Sexually Transmitted Infections

You can’t look at someone and tell that they have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Anyone who is having sex could have one. Although usually passed on through unprotected sexual intercourse (anal or vaginal), they can also be caught through oral sex and sometimes genital contact as well. They are very common so reduce the risk of getting an STI by using a condom if you’re going to have sexual intercourse or a condom or dental dam if you’re having oral sex. But don’t panic, they can all be treated and the most common ones cured. Click here to find clinics that can offer you information, support and treatment.

If you’re having sex, try to reduce your risks by always using condoms and you may never get an STI.

Common signs of an infection are:

• Itching, rashes, lumps, sores, blisters or ulcers on or around your penis or vagina
• Pain or discomfort when you pee
• Blood in your urine
• Unusual discharge from your vagina or penis
• Pain in your lower abdomen
• Pain, discomfort or bleeding when you have sex

BUT Often people don’t get symptoms!

• Many people only find out they have a STI after having a check-up. Women especially often have no symptoms at all.

If you’ve had some kind of unprotected sex and think you might be at risk of having an STI go along to a GUM (sexual health or genito-urinary medicine) clinic where you can be checked out. The quicker you get treated the quicker you can stop feeling worried.

Click here to find out more about visiting a GUM clinic and to watch a short video clip.

Chlamydia

• Is the most common STI amongst young women and young men under 25
• Is caused by a bacteria
• Can be treated with antibiotics
• Most people don’t realise they have it because they don’t get any symptoms

Testing for Chlamydia is free and couldn’t be simpler!

The National Chlamydia Screening Programme recommends that all sexually active young people under 25 years of age have a chlamydia test every six months, regardless of whether you have any signs or symptoms. All you have to do is provide a sample of urine in a pot (‘pee in a pot’) and the test can be performed in minutes. There is no pain involved and you have a lot to gain from testing. If you do test positive for Chlamydia it can be easily treated with antibiotics.

Order a test kit here www.checkurself.org.uk

HIV

HIV (Human Immuno-deficiency Virus) is a virus that damages the immune system. HIV can be found in blood, semen, vaginal fluid and breast milk and can be passed on by having unprotected vaginal or anal sex with someone who has HIV, by sharing injecting equipment, from a mother to her baby. There is evidence that HIV can be transmitted by oral sex with an HIV positive partner. There is currently no cure for HIV infection.

The only way to tell if you have HIV is to have a test. Contact a GUM clinic to talk to someone about HIV and to arrange a test if you are worried.

Get more information about all aspects of HIV infection from:
www.tht.org.uk
www.avert.org.uk

To get more information about other STIs visit:
www.condomessentialwear.co.uk/infections
www.ruthinking.org.uk
www.brook.org.uk
www.likeitis.org