Donovanosis is considered one of the least common, nearly eliminated, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Australia, with zero cases notified in recent years. Other rare or less common STIs in the country include chancroid and, outside of remote communities, trichomoniasis.
Other less common STIs include:
Chlamydia is the most common STI in Australia, particularly among young people aged 15 to 29.
According to Professor Catriona Bradshaw, a clinician scientist and Head of Research Translation and Mentorship at the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health and School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, “Mycoplasma genitalium is an STI that has resulted in untreatable infections thanks to AMR.”
Now, let's look at the worst STDs to live with in more detail.
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The easiest STD (STI) to get is Human Papillomavirus (HPV), being the most common STI globally, with nearly all sexually active people contracting it at some point, spreading easily through skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex, often with no symptoms, and other very common ones include Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, bacterial infections also easily transmitted and sometimes asymptomatic.
Currently, there are 4 sexually transmitted infections (STIs or STDs) that are not curable: herpes (HSV), hepatitis B (HBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and human papillomavirus (HPV).
In general: It is possible to get some STIs in the mouth or throat after giving oral sex to a partner who has a genital or anal/rectal STI. It is possible to get certain STIs on the genitals and genital areas after receiving oral sex from a partner with a mouth or throat infection.
Chlamydia is known as a “silent” infection because most infected people have no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they may not appear until several weeks after exposure. Even when it causes no symptoms, chlamydia can damage a woman's reproductive organs.
1. Chlamydia. Chlamydia is an infection caused by a type of bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis, and often has few to no symptoms, especially in women. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this is the most commonly reported STI in the U.S., especially in females ages 15-24.
HPV is one of the most common STIs in the world: According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, 85% of people will have contracted at least one type of HPV in their lifetime. The biggest risk from HPV is cervical cancer. In fact, HPV causes more than 90% of all cervical cancers globally.
In 2024: there were 5,866 diagnoses of syphilis in Australia, a doubling in the number of diagnoses over 10 years. congenital syphilis cases more than doubled since 2015, with 34 infant deaths attributed to congenital syphilis in the past decade.
What STDs can have no symptoms?
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection; this means it can be treated with antibiotics. Most people are treated for gonorrhoea with one antibiotic injection (usually into the buttock) and one antibiotic tablet. You then attend a follow up appointment 1-2 weeks after the injection to make sure the Gonorrhoea has gone.
Secondary-stage syphilis commonly causes fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Most people develop sores and a rash, and any body surface can be affected.
The primary reason STIs often go undetected is simple: many don't cause noticeable symptoms. Research from the National Institute of Health confirms this silent epidemic: Chlamydia: Studies across five countries found that between 31.2% to 100% of those with chlamydia reported no symptoms at all.
This is why it is unlikely for chlamydia to be transmitted from mouth-to-penis and penis-to-mouth contact, although it is still possible. It is even less likely for transmission to take place from vagina-to-mouth or anus-to-mouth contact.
The easiest STD (STI) to get is Human Papillomavirus (HPV), being the most common STI globally, with nearly all sexually active people contracting it at some point, spreading easily through skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex, often with no symptoms, and other very common ones include Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, bacterial infections also easily transmitted and sometimes asymptomatic.
[3][4] The 7 most common STIs include 5 curable infections (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomonas) and three incurable but treatable conditions (herpes simplex virus, HIV, and human papillomavirus (HPV).
During the second stage, you may get a rash and experience flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue, fever, sore throat and muscles aches. After the second stage, the symptoms of syphilis are hidden (latent stage). Just because you don't have symptoms doesn't mean the infection is gone.
Girls are most at risk due to their biology and social factors, such as gender inequality or lack of access to healthcare services. Transgender people are also at an increased risk for STIs due to biological factors and the stigma and discrimination they may face when seeking medical care or testing for STIs.
When used correctly, they will protect you from chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis, HIV and hepatitis B. However, condoms don't protect you from all STIs such as herpes, genital warts, syphilis and mpox which can be spread from skin-to-skin contact.
STDs that may show signs and symptoms soon after exposure include herpes and gonorrhea. Chlamydia, which is the most commonly reported sexually transmitted disease, typically has an incubation period between 1-3 weeks; however, chlamydia can remain dormant for years.