STD

Young People and Sexually Transmitted Diseases & Infections STD - Youthlaw Tino Rangatiratanga Taitamariki

(Last updated Feb 2010)

What are STDs and STIs?
How do you catch them?
What are the symptoms?
What should I do if I think I have a STD/STI?
Where can I go to have the test?
How much will it cost?
What will happen?
Do the clinics have to tell my parents?
Do I have to tell my partner?
What will happen if I don't get treated?
How can I protect myself?
Some Useful Numbers

What are sexually transmitted diseases and infections?

Many diseases can be spread through sexual contact. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and infections (STIs) are used to describe a type of illness that is only or commonly spread by sexual contact. Some of these are minor infections, which can be easily cured. Some are more serious, and if left untreated can cause infertility or, in the case of HIV/AIDS, even death.

How do you catch them?

You can catch STD/STI’s by having unprotected sex (sex without using condoms) with a person who is infected with a STD/STI. You can't catch them through social (dry) kissing, holding hands, toilet seats or eating together. However, for more detailed information you should check out the websites below:

There is heaps of information about STD/STIs for young people on the Ministry of Health "Hubba Hubba" website. You can also find lots of information about HIV or AIDS from the NZ Aids Foundation website.

If you want telephone advice about HIV or AIDS, you can phone the AIDS Hotline Freephone

0800 80 AIDS (2347)or Auckland 09 358 0099.

What are the symptoms?
Common symptoms of STD/STI’s are:

Excessive or unusual discharge from your sex organs;

Pain or burning feeling when going to the toilet;

Itching or redness of sex organs;

Sores or lumps on your sex organs;

Pain in your tummy.

Some STD/STI’s have no symptoms at all. You may be carrying the virus without knowing. Some people have HIV for months or even years without knowing it and they appear perfectly healthy. This is why it is important to always practice 'safe sex' as you cannot tell whether you or your partner has an STD/STI just by looking at them.

What should I do if I think I have a STI?
If you are worried that you may have a STD/STI, you should seek help. Some STD/STI’s, if left untreated, may do permanent damage to your health.

Think about having a test if you've had unprotected sex, especially if it was with someone you don't know very well, or with someone who has a STD/STI. If you are worried that you might have a STD/STI, go and have a test. It will put your mind at ease.

However, if you are thinking about having a test for HIV/AIDS, you should think very carefully and get counselling first at a Family Planning Centre or at a Sexual Health Clinic. The counsellor will explain the purpose of the test and help you work out whether you really want to have it.

If you have an STD/STI or think you might have one, the law says you should get treated. If you don’t, you might[1] be breaking the law. If you know you have an STD/STI and give it to someone else, you might be convicted of an offence. This could mean that you have to pay a fine of up to $1000 and/or maybe go to prison for up to a year. If you have HIV/AIDS and pass it on, you could be charged with a more serious offence, such as causing serious harm to your partner’s body. The maximum penalty for this is 7 years in prison.

Where can I go to have the test?
Most hospitals have a Sexual Health Clinic. Phone numbers of the Auckland clinics are given at the end of this Information Sheet; in other areas, phone your nearest hospital.

Family Planning Centres can also give STD/STI tests. To find out where your nearest centre is, see the list at the end of this information sheet.

At some centres you may have to make an appointment, so it is a good idea to phone first to set a time to see a doctor. There is no age limit, and you can ask to see either a woman or a man doctor. You can use the clinics for treatment, advice, or if you just want to talk to someone.

Your family doctor can take STD/STI tests. If you do not have a doctor or there is no clinic in your area, contact your public health nurse or your school counsellor. They will be able to tell you who to see.

How much will it cost?
The tests are usually free at Sexual Health Clinics, Family Planning Centres and through ProCare Doctors.

What will happen?
Firstly, a doctor or nurse will talk to you about your problem. They will ask why you came, and about what kind of sex you are having, because this may help them to find out what kind of test you will need. Tell the doctor or nurse what kind of symptoms you have had, if any.

You will then be given an examination. The doctor will explain what they are going to do, and why they are going to do it. If there is anything you want to know about the examination, ask! The doctor will examine your sex organs for sores or rashes, and may take swabs. Blood or urine samples may also be necessary.

Sometimes the doctor will be able to tell you right away whether you have a STD/STI, what STD/STI you have got, and give you some medicine or a prescription to treat it. Generally, though, you will be asked to return after a few days to get the results of your tests. This is very important.
Most centres are able to arrange for counselling for you and your partner, if you think you need it. They can also give you information about how to prevent STD/STI’s.

Do the clinics have to tell my parents?
According to the law, the doctor must tell your parents, guardians or carers if you are under 16 and have a STD/STI, unless the doctor thinks it would not benefit your health or wellbeing to tell them.

Generally, the doctor will recognise that young people have a right to confidentiality. But they may encourage you to discuss your problem with your parents or the people who look after you.

Do I have to tell my partner?
If you know you have an STD/STI and still have unprotected sex without telling your partner, you could be breaking the law. If you are in a relationship it is important that your partner is treated as well, or you will keep infecting each other. If you know you have HIV/AIDS and you infect your partner, you could be convicted of a criminal offence, because you have caused serious harm to someone else’s body.

It is also a good idea to tell any people you have had sex with since you became infected, so that they can seek treatment. If you do not want to tell them the STD/STI clinic or doctor might do so. If your partner does not know, the STD/STI is likely to be passed on to other people.

What will happen if I don't get treated?
Young people often feel embarrassed about having STD/STI's but it is important to get over this and get treatment.

Anyone who has sex without using condoms is at risk of getting a STD/STI (unless both partners are having sex for the first time). If you are unlucky and get infected, be sensible and get yourself treated!

At the very least, you will risk infecting everyone you have sexual contact with. The STD/STI may continue to get worse, or may go away for a while then reappear, often more seriously. At worst, some STD/STI’s can cause women to become infertile, and some, like syphilis and AIDS may cause death.

Since the consequences of not being treated may be very serious, it is better to have the test if you are worried, and get treatment.

How can I protect myself?
You can lower the risk of getting STD/STI’s by practising safe sex. Both the Ministry of Health "Hubba Hubba" website and the NZ Aids Foundation website have information on safe sex. If you want to find out more about safe sex, talk to your family doctor, or go to a Sexual Health Clinic or Family Planning Centre. They will be able to tell you about methods of contraception, and answer your queries.

Some Useful Numbers

Stay Safe NZ
Sexual Health Clinics NZ
NZ Sexual Health Society

Stay Safe NZ

Sexual Health Clinics NZ

NZ Sexual Health Society

Sexual Health Clinics
For a list of clinics around New Zealand, click here or call 0800 739 432.

◊Tests

Ministry of Health
Health Education Resource list
Health Ed

New Zealand Aids Foundation
31 -35 Hargreaves St, College Hill,
Ponsonby, PO Box 6663, Wellesley St
Auckland
Ph (09) 303-3124
AIDS Hotline Freephone 0800 80 AIDS (2347)Other areas: look in the phone book or call your local hospital.
(24 hr information and referral service)

ProCare Health
Services & resources - cervical screening & other sexual health services
Find a PRO Care doctor

Family Planning Clinics:
Clinic Services

New Zealand Resident
21 years or under	FREE
With Community Services Card (22 years or over)	$5.00
Without Community Services Card (22 years or over)	$22.50

Clinic Fees

www.theword.org.nz is a youth website dedicated to the education of teenagers and thier feelings around the concept of sex.

YouthLaw	Latest page update: made by YouthLaw , Feb 25 2010, 8:06 PM EST (about this update About This Update Edited by YouthLaw 2 words deleted view changes - complete history)
	Keyword tags: clinics that can help symptoms for STD what is STD? More Info: links to this page