A sexually transmitted infection (STI) is an infection that can be transmitted from one person to another through sexual contact (exchange of semen, vaginal fluids, blood or other body fluids).
A blood-borne infection is transmitted through contact with infected blood.
To reduce the risk of contracting sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs), it is advisable to:
- Limit your number of sexual and injection drug use partners;
- Know your sexual or injection drug use partners' medical history (infections or communicable diseases);
- Inform your sexual partners if you have a sexually transmitted or blood-borne infection and make sure they are being tested and treated;
- Have safe sex;
- Never share injection drug use equipment with other partners;
- Make sure that you have tattoo and body piercing done with sterile equipment;
- Have regular medical check-ups;
- Talk to a health care provider about the vaccines available to protect you against certain diseases (hepatitis and human papillomavirus);
- Contact AIDS New Brunswick for information, support or a disposable needle exchange program.
Anyone wishing to talk to a health professional about STBBIs can call:
- Their family physician;
- Their nurse practitioner;
- Tele-Care 811;
- The New Brunswick HIV/AIDS information line (1-800-561-4009).
For more information:
- Sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs)
- Monkeypox
- AIDS New Brunswick
- https://www.sexandu.ca/stis/