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Governance Annual Snapshot Reconciliation Action Plan Disability Access and Inclusion Plan Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan Professional Accountability Program Research Services Office Researchers and sponsors Research participants Clinical trials Grants and funding News and events Clinical Strategy Strategic Ambition Consumer Strategy Aboriginal Employment Strategy Research Strategy Concerns about your care Informed consent Consumer experience Consumer partnering Compliments and complaints Your rights as a patient Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

About sexually transmitted infections

Sexually transmissible infections – or STIs – are infections that can be passed on through vaginal, anal or oral sex.

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Most STIs are transmitted in sexual fluids, but some can be passed on from skin-to-skin genital contact. They can be caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites.

Most STIs have no symptoms and you might never know you have been infected with one. But if you do get symptoms, the most common ones are pain when peeing, sores or blisters, genital lumps, discharge from your vagina or penis, pelvic pain or unusual vaginal bleeding. 

All sexually active people are at risk of STI’s. It’s important to get tested even if you have no symptoms.

What conditions are STIs?

STIs and related conditions include:

People most at risk

While all people who are sexually active are at risk of STI's, some are deemed more at risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection than others.

Anyone who trades sex for money, goods or services is welcome to attend Adelaide Sexual Health Centre at any time. We offer discrete and confidential clinical services for all sex workers.

All services are free. No Medicare card is required and you do not need to use your real name.

A quiet, safe space is available for sex workers while attending the clinic.

We have free and confidential phone interpreters available in all languages.

You can make an appointment by phoning (08) 7117 2800, or you can just walk in; whatever suits you best.

International sex workers are welcome. The service is free and confidential for everyone.

For information on STIs in Thai, Chinese and other languages, see NSW STI Programs Unit patient resources.

I am a sex worker – when should I have a check-up?

We recommend regular STI/HIV testing while you are working in the sex industry. Anyone trading sex for money, goods or services, should have an STI check-up about every three months, after a condom break with a client, or if a certificate of testing (“pink slip”) is required by your workplace. It’s also a good idea to have a check-up after travelling interstate or overseas for work in the sex industry.

How do I protect myself from STIs, hepatitis and HIV while trading sex?

We recommend 100% condom use during sex work, for oral, vaginal and anal sex, and when using sex toys. Oral sex is very low risk for HIV, but can easily transmit other STIs, such as gonorrhoea, syphilis, chlamydia and herpes, so condom use is also recommended for oral sex.
 

Vaccinations can prevent several STIs, including hepatitis B, hepatitis A and HPV (human papillomavirus). Free hepatitis B vaccination is available at Adelaide Sexual Health Centre, and we can help you decide if you also need vaccination for hepatitis A or HPV.

Regular testing will also keep you safe, by finding and treating infections early.

Needle and syringe exchange is also available at Adelaide Sexual Health Centre.

Further information, affordable safer sex products and peer support can be found at SIN (Sex Industry Network). SIN also offers a testing buddy program, if you would like support during your visit to Adelaide Sexual Health Centre.

We provide a safe, non-judgemental and free service for men who have sex with men, gay identifying, or bisexual men. We recommend screening for STIs at least once a year. If you fall into one or more of the categories below then more frequent screening, such as every 3 months, is recommended

  • more than 10 sexual partners in six months
  • participate in group sex
  • use recreational drugs during sex
  • are HIV-positive.

We recommend testing even if you have no symptoms. Gonorrhoea and chlamydia in the throat and rectum can often have no symptoms; testing is important regardless of symptoms as their presence can increase your chances of being infected with HIV, or passing it on if you already have it.

We also recommend you discuss PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (post exposure prophylaxis) against HIV infection with us; just ask if you’re interested.

PEP is available during clinic opening hours, as is PrEP, but in some cases we may recommend you visit your GP for PrEP care as our service can be very busy. Please phone us for more advice; were happy to discuss this over the phone.

We also have free hepatitis B vaccine available in the clinic for all, and hepatitis A and Gardasil vaccinations for certain groups.

Adelaide Sexual Health Centre welcomes you to walk in for a screen, or discuss symptoms any time, no appointment is necessary.

For more information, see STI testing.

Transgender and all people from the gender diverse community are always welcome at Adelaide Sexual Health Centre. You can receive STI testing and treatment that is highly confidential and free, and no Medicare card is required.

If you have questions about hormone therapy, transitioning and counselling, our doctors and nurses can help and will point you in the right direction for services that can help you further.

The Trans Health SA website contains useful information on transgender and gender diverse services and resources in South Australia.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are welcome to attend Adelaide Sexual Health Centre at any time. The service is highly confidential, free and non-judgemental.

You will be asked some questions on arrival to help us work out how best to help you. If you do not feel comfortable answering these questions, that is OK, just let a staff member know.

We recommend testing every year for STI’s and more frequently if you change partners or have other risks.

We welcome people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, international students, new migrants, refugees and people who speak English as their second language.

We recommend STI testing on arrival and can help work out your HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B status, and refer you for further follow up for hepatitis B, if needed. We can also offer you free vaccination for hepatitis B. 

You will be asked some questions on arrival to help us work out how best to help you. If you do not feel comfortable answering these questions, that is OK, just let a staff member know.

We can arrange a confidential interpreter for your visit. This will be over the phone and is free for you.

We recommend you view the website of PEACE Multicultural Services for more information on HIV and hepatitis or All Good for information in your language.

We recommend young people get an STI check up every year, or more often if changing partners regularly.

We can offer you free, confidential and fast STI screening and you don’t need to bring a Medicare card.

Even if you have no symptoms we recommend testing once a year or more regularly if you change partners or have other risks. Chlamydia is common in young people and testing is as easy as a swab you take yourself or a pee test.

For more information on testing for STI’s in young people see the Play Safe website.

Free needle and syringe sites

Hepatitis SA's peer staffed harm reduction sites offer needle and syringe vending machines and other supplies.

Learn more

Preventing STIs

If you are sexually active, the best way to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) starts with safe sex. Other ways of preventing STIs include:

Safe sex means not allowing your partner’s body fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluids) into your body and vice versa.

It also means covering or avoiding contact with, parts of the body that might be infectious (for example herpes ulcers or warts).

When used correctly, condoms in combination with a water based lubricant will reduce the risk of many STIs during vaginal, anal or oral sex. Latex gloves also provide barrier protection for sexual activity involving fingers and dental dams can be used to protect against STIs during oral sex.

For more information on how to avoid an STI, see the following web pages:

Regular STI check-ups are critical in reducing STI transmission. If you are sexually active, it is recommended that you have an STI check-up even if you have no symptoms:

  • at least once a year
  • every time you change partners
  • if you believe you have come in contact with a person who has an STI
  • if you develop symptoms

For the national recommendations on testing guidelines:

Some vaccinations may be recommended to help protect you against STIs. Currently SA Health is offering free vaccines for those deemed at risk. Current vaccines available include:

  • hepatitis A vaccine — for men who have sex with men and those at risk catching hepatitis A through sex.
  • hepatitis B vaccine through the High Risk Hepatitis B Immunisation Program for all Adelaide Sexual Health Centre clients
  • human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine — for men who have sex with men aged 20 to 26 years old.

Contact Adelaide Sexual Health Centre or speak to your nurse/doctor for more information.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

Pre-exposure prophylaxis, also known as PrEP is a way for people to reduce their chances of contracting HIV by having sex or sharing needles. An oral medication that is currently taken by HIV positive people is now being offered to HIV negative people to reduce their chances of transmission. Adelaide Sexual Health Centre or General Practitioners can provide PrEP consultations for clients.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

PEP for HIV is a four week treatment that may prevent you from becoming infected if you have been exposed to HIV. It consists of a 28 day course of antiretroviral medications and must be started within 72 hours of the risk exposure. For more information on HIV PEP see the human immunodeficiency virus post exposure prophylaxis web page.

HIV positive people

For HIV positive people, HIV treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART) prevents illness and complications developing from HIV and also prevents HIV being passed to other people. HIV positive people who are taking ART regularly and have had undetectable viral blood test results for six month do not transmit HIV. For more information see Ending HIV 2020 website. 

Testing for STIs

In order to work out if you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI), the doctor or nurse will recommend various types of tests. We will ask questions about your sexual activity and symptoms, if any, to help us decide which tests are suitable. Testing can include a combination of any of the following tests:

An examination of the genital area to test or look for:

  • genital warts
  • pubic lice or ‘crabs’
  • scabies
  • balanitis (males)
  • molluscum contagiosum
  • rashes, dermatological conditions and other ulcers or lesions affecting the genital area

Swabs may be taken to test or look for:

  • chlamydia
  • gonorrhoea
  • vaginal candidiasis or ‘thrush’ (females)
  • trichomoniasis (females)
  • bacterial vaginosis (females)
  • non specific urethritis (males)
  • herpes (only if symptoms are present–not part of a routine check-up)
  • mycoplasma genitalium 

Blood tests may be taken to test or look for:

  • human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
  • hepatitis B
  • hepatitis C
  • syphilis
  • hepatitis A

Urine Tests may be taken to test or look for:

  • chlamydia
  • gonorrhoea
  • mycoplasma genitalium

Does your current or past sexual partner have an STI?

If you’ve been told that your current or past sexual partner has an STI, it is important that you visit Adelaide Sexual Health Centre, a sexual health centre or your local doctor as soon as possible for testing and treatment.

Even if you have no symptoms it is important to be tested and treated, in order to stop you spreading an STI to someone else.  

At Adelaide Sexual Health Centre we can offer you free testing and treatment on the same day.

This page was last updated 20 May 2025.

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