Sexual Health Victoria has launched a new health campaign, Unusual Discharge?, which hopes to break down stigma and speak to young queer people about getting tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as syphilis and gonorrhoea.
Do you have an unusual discharge? Well, guess what, you’re not alone.
It’s not the norm that a ride on public transport gets you thinking about your sexual health, but with Victoria having free public transport in April, that’s about to change.
Sexual Health Victoria (SHV) has launched Unusual Discharge?, a bold new campaign that speaks the language of queer sexual health: direct, inclusive, stigma-busting, and grounded in real-world experiences.
Around Victoria, you’ll start noticing buses, billboards, and digital screens at train stations carrying messages designed to get the queer community, young people, and the young-at-heart thinking about getting tested.
Because STIs are on the rise.
Does the word ‘discharge’ make you squirm?
If the word ‘discharge’ makes people squirm, that’s the intent of SHV’s campaign.
Caroline Mulcahy, CEO of SHV, says the goal of the Unusual Discharge? campaign is to “challenge apathy and break the silence, to reduce stigma, and motivate Victorians to move from passive awareness to taking a simple STI test — often a quick blood test, urine sample or a self-collected swab.”
What is even more ‘squirm-worthy’ is the reasons behind the campaign: since 2021, gonorrhoea infections have surged 52% in Victoria.
Chlamydia, the most common STI, has risen 28% since 2021, with over 22,000 cases reported in the last 12 months in Victoria.
Alarmingly, in that time, late-stage syphilis diagnoses have jumped 65% in Victoria.
Syphilis is sometimes asymptomatic, and can masquerade as other, more minor illnesses – but left untreated, it can have serious neurological and cardiac impacts, including long-term organ damage.
“Protecting yourself, getting tested, and treating infections early helps keep you and your partners healthy,” said Victoria’s Deputy Chief Health Officer for Communicable Disease Christian McGrath.
“If you’re having sex, then you should have a regular STI test at least once a year – it’s that simple.”
Unusual Discharge Campaign on. billboard at a train stationImage: Supplied
STIs are spreading, but testing isn’t keeping up
When STI resting is down, infections rise, and it’s the perfect storm for future outbreaks.
It’s often assumed there’s a big awareness about STIs across the queer community, but from generation to generation, access to knowledge and awareness has shifted and changed.
But syphilis and gonorrhoea infections have more than doubled nationally over the past decade.
“The public response isn’t matching the scale of the problem, so we are literally putting this health issue up in lights,” said Mulcahy
“STIs are incredibly common and rising. Too many Victorians are looking the other way, and that must stop,”
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The Australian Study of Health and Relationships survey results indicate that only 16% of Australians have ever had an STI test.
Treatments for early STI detection are relatively straightforward, so regular testing helps avoid nasty complications.
When infections are found early, treatment is straightforward.
“Make a booking with SHV or your GP,” urged Mulcahy, “Most STIs are curable; all STIs have treatments, so let’s stop beating around the bush.”
Free and confidential STI testing in Victoria is widely available at sexual health clinics, GPs, and community health centres.
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