Sexually Transmitted Infections
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI’s) – What are they?
There are different sexually transmitted infections, some are easy to treat and others aren’t curable. You are at risk from catching an STI if you have has unprotected vaginal sex, anal sex or oral sex. You can catch some STI’s from close physcial contact too (genital warts, genital herpes, pubic lice and scabies). If you used a condom whilst having sex, but it split or fell off during sex, you are still at risk of catching an STI.
Chlamydia – one of the most commons STI’s in the UK and the numbers are on the increase. However Clamydia is easy to test for and treat. You can get tested at your doctors surgery, sexual health clinics (listed below) and free testing kits are available in schools, colleges and we even have a supply here at The Key. Treatment for chlamydia invovles just a simple course of antibiotics. There is no long lasting ill effects. It is important to get treated for chlamydia though as, if left untreated, it can cause problems including infertility. Symptoms in both men and women include unusual discahrge and pain when having a wee. Men may also experience painful swelling of the testicles. Women may also experience abdominal pain and heavy periods or bleeding between periods. However many people don’t always have any symptoms so you could have it and not even know.
Genital Herpes – a common viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. Symptoms of herpes are usually a tingling or itching on or around the genital area followed by the appearance of small, painful blisters. Other symptoms include a headache, backache or a temperature and burning sensation when passing urine. People with genital herpes are most infections when they have sores or blisters. You cannot be tested for genital herpes unless the sores or blisters are present. If you catch genital herpes you will have an initial outbreak followed by the virus being inactive in the body for some time. It will become active again, causing further outbreaks known as ‘recurrent outbreaks’. There is no cure for genital herpes. However there is an anti viral drug (Aciclovir) which can be used to reduce the severity of the first and recurrent outbreaks, as well as the length of time of the first episode. It is important to get treated as soon as possible for it to have an effect on the symptoms.
Genital Warts – the most common STI, which is caused by some strains of the human papilloma virus. The highest rate of infection is in women aged 20-24 and men aged 25-34. Warts can take a year or more to develop after infection and are not always visible. If warts are not present the virus cannot be tested for. Genital warts can be treated by applying special ointments, freezing them or by surgical removal.
Gonorrhoea - is a bacterial infection that can easily be treated with antibiotics. Symptoms for men and women include unusual discharge from the penis or vagina, pain when having a wee, frequently needing a wee, lower stomach pain (rare cases). Women may have heavier than usual persion or bleeding between periods. Men may have painful testicles. If left untreated, gonorrheoa can lead to infertility and inflammation of the joints or eyes.
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) – HIV damages the body’s immune system so if cannot fight off inffections. HIV is the virus that can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). As well as unprotected sex, HIV can be passed onto another person by sharing needles or other injecting equipment, and from an infected monther to her baby during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding.
Syphilis – a bacterial STI which is on the increase in the UK. Syphilis can be passed on trhough unprotected sex or oral sex. The sypmtoms of Syphilis can be very mild and you may not know you have it. SoSyphilis can develop in 23 stages. The first stage (or primary stage) starts with a painless sort, usually on or near the vagina or penis, but sometimes in the mouth or anus. The second stage (secondary syphilis) may include flu-like symptoms and a rash on the body. Thid stage syphilis (tertiary syphilis) is very rare in the UK. Syphilis cna be treated with antibiotics. If left untreated it can cause dementia and heart problems. If you catch syphilis when you are pregnant, it can cause still birth or congenital infection.
Pubic Lice – are small, crab like creatures which live in the pubic hair. They can be passed on through close body contact, or by sharing towels or bed linen and are not necessarily sexually transmitted. Pubic lice are tiny so it may be difficult for you to notice that you have them. You may notice other signs such as itching in the pubic area, brown eggs on pubic or other body hair, black powdery dropping in your underwear and irritation or inflammation in the genital area, sometimes caused by scratching. You can treat pubic lice using special solutions. If left untreated they can spread to other parts of the body.
Scabies – is caused by a mite (Sarcoptes Scabei) and can be passed on through close body contact, therefore not necessarily sexually transmitted. The mites which cause scabies can be found in the genital area, on the wrists and elbows, underneath the arms, on the stomach area, on the hands and between the fingers, on the feet and ankels and around the buttocks. As the mites are so tiny, it is impossible to see them. You may notice other symptoms such as intense itching, inflammation or raw, broken skin in the affected areas, an itchy red rask or tiny spots (which can look like eczema). Scabies can be treated with a special lotion. Towels, cloths and bedding will need to be washed to avoid reinfection.
Thrush (Candidiasis) – Thrush is caused by yeast (Candida albicans) and is not necessarily transmitted through sexual contact. Normally the yeast that causes thrush lives harmlessly inside the vagina, but sometimes the amount of yeast increases and causes thrush. It is very common for women to get thrush and some women will get it regularly. Men can sometimes get thrush too. Although it’s not a sexually transmitted infection, you can sometimes develop thrush after you have had sex. Thrush can also be triggered by antiobiotics, some forms of contraception and the use of strongly perfumed bath products or sprays. Symptoms include itching, a thick, white discharge, soreness, swelling of the vulva and pain when having a wee. In women, thrush can be treated with anti-fungal cream and vaginal pessaries, some of which you can buy over the counter at the pharmacy. Men can treat thrush with anti-fungal cream. Live yoghurt (applied to the affected area) can also sometimes be effective.
Trichomoniasis – caused by tiny parasited infecting the vagina in women and the urethra in both men and women. Trichomoniasis is easily passsed on during sex. Although it is not a serious condition, it is often diagnosed with gonorrheaa and can be a warning sign for a more serious infection. Symptoms include itching, irritation and discharge in women, but men ususally have no symptoms. Treatment is with antiobiotics.
Non-Specific Genital Infections (NSGI’s) – the four most common NSGI’s are: Vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina), urethritis (inflammation of the urethra), Cystitis (inflammation of the bladder) and proctitis (inflammation of the rectum). Some NSGI’s, like Cystitis are not necessarily caused by sexual contact. Some however may be caused by chlmydia, particularly in men. Symptoms include inflammation around the genital area, discharge from the vagina, urethra or anus or pain or a burning sensation when passing urine. Treatment is with antibiotics.
If you are worried that you may have caught a STI, talk to your doctor, or visit your local sexual health clinic (details are on the Contraception section of this website). Remember that most STI’s are easy to treat with antibiotics or solutions and early treatment can prevent further complications developing.
www.sexhelpglos.nhs.uk/- For further information about STI’s, contraception and emergency contraception.
