usual menstrual bleeding
• Swollen foreskin and pain in the testicles

If you suspect you have gonorrhea, you can visit your nearest health center, the dermatology and venereology department at Landspítali, or a specialist doctor.

Gonorrhea is diagnosed with a swab from the urethra, cervix, rectum, or a urine sample.

Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics.

Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. The disease is transmitted through unprotected sex with an infected person. Some people do not develop symptoms, but symptoms of syphilis may include:

• Small and often painless sores that appear on the genitals, anus, or mouth
• Red rashes that appear on the palms or soles of the feet
• Skin growths that resemble warts and may develop on the outer part of the vagina or around the anus
• White spots in the mouth
• Fatigue, headache, joint pain, fever, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck, groin, or armpit

If you suspect you have syphilis, you can visit your nearest health center, the dermatology and venereology department at Landspítali, or a specialist doctor.

Syphilis is diagnosed with a blood test and treated with antibiotics.

It is important to treat the disease, as it can spread to the brain or other parts of the body and cause serious consequences.

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that can lead to AIDS. The virus reduces T-helper cells and thus breaks down the body’s immune system. Those infected with the virus may develop AIDS, but treatment can usually prevent that progression.

The HIV virus is most concentrated in blood, but it is also found in semen, vaginal mucus, and breast milk. The HIV virus is not found in saliva, tears, sweat, or mucus, and these bodily fluids do not transmit the virus between individuals.

HIV can be transmitted through vaginal and anal intercourse. Women are more likely to contract the virus from men than men from women. There is a higher risk of transmission through anal sex than vaginal sex, as the anal mucosa is much more fragile than the vaginal mucosa. Being infected with other STDs increases the likelihood of contracting HIV during intercourse.

Symptoms:

• During the first two weeks after infection, there are no symptoms.
• After 2 to 4 weeks, many experience flu-like symptoms. Many show no symptoms at all. During this period, HIV is highly contagious, as the amount of virus in the blood is high.
• After recovering from the symptoms of the acute infection, there is a period where symptoms are minimal or absent. The immune system is able to keep the infection in check, but HIV slowly continues its work. This period can last from 3 to 20 years if untreated.
• Without treatment, the HIV virus eventually weakens the immune system, leading to the development of AIDS. Untreated AIDS is fatal. Treatment started at this stage can significantly improve the person’s prognosis.

HIV is diagnosed with a blood test. While there is no cure for HIV, there are medications that slow the virus’s progression, improve well-being, extend life expectancy, and reduce the risk of transmission.

If you suspect you may have contracted HIV, it is important to seek help immediately.

Today, HIV-positive individuals who live a healthy life and take their medication as prescribed have similar life expectancy to non-infected individuals. With proper treatment, these individuals should not be contagious.

Genital warts are caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Some strains of HPV can cause cervical cancer, but only two strains cause warts.

Warts appear on the mucous membranes and skin, usually on the outer genitals and around the anus. The warts can cause itching and discomfort.

HPV is transmitted when skin or mucous membrane come into contact with infected skin or mucous membrane. Transmission can occur even if no symptoms are present.

Symptoms of genital warts include:

• Itching and irritation
• Pain during intercourse for women
• Discomfort during urination

Cervical cancer:

Vaccination against HPV is offered at the age of 12.

After age 23, screening for cervical changes is available through the Icelandic Cancer Society.

If you suspect you have genital warts, you can visit your nearest health center, the dermatology and venereology department at Landspítali, or a specialist doctor.

Genital warts are diagnosed through a medical examination. A long time may pass between infection and the appearance of symptoms, even several months.

There is no medication for genital warts, and the warts will eventually disappear on their own, although it may take a long time, even years. The virus that causes the warts does not leave the body, and the warts can reappear.

The The Icelandic Cancer Society website has information on cervical screening.