Learn More (STI's)

If you are having unprotected sex, unless both you and your partner had never had sex with anyone else before, you are potentially at risk of a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

There are a number of sexually transmitted infections and most are easy to treat. However, some, such as HIV, are of course far more serious and so it is vital that you protect yourself by using condoms when you have sex if you are at any risk of contracting an STI.

Below we describe the symptoms of the most common STIs and how they can be treated, or managed. But not all STIs have symptoms - if the infections are left untreated many can cause problems in later life. When it comes to STIs the saying ‘prevention is better than cure' couldn’t be more true.

Chlamydia

What is it?

Chlamydia is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection and is easily treated.

How is it transmitted?

Chlamydia is transmitted through vaginal, oral or anal sex with an infected partner.

What are the symptoms?

Very often, women and men infected with chlamydia show no symptoms at all. Women may have a vaginal discharge and abdominal pain and men may have a discharge from the penis and a burning pain when urinating.

Why treat?

Left untreated, chlamydia can cause serious problems in the short and long-term for both men and women. In women, chlamydia left untreated can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which in turn can lead to infertility. Women can also pass the infection to their unborn baby, potentially causing conjunctivitis (sticky eyes) or pneumonia.

What should I do if I think I may have it?

If you think you may have chlamydia or you have had sex with someone who has chlamydia, make an appointment with your doctor or your local Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) clinic to have tests.

Treatment

Treatment is usually with antibiotics and is straightforward. It is also very important that you tell your partner(s) so you can be treated at the same time to prevent re-infection.

Genital herpes

What is it?

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted virus and is part of the same family of virus (Herpes simplex virus) that causes cold sores on the mouth or face.

How is it transmitted?

Genital herpes is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact and this is most often through the mouth and genitals. It can be transmitted even if there are no symptoms.

What are the symptoms?

Many people who have the virus are unaware that they have it. Symptoms, if they do appear, can appear within days of infection, or months.

Symptoms of genital herpes include sores, blisters and cuts; tingling or burning in the genital area; and flu-like symptoms (including headaches, aches and pains and a fever).

Why treat?

When you have an outbreak of genital herpes, the virus is active but even when the symptoms fade this does not mean you no longer have the virus, just that the virus is lying dormant. There is no cure for the herpes simplex virus, but there are various treatments that can help to speed up healing of the outbreak. They can also help reduce the number of outbreaks you have.

What should I do if I think I have it?

If you think you may have genital herpes, make an appointment with your doctor or your local Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinic to have tests.

Treatment

Treatment is straightforward, with one of a number of drugs that are available in different formulations eg. tablets or cream. Your doctor will be able to recommend which of the available options would be most suitable for you depending on whether it is your first episode or a subsequent one.

Genital warts

What is it?

Genital warts are caused by infection with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

How is it transmitted?

Genital warts are transmitted through skin-to-skin contact with an infected partner.

What are the symptoms?

Genital warts look like lumps or growths and can be raised or flat, single or multiple. They can be white or flesh-coloured and do not usually itch. Genital warts can be found in and around the vagina in women and on the penis and scrotum in men. In men and women, genital warts can appear on and around the anus.

Why treat?

When you have genital warts that you can see, the virus is active but even when you don’t it does not mean you no longer have the virus, just that the virus is lying dormant. There is no cure for the virus; however, there are various treatments that can remove visible warts. This makes it more comfortable. Treatments may not eliminate the virus and it can still be possible to transmit the virus to your sexual partner after treatment.

What should I do if I think I have it?

If you think you have genital warts, make an appointment with your doctor or your local GUM clinic to have tests.

Treatment

There are many different types of treatment and whilst they might sound uncomfortable, they are not as bad as they sound. Genital warts can be ‘frozen’ off with liquid nitrogen, or a chemical can be applied to the warts to remove them. Your doctor could either cut the warts off, burn them off with an electrical current or remove them with a laser. You can also have a cream prescribed by your doctor for you to apply at home.

Gonorrhoea (The Clap)

What is it?

Gonorrhoea (also called ‘The Clap’) is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection and is easily treated.

How is it transmitted?

Gonorrhoea is transmitted through vaginal, oral or anal sex with an infected partner.

What are the symptoms?

Men usually show symptoms within 10 days of being infected and if women do show symptoms (which is rare), these usually show up too within 10 days of being infected. In men, they often have a discharge from their penis and a pain when urinating. Women may have a discharge from their vagina and sometimes lower abdominal pain.

Why treat?

In women, gonorrhoea left untreated can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which in turn can lead to infertility. In men, if the infection is left untreated, it can lead to inflammation of the testicles, which can lead to sterility.

What should I do if I think I have it?

If you think you have the symptoms of gonorrhoea, make an appointment with your doctor or your local GUM clinic to have tests.

Treatment

Treatment is usually with antibiotics and is straightforward. It is also very important that you tell your partner(s) so you can be treated at the same time to prevent re-infection.

HIV and AIDS

What is it?

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a sexually transmitted virus.

How is it transmitted?

HIV is transmitted through vaginal, oral or anal sex with a partner who is already infected. It can also be transmitted through direct contact with infected blood, through receiving an infected blood transfusion and from an infected mother to her baby.

What are the symptoms?

For most people, infection with HIV is not accompanied by any symptoms. HIV infection can progress to the development of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

How do I know if I have it?

The only way to be sure that you have an HIV infection is to have a blood test. The blood test for HIV infection tests for antibodies to the virus (your body’s defence mechanism to the infection), so you can only be tested for HIV three months after you believe you may have been exposed to the virus.

Treatment

There are a lot of treatments available for HIV and, even though not cures, the sooner the treatment starts the better as this is a life-threatening infection. Even if you don’t feel ill now, there are steps your doctor can take to keep you in good health.