Ways of getting an STI
Someone can get an STI through sex and through other ways of transmission.
Transmission through sex
- Through vaginal sex, anal sex or oral sex with someone who has an STI, without using a condom.
- By sharing sex toys without using a condom. For instance: dildo, vibrator. Always use a new condom when a different person uses the sex toy.
- Through contact with blisters (herpes), sores (syphilis) or genital warts on someone’s skin.
Ways of STI transmission: vaginal sex without using a condom
Ways of STI transmission: vaginal sex without using a condom
Ways of STI transmission: anal sex without using a condom
Ways of STI transmission: anal sex without using a condom
Ways of STI transmission: oral sex without using a condom
Ways of STI transmission: oral sex without using a condom
Ways of STI transmission: sharing sex toys without using a condom
Ways of STI transmission: sharing sex toys without using a condom
Transmission in other ways
- A mother with an STI can pass the infection to the foetus, during pregnancy or delivery or when breast-feeding.
- By sharing injection material.
- By sharing your toothbrush (hepatitis B), towels and sheets (pubic lice and scabies) with someone.
- By skin-to-skin contact (lying naked against each other).
Ways of STI transmission: mother breast-feeding her baby
Ways of STI transmission: mother breast-feeding her baby
Ways of STI transmission: sharing injection material
Ways of STI transmission: sharing injection material
Talking to your partner and the doctor
If you have an STI you can infect someone else. Go to the doctor.
Talk to your partner about it and encourage him/her to go to a doctor. You protect yourself this way too. If your partner is not treated, you can become infected again if you have sex without a condom.
Do not have sex during your treatment or use a condom to lower the risk of infecting your partner.
If you have recently had sex with another person, warn him or her too. Then this person can also get tested and treated.
Couple talking.
More information or help needed?
Family doctor
You can talk to a family doctor about almost every intimate issue. If necessary the family doctor can refer you to a specialised health professional. Find a family doctor in your neighbourhood:
Community health centre (wijkgezondheidscentrum)
You can visit a family doctor in a community health centre. Other care professionals such as nurses and social workers also work at community health centres. Care is provided free of charge. Find a community health centre in your neighbourhood:
CAW - Centrum Algemeen Welzijn
Centre for general well-being - Help with all kinds of issues: a difficult relationship, medical, financial, administrative, legal or material problems, family problems,... CAWs also provide assistance to victims of violence and abuse. Find a CAW in your neighbourhood:
Elisa Centrum - UMC Saint-Pierre
Anonymous and free HIV and STI testing
02 535 30 03
Helpcenter ITG
Help with HIV and sexual health issues. Free and anonymous STI and HIV testing.
03 216 02 88
S clinic - UMC Saint-Pierre
STI testing and treatment
02 535 37 32
Centre S (Sida Sol)
HIV and STI testing
04 287 67 00
Dokters van de wereld - Antwerpen
Free medical care - Free counselling and HIV testing (no appointment needed), every day between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
03 231 36 41
Dokters van de wereld - Brussel
Free medical care
02 225 43 00
Dokters van de wereld - La Louvière
Free medical care
S.A.S.E.R.
Service de Santé Affective Sexuelle et de Réduction des Risques (Sexual Health Service and Risk Reduction) - Anonymous and free STI and HIV testing
081 77 68 20
SIDA-I.S.T. Charleroi-Mons
AIDS-STI Charleroi-Mons - Free and anonymous STI and HIV testing
071 92 54 10