STI Facts

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Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

A common vaginal infection.

Symptoms – Often there are no symptoms. BV can sometimes happen if you: use scented soaps or perfumed bubble bath; use strong washing powder to wash your underwear or if you smoke. There may be no symptoms, but you may notice a change in your usual vaginal discharge.

Effects – No long-term effects.

Tests – Easily tested through swabs. Go to a GUM clinic or see your GP if concerned.

Treatment – Treated with antibiotics. For many women bacterial vaginosis doesn’t need treatment.

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Chlamydia

Chlamydia can be easily passed from one person to another during unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex with an infected person. It can also be transmitted on fingers from one person to another and from a mother to her baby during birth.

Symptoms – A bacterial infection with NO or very few signs or symptoms. Women may get period like pains or a discharge while men might have pain in their balls.

Effects – Can cause pelvic infections, which leads to scarring of tubes and subsequent infertility (can’t get pregnant) or ectopic pregnancy or chronic pelvic pain. In men, can cause painful swelling of balls. Repeated infections increase risks.

Tests – Easily tested through a urine sample or swabs taken from the cervix and penis.

Treatment – Easily treated with antibiotics.

The Chlamydia Screening Programme was developed for sexually active under 25 year olds (male and female). If you have had sex without a condom, it is important that you take up the offer of a free Chlamydia screen – even if you have no signs or symptoms. You only have to give a urine sample and you can be screened at a number of places, you can even have a free home testing kit. For more information click here

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Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is a viral infection that can be passed to another during unprotected vaginal, anal and oral sex and by skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the herpes virus. Most infectious during an occurrence or even just before the symptoms start. Can be infectious even without symptoms.

Symptoms – Burning when weeing, tingling, blisters and sores on the genital area, along with flu-like symptoms. The first bout is usually the most severe. Recurrences less severe.

Effects – Some people may only have it once; others may get it more than once much like cold sores on the mouth

Tests – No routine test if no symptoms present. Go to a GUM clinic or see GP if concerned

Treatment - There is no cure for herpes but tablets can stop further symptoms.

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Genital Warts

Genital warts are a viral infection that can be passed to another during unprotected vaginal and anal sex and by skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the wart virus. They are the most common STI seen at GUM clinics.

Symptoms – Symptoms include lumps and bumps (which can be very small) appearing in the genital and anal area. It is possible but unusual to develop warts in the mouth or on the lips from oral sex. Not everyone who has the virus will develop visible warts.

Effects – Unpleasant appearance, occasionally itchy or uncomfortable. Rare strains of the virus linked to cancer of the cervix.

Tests – Diagnosis is generally made by appearance during examination by a doctor or nurse. Go to GUM or see your GP if concerned.

Treatment – Various treatments available, these will remove visible warts but not the virus. Virus can persist for some time after visible warts clear.

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Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection, which can be easily passed on through unprotected vaginal, anal and oral sex.

Symptoms – Symptoms can include a smelly discharge, pain when peeing, period problems and abdominal pain in women.

Effects – Same as Chlamydia.

Tests – Easily tested through swabs taken from the cervix and penis. Go to GUM or see your GP if concerned.

Treatment – Easily treated with antibiotics

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Hepatitis B and C

Hepatitis B and C are viral infections that can be passed to another during unprotected vaginal, anal and oral sex. They can also be passed on through sharing needles or other drug injecting equipment. Sometimes form mother to baby.

Symptoms – Often none. Rash or itching and can cause yellowing of the eyes and skin.

Effects – Often none. Can be a carrier. In a small proportion of cases can lead to serious liver damage and/or failure.

Tests – A simple blood test Go to GUM or see your GP if concerned.

Treatment – Immunisation offered to anyone at risk (Hep B). Treatment of advanced infections usually by a liver specialist.

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HIV

HIV stands for HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS. HIV is a viral infection that can be transmitted through: unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex; by sharing needles or other drug injecting equipment that contains traces of HIV infected blood; sometimes from mother to baby; by receiving blood or blood products as part of medical treatment, although the chances of this happening in the UK is remote as all blood is screened.

HIV cannot be transmitted by: Kissing, toilet seats, touching, swimming pools, holding hands, sharing eating utensils.

Symptoms – Often none. May test as part of a routine check-up or as part of pregnancy health screening.

Effects – HIV virus attacks and gradually destroys an infected person’s immune system, usually over a period of many years, reducing their protection against infection and cancers.

Tests – A simple blood test. Go to a GUM clinic or see your GP if concerned.

Treatment – Treatment can control the virus and prevent progression of the disease. Usually at least three drugs used and side effects can occur as with all drugs. However, there is still no cure for HIV/AIDS.

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Non Specific Urethritis (NSU)

Non-specific urethritis (NSU) is an inflammation of the urethra (the tube where urine comes out) that affects men only. It is usually caused by vaginal, oral or anal sex with a partner who already has a sexually transmitted infection. It’s called ‘non-specific’ as a variety of infections can cause it including Chlamydia.

Symptoms – White/cloudy discharge from the tip of the penis, which is often more obvious first thing in the morning, pain, irritation or a burning sensation, wanting to pass urine often.

Effects – Reduced fertility if caused by Chlamydia. (See Chlamydia)

Tests – Swabs from the urethra. Go to a GUM clinic or see your GP if concerned.

Treatment – Treated with antibiotics.

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Pubic Lice (CRABS)

Pubic lice can be easily passed on through direct contact with infected areas. They can also be passed from one person to another during unprotected sex.

Symptoms – A tiny parasite that lives in body hair, such as pubic hair. Symptoms can include, itching of genital areas, black powdery droppings from the lice in your underwear and brown eggs on pubic or other body hair (not head hair).

Effects – Unpleasant, but no serious side effects.

Tests – Can self diagnose, but testing for other infections is advisable. Go to GUM or see your GP if concerned.

Treatment – Can be treated with a medicated lotion, which can be bought at a pharmacy or be prescribed.

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Syphilis

Syphilis can be passed from one person to another during unprotected vaginal, anal and oral sex, and by skin-to-skin contact with someone who has syphilis sores or rashes.

Symptoms – Initial symptoms of ulcers on genitals, anal area or mouth, which are usually painless and may be unnoticed. Wide range of possible later symptoms including a painless rash in particular on the palms of the hand and soles of the feet.

Effects – If left untreated, can damage heart, joints and nervous system.

Tests – A blood test and urine sample. Go to GUM or see your GP if concerned.

Treatment - Easily treated with antibiotics, a follow-up is essential.

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Thrush

Thrush is naturally occurring in the body but can be passed on through unprotected sex.

Symptoms – Itching, soreness and redness around the vagina or penis, a thick, white discharge, pain when going for a wee.

Effects – No serious effects.

Tests – Testing may involve swabs taken from the urethra and cervix.

Treatment – Easily treated with creams, tablets or pesseries (tablets inserted into the vagina) that can be bought at a pharmacy or prescribed.

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Trichomonas Vaginalis (TV)

Caused by a tiny parasite, this infection can easily be passed from one person to another through sexual contact.

Symptoms – Many people won’t have any signs or symptoms but symptoms may include; a frothy/smelly discharge and pain when weeing

Effects – No serious effects.

Tests – Testing may involve swabs from cervix and urethra. Go to GUM or see your GP if concerned.

Treatment – Treated with antibiotics.