Let’s Talk About Sexually Transmitted Infections

It’s totally normal to feel a bit nervous about thinking or talking about STIs. But knowing the symptoms and how they’re passed on can actually make things feel less scary and give you more confidence to look after yourself and your partners.

When it comes to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), there’s often a lot of confusion about what’s what. Are they bacterial, viral, or something else entirely? And why does that matter? The answer is important, because it helps us understand which STIs are curable, which can be managed but not eliminated, and which need specific prevention strategies. At Sage Sexology, I believe knowledge is one of the best tools we have for protecting our health and reducing stigma. Let’s break down the main types of STIs—bacterial, viral, and parasitic—in a way that’s clear, practical, and easy to remember.

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Bacterial STIs (usually curable with antibiotics)

    • Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis)

    • Gonorrhoea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae)

    • Syphilis (Treponema pallidum)

    • Mycoplasma genitalium (M. genitalium)

    • Chancroid (Haemophilus ducreyi)

    • Granuloma inguinale (Donovanosis) (Klebsiella granulomatis)

    • Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) (a subtype of Chlamydia trachomatis)

Parasitic STIs (curable with medications)

  • Trichomoniasis (Trichomonas vaginalis, a protozoan parasite)

  • Pubic lice (crabs) (Pthirus pubis)

  • Scabies (Sarcoptes scabiei mite, can be sexually transmitted through skin contact)

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Viral STIs (Some are  curable, and others manageable)

    • HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

    • Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 & HSV-2)

    • Human Papillomavirus (HPV) – some strains cause genital warts, others linked to cancers

    • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) – preventable by vaccine

    • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) – sometimes sexually transmitted, curable with antivirals

    • Molluscum contagiosum (poxvirus, usually clears on its own)

 

    • Bacteria → curable with antibiotics.

    • Viruses → not curable, but suppressible; vaccines exist for some.

    • Parasites → curable with antiparasitic meds or topical treatments.

Sexual health clinics offer free and cheap services and information. Click here for a list of sexual health clinics in Australia. If you would like to talk about your concerns or recent diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection with me, let’s connect.