STIs

STI's are infections that are transmitted through sexual contact. You can get an STI by sexual intercourse but also through oral sex, anal sex or contact with bodily fluids such as sperm, saliva, blood, and vaginal discharge.

Some of the things that increase a person's chances of getting an STI are:

Lots of sexual partners - People who have sexual contact with many different partners are more at risk than those who stay with the same partner.

Unprotected sex - Latex condoms are the only form of contraception that reduce your risk of getting an STI, and must be used every time. The pill, implants, coils, and other contraceptive methods may help prevent pregnancy, but they don't protect a person against STIs.

The best way to protect yourself from getting an STI is using condoms.

Everyone who has sex is at risk of an STI and you can’t always tell if someone has an STI because most people have no symptoms or signs of an infection. If you have had unprotected sex, it might be worth having a check up.

Chlamydia & Gonhorrhoea

Chlamydia

• Both men and women can get Chlamydia through unprotected sex (sex without a condom)
• It is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections
• Many people who have Chlamydia have no symptoms if untreated
• It may cause painful complications or even infertility
• If you have no symptoms, you do not need to be examined
• Is treated with antibiotics

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For more detailed information, please visit:  Chlamydia

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Gonorrhoea

• Gonorrhoea is a common infection passed during vaginal, oral or anal sex
• It can be painful and cause serious problems such as infertility
• It can cause a discharge from the vagina or penis and pain passing urine.
• Less commonly, it can cause soreness in the testicles of men or abdominal pain in women
• It is tested by taking a swab test or by a urine test in men
• Gonorrhoea is treatable by antibiotics

For more detailed information, please visit:  Gonorrhoea

Genital Herpes

• Caused by a virus spread by skin to skin contact (genital or oral)
• Some people carrying the virus have no symptoms or signs
• Some people will get blisters, pain or burning in the genital area during an outbreak
• It is possible to pass on the virus even if you have no symptoms or signs
• Treatment is possible to shorten an outbreak
• Further outbreaks may occur
• Can be important during pregnancy

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For more detailed information, please visit:  Genital Herpes

Genital Warts

• A very common STI
• Caused by a virus passed on during sexual contact
• Warts can appear a long time after the virus has been passed on
• Everyone will eventually clear the warts without treatment
• Treatment may shorten the time the warts are visible

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For more detailed information, please visit:  Genital Warts

HIV

• HIV is a virus that weakens the body’s defence systems
• There is no cure but treatments help people live longer healthier lives.
• The virus is passed in body fluids including blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk
• Many people with HIV have no symptoms or signs
• Using condoms every time you have sex reduces your risk of contracting HIV
• You can be checked for HIV by a simple blood test

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For more detailed information, please visit our HIV/Hepatitis page or  HIV

Pubic Lice & Scabies

• These are tiny parasites which live on the body
• Pubic lice live on coarse body hair and look like tiny ‘crabs’
• Scabies causes an intense itch all over the body
• These parasites are passed by close body contact or rarely by sharing towels, clothes or bedding
• Both easily treated by lotions or creams

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For more detailed information, please visit:  Pubic Lice / Scabies

Syphilis

• This is an uncommon infection which can cause serious problems if untreated
• It is caused by a bacteria passed during vaginal, anal or oral sex
• Pregnant women can pass the infection to their baby
• You may develop a painless sore of the genital area, mouth or rarely elsewhere
• You can be checked for Syphilis with  a simple blood test

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For more detailed information, please visit:  Syphillis

Thrush, BV, TV & HVP

Thrush and Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

• Thrush and BV are not sexually transmitted but can develop after you have sex
• They are caused by overgrowth in your body's natural bacteria (BV) or yeast (thrush)
• They can be diagnosed by taking a swab test
• These infections can cause itching, soreness and redness of the genital area
• They are easily treated with creams, pessaries or tablets

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For more detailed information, please visit:  Thrush / Bacterial Vaginosis

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Trichomonas Vaginalis (TV)

• Trichomonas Vaginalis is an infection caused by a tiny parasite
• It can be found in the urethra (tube where urine comes out) in men and women or in the vagina of women
• It is passed during vaginal sex
• Some people with TV have no symptoms
  but men and women may have a discharge or pain passing urine
• It is tested by taking a swab
• Trichomonas Vaginalis is easily treated with antibiotics

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For more detailed information, please visit:  Trichomonas Vaginalis

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