Unfortunately sex can come with complications and one of them is STIs. You can only catch them through having sex and not from kissing, shaking hands, toilet seats or towels. Not everyone has symptoms with an STI so it’s always a good idea to go for a test if you’ve had penetrative (penis in vagina, penis in anus) or oral sex (penis in mouth, mouth on vagina or anus) without using a condom or dam.
For more information on sti’s or advice about testing, contact your local sexual health services.
Gonorrhoea
Bacterial infection cured with antibiotics
Contact your local sexual health services for more information or advice about testing.
Not as common as Chlamydia but can sometimes be difficult to treat. If left untreated it can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease for women, arthritis and inflammation of the heart and valves. Gonorrhoea is easy to test for and can be prevented by using a condom.
Men are more likely to have symptoms than women and these may include:
• A greeny/yellow discharge
• Pain when you pee
• Inflamed testicles
Chlamydia
Bacterial infection cured with antibiotics
Contact your local sexual health services for more information or advice about testing.
This is the most common infection because not everyone has symptoms which means it can go unnoticed and be passed on easily. If left untreated it can cause problems with infertility for both men and women. Chlamydia is easy to test for and can be prevented by using a condom.
Symptoms may include:
• Pain when you wee
• Creamy white discharge
• Bleeding between periods or after sex
• Lower abdominal pain
• Swollen testicles
HIV – Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Viral infection which remains incurable, however it is treatable.
Contact your local sexual health services for more information or advice about testing.
Early diagnosis of the infection is important to ensure effective treatment is given which means those with the virus can anticipate a near normal life expectancy.
HIV can be present in the blood, semen and vaginal fluids of an infected person. It cannot be passed on by kissing, touching or sharing cutlery and crockery with an infected person.
It is mainly transmitted through unprotected sex and through sharing injecting equipment with someone who already has the virus.
Using a condom can help prevent against HIV.
AIDS – (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), is a collection of illnesses caused by the progression of HIV.
HIV and AIDS can be prevented with the use of condoms
If you are using a condom during sex and the condom splits or breaks you should speak to a sexual health clinic about getting tested for all the above infections.
Syphilis
Bacterial infection cured with antibiotics but damage caused during the latent stage cannot be reversed
Contact your local sexual health services for more information or advice about testing.
The symptoms to Syphilis appear in 3 stages but can sometimes be missed.
Primary symptoms
• A painless sore or blister appearing on or inside the genitals, anus, mouth or throat, appearing 21-90 days after infection
• The sore will disappear but the infection remains within the body
Secondary symptoms
• Flu like illness
• Rash covering the torso, also the palms of the hands, soles of the feet
• White patches on the tongue or in the mouth
• Symptoms will disappear again on their own but the infection remains
Tertiary or Latent stage symptoms
• There are no recognisable symptoms at this stage but damage occurs to your brain, heart, nervous system and joints.
Testing involves taking a blood sample. Using a condom can help prevent against syphilis.
Genital Herpes
Herpes is a viral infection and is passed on through skin touching skin. While there is no cure there is treatment for more serious outbreaks
Contact your local sexual health services for more information or advice about testing.
Symptoms
• Itching or tingling around the genitals or anus which leads to blisters
• Burst blisters cause painful ulcers
• Flu like symptoms
You will need to be examined by a nurse or doctor who can diagnose and treat the herpes if necessary. Contact a sexual health clinic for advice.
Using a condom can help prevent against genital herpes.
For further information regarding Genital Herpes have a look at the herpes website
Genital Warts
Warts are a very common infection caused by a virus and although there is no treatment to get rid of the virus, the warts themselves can be removed with treatment
Contact your local sexual health services for more information or advice about testing.
They are transmitted from one person to another by touching skin to skin.
Symptoms
• Cauliflower like lumps on the genitals or anus, can appear internally or externally
• Can be itchy but not usually painful
• Warts usually develop between 1-3 months after exposure to the virus.
You will need to be examined by a nurse or doctor who can diagnose and treat the warts for you. Contact a sexual health clinic for advice.
Using a condom can help prevent against genital warts.
