今日吃瓜

It鈥檚 one of those topics that always hovers 鈥� sometimes loudly, sometimes quietly 鈥� in the background of queer conversations: regular sexual health testing.聽

One in six Australians will contract a sexually transmissible infection (STI) in their lifetime, yet generations of stigma still keeps many of us from talking openly about sexual health.

But right now, Australia needs that conversation more than ever.聽

The , announced at the Australasian HIV&AIDS Conference in September this year, showed that over the past decade HIV diagnoses have declined, but syphilis and gonorrhoea diagnoses have more than doubled, and chlamydia diagnoses remain high.

These are not just statistics on a spreadsheet. Behind the data are real people, communities, and families.聽

It鈥檚 time to strip back the shame and talk honestly about what鈥檚 going on, how to protect ourselves, and why regular sexual health check-ups are essential for everyone.

Australia鈥檚 sexual health snapshot

The Kirby Institute鈥檚 report paints a mixed picture. In 2024, there were 5,866 diagnoses of syphilis, double the number recorded 10 years ago. Gonorrhoea cases also doubled, while chlamydia remains Australia鈥檚 most commonly diagnosed STI.聽

鈥淪exually transmissible infections can be passed on to others, but in most instances can be easily treated,鈥� said Dr Skye McGregor, lead author of the Kirby report. 鈥淗owever, if left untreated, they can cause serious long-term health concerns.鈥�

Only 16 per cent of Australians aged 16鈥�49 have ever been tested for an STI, and just half have discussed sexual health with a General Practitioner (GP), according to recent analysis from the Australian Survey of Health and Relationships.

鈥淥n a backdrop of rising STIs, these data are concerning,鈥� Dr McGregor said. 鈥淐hlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis are easily treated and cured with antibiotics. Early testing, diagnosis and treatment prevent serious outcomes.鈥�

What syphilis is 鈥� and why rising rates is a serious concern

Syphilis is a bacterial infection spread through sexual contact 鈥� oral, vaginal, or anal 鈥� and can also pass through kissing if sores are present. It usually starts as a painless sore and may later cause rashes, fever, or swollen glands 鈥� but it can also have no symptoms. If untreated, syphilis can progress for years and lead to serious complications affecting the heart, brain, and nervous system.

In pregnancy, untreated syphilis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or congenital syphilis, where the infection passes from parent to baby. Congenital syphilis has more than doubled since 2015, with 34 infant deaths recorded over the past decade 鈥� more than half among First Nations infants.

Because of these alarming trends, Professor Michael Kidd AO, Australia鈥檚 Chief Medical Officer, declared syphilis a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance in 2025.聽

鈥淏y raising awareness among Australians 鈥� including healthcare professionals 鈥� we will help ensure more people get tested and treated for syphilis, so we can stop the spread of the disease,鈥� he stated in this declaration.

Syphilis: The symptoms to look out for

Syphilis is known as 鈥渢he great imitator鈥� because its symptoms often resemble other illnesses 鈥� or sometimes don鈥檛 appear at all.

Many people experience no symptoms at all, which is why regular testing is essential. Even when symptoms fade, the infection can remain in your body and cause damage later.

While anyone who鈥檚 sexually active can get syphilis, infection rates are higher among:

• Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men
• Women of reproductive age (rates have quadrupled in the past decade)
• First Nations people, especially in regional and remote areas
• Infants born to people with untreated syphilis during pregnancy

Rates of STI among First Nations people remain particularly high 鈥� more than five times higher than in non-Indigenous Australians. 鈥淲hat鈥檚 needed now is real investment in culturally safe, community-driven health promotion, testing and treatment,鈥� said Robert Monaghan, Manager of the Yandamanjang First Nations Health Research Program at the Kirby Institute.

STI testing: quick, simple, and confidential

An STI test is usually a urine or blood sample, sometimes a self-collected swab. It鈥檚 discreet, quick, and in most cases free or low-cost.

You can get tested at:

• Your GP
• Sexual health or community health clinics
• Aboriginal community health services
• Family planning, youth, or women鈥檚 health centres
• Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, for urgent STI testing situations

For most sexually active people, testing every six to twelve months is recommended but this may be more frequent depending on individual circumstances. For example, every three months for sexually active men who have sex with men or anyone with multiple partners. You should speak with your healthcare provider to determine the testing frequency that鈥檚 right for you.

Treatment and prevention of STIs

The good news is that syphilis is entirely curable. A simple course of antibiotics 鈥� usually a penicillin injection 鈥� clears the infection completely. But because you can be infected with syphilis more than once, regular testing remains crucial.

All STIs are treatable, but if left untreated, they can lead to serious health consequences. So, both regular sexual health testing and safe sex practises are important for your health and wellbeing.聽

Safe sex practises include:

• Use condoms or dental dams during oral, vaginal, and anal sex.
• Use water or silicone-based lubricants to stop condoms from breaking.
• Get tested before starting new sexual relationships, and encourage partners to do the same.

Condoms dramatically reduce risk but can鈥檛 prevent every infection, since some infections like syphilis can spread through skin-to-skin contact.

For some men who have sex with men, Doxy PEP 鈥� a dose of doxycycline taken within 72 hours after sex 鈥� can reduce bacterial STI risk, especially syphilis and chlamydia.聽

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can also be appropriate for some people at risk of HIV. Talk to your doctor or local sexual health clinic .

Why regular sexual health testing empowers us all

LGBTQIA+ communities have long led the way in sexual-health advocacy. From HIV activism to PrEP education, we鈥檝e proven that care, visibility, and knowledge save lives. Reframing STI testing as part of queer self-care 鈥� not shame 鈥� continues that legacy.

Testing isn鈥檛 about blame 鈥� it鈥檚 about empowerment. It鈥檚 about knowing your body, protecting your partners, and looking out for your community.

As Dr McGregor puts it: 鈥淚t鈥檚 important that everyone who is sexually active discusses sexual health with their partners, practises safe sex, has regular STI testing, and talks to their healthcare provider about their sexual health.鈥�

That conversation could literally save a life. And it might be the nudge your partner, lover, housemate, or best mate needs to book their own check-up.

Getting tested is quick, private, and often free, and many clinics provide gender-affirming and safe care that is culturally safe for LGBTQIA+ people. If you鈥檙e nervous, bring a friend or loved one 鈥� solidarity and unconditional support makes everything easier.

The bottom line on sexual health?

It鈥檚 vital to prioritise your sexual health 鈥� it is not just fundamental to your overall health and well-being, it鈥檚 also a shared responsibility between yourself and those you care about. Let鈥檚 normalise this conversation by speaking openly and honestly, and supporting regular sexual health testing without judgement or stigma.

So, make STI testing your Beforeplay, because taking charge of your sexual health is one of the most radical, loving things you can do for yourself, your partner, and your community.

To learn more about your sexual health and getting tested, visit .

In partnership with the Australian Government.