How
can I tell if I've got an STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) Chlamydia
Genital
Warts
Gonorrhea
Hepatitis
HIV
Vaginal Discharge
Genital Herpes
NSU Non Specific Urethritis
Syphilis
Pubic Lice
How can you tell if you've got an STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection)
Some infections don't have any symptoms, so if you're worried get a check at your local Sexual Health Clinic.
Signs of an infection Get checked out if you notice:
Free condoms - Condoms are FREE at all our clinics and also at various locations throughout Ayrshire and Arran through the CCrad scheme.
Chlamydia is a common infection caused by a germ (Chlamydia trachoma) spread by unprotected sexual intercourse. If one partner is infected, the germ can be passed between a man and a woman or between a man and another man. Rarely, the germ can be passed from an infected mother to her baby as it passes down the birth canal.
You can only get Chlamydia by having sex with an infected partner.. Practising safer sex and using a condom with your partner reduces the risk. Reducing the number of partners you have sex with also reduces the risk of being infected
Most people don't have any symptoms, but it can cause
Men
Women
Chlamydia is easy to treat with antibiotics. If you're worried visit your local sexual health clinic , GP surgery or visit your local pharmacist who can provide testing and treatment
All warts are caused by a virus, the human papilloma virus, and the number of people with genital warts is increasing. There are many types of the virus but only a few affect the genitals.
You get the virus by direct skin to skin contact. Only 1% of people with the virus ever get warts. The time between contact with the virus and warts showing can vary, from weeks to years. There aren't any tests to show how long the virus has been present in your body.
If you, or your sexual partner or partners are concerned about warts, it's a good idea to see your GP or go to a sexual health clinic . [link]
You will be given information about the infection and given treatment.
Warts are simple to treat but may recur as the virus cannot be cured or cleared from your body.
Gonorrhoea is an infection caused by a germ (Neisseria gonorrhoea) spread by unprotected sexual contact. If one partner is infected, the germ can be passed between a man and a woman or between a man and another man. Rarely, the germ can be passed from an infected mother to her baby as it passes down the birth canal.
You can only get Gonorrhoea by having sexual contact with an infected partner, vaginal, anal or oral sex. Practising safer sex and using a condom with your partner further reduces the risk. Reducing the number of partners you have sex with also reduces the risk of being infected.
Often there aren't any symptoms, but it can cause
• pain when you pee
• discharge from the penis
• pain or tenderness in the testicles
Women-
• unusual vaginal discharge
• lower abdominal pain or tenderness
• irregular bleeding
• pain when you pee
How do you get tested?
Your nurse or doctor at the clinic will take a swab and a sample of urine.
Gonorrhea is easy to treat with antibiotics. If you're worried visit your local sexual health clinic
What causes Hepatitis ?
The most common cause is being infected with a virus. There are several different hepatitis viruses which affect the liver - hepatitis A, B, C, D and E
How do you catch it?
Hepatitis C is the most common type in Ayrshire and it is usually passed on through drug users sharing their works (not just needles, spoons as well). Hepatitis C is rarely passed on through sex. Hepatitis A and B can be passed on sexually, especially if their is contact between the mouth and the anal area.
What are the symptoms of Hepatitis?
There may be general symptoms such as tiredness, aches and pains, a fever, loss of appetite, sickness, stomach ache and/or diarrhoea. Jaundice may develop -the whites of the eyes and skin go yellow. Some people have no symptoms but the virus can still be damaging the liver.
If you or your partner are worried about hepatitis, a blood test can tell you if you're infected.. Ask your GP, local sexual health clinic , or Addiction Service
If you are a Gay or Bisexual man it is recommended that you have a vaccination against Hepatitis B. This is free of charge from your local sexual health clinic. For more information on Hepatitis visit the British Liver Trust Website
HIV
HIV stands for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV attacks the body's immune system, the body's defence against disease, so that it can no longer fight off certain infections.
HIV is the virus which causes AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. We say that a person has AIDS when their immune system has become so weak it can no longer fight off a whole range of diseases which it would normally cope with. HIV can't be cured, but treatments are available that keep people healthy for a long time.
You can HIV for a long time, but not know it.
The best way to protect yourself from HIV is by consistent and proper use of condoms and practising safer sex.
HIV can be passed from mother to baby during birth, so all pregnant women are offered a test for it.
You can get a blood test to check if you have HIV. Contact your sexual health clinic
Vaginal discharge is normal and keeps your vaginal area moist and helps to protect it from damage or infection. Discharge is usually milky in colour and does not smell. The amount of discharge you produce increases at certain times depending on your monthly cycle, if you are pregnant, or if you are sexually aroused or "turned on". Being on the pill may change your discharge.
A change in your discharge may mean that something is wrong. These changes may be:
• more discharge than usual
• a change in the colour of your discharge
• smelly discharge
• sore, itchy skin around your genital area
• discomfort when you pee
• discomfort when you are having sex
• rash or tiny cuts in your genital skin.
The most common infections which cause a discharge are called thrush (candidiasis) and bacterial vaginosis.
Other infections are chlamydia, gonorrhea and TV (trichomonas).
If you are concerned and you think you may have an infection see your GP or sexual health clinic
Herpes is caused by a virus called Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), an infection which is common, but rarely serious. There are two types of the virus: Type 1 (HSV1) and Type 2 (HSV 2).
HSV-1 commonly causes cold sores around the mouth. and can be passed to the genital area by oral sex
HSV- 2 commonly causes genital herpes and is usually caught as an adult and from genital to genital skin contact.
Almost everyone has come into contact with one or both types of the virus at some time in their lives, and may be infected with or without symptoms. Most people carrying the virus are unaware that they've ever been infected, because they have no symptoms.
How is it passed on?
• From one person to another during vaginal or anal sex
• Sharing sex toys
• Skin to skin contact, close genital contact
• If you receive oral sex from someone who has a cold sore or is about to develop one
• If someone with herpes on the hand or finger touched your vagina, genital or anal area
What are the signs and symptoms?
You may not get any visible signs or not be aware of them. However you may have some or all of the following:-
• Flu like symptoms, felling generally unwell
• Stinging, itching or tingling in the genital or anal area
• Small, fluid filled blisters anywhere in the genital or anal area
• Pain when peeing
How will you know if you have the virus?
You can only be certain you have genital herpes if you have a check up. You can get checked out by your GP or at your local sexual health clinic
How do you get tested?
A nurse or doctor will take a swab from the infected area, the result will take 1-2 weeks.
What is the treatment?
The aim of the treatment is to relieve pain and prevent the virus multiplying. Treatment is usually started within 5 days of the start of a new episode, it involves taking antiviral tablets daily( up to 5 per day) for 5 days.
As genital herpes is caused by a virus and not bacteria, antibiotics will not help. The treatment you can buy for facial cold sores is NOT suitable for genital herpes.
Confidential advice, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up are available from your local GP or sexual health clinic .
NSU
NSU (non-specific urethritis).
Urethritits is inflammation of the urethra or water passage which can cause discomfort or pain when you pee. Sometimes it is called non-specific urethritis (NSU).
It can easily be treated with antibiotics.
The condition is known as non-specific urethritis because in some cases the cause is not yet known. It is possible for men and women to have NSU, but it is more diddicult to diagnose in women. In about half of men who have symptoms no specific germ/bacteria is found, in the other half of NSU cases, bacteria called chlamydia cause the infection. Chlamydia can also affect women.
One of the main reasons it is as common is that often there are no obvious symptoms.
Some symptoms you may notice are
• white or cloudy discharge from the tip of the penis
• difficulty peeing
• feeling the need to pee more frequently
• itching or irritation
Because signs or symptoms may not show up , people often do not realise they have the infection, or that they need treatment, and that they can pass the infection on to sexual partners unwittingly. It is most commonly passed from one person to another through vaginal sex, however there is a risk of it being passed on through anal sex, (the risk of picking up chlamydia through oral sex is thought to be very small).
It can be treated with antibiotics.
The best way to prevent all sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, is to practice safer sex.
If you are concerned and you think you may have an infection visit your GP or local sexual health clinic
Syphilis is caused by a bacteria which is easily passed from one person to another through sexual contact.
What are the signs and symptoms?
These can be difficult to recognise and may be missed
Syphilis has three stages:
First stage 3-4 weeks or more after you have contacted the syphilis bacteria)
Second stage - (about 6 weeks later)
Third stage - (many years later)
Syphilis can cause miscarriage and still birth, so all pregnant women are tested for it.
Syphilis is found by taking a blood test.
Treatment
Treatment of first and second stage syphilis is simple and involves having a single antibiotic
For information and testing visit your local GP, or your local sexual health clinic
Pubic Lice ( also known as crabs)
Pubic Lice are insects that live in the hair in the pubic area and sometimes live in course body hair, but they are different to head lice.
How do you catch them?
They are usually passed on by close bodily contact but sometimes can be passed on through shared bedding, towels and clothing.
How do you know if you have them?
It can take several weeks before signs and symptoms appear. If you do get symptoms you may notice
• itching in the affected area
• brown eggs on pubic or other body hair
• irritation or inflammation in the affected area (sometimes caused by you scratching)
• black powdery droppings from the lice on your underwear
• sky-blue spots or very tiny specks of blood on the skin
How can you get tested for pubic lice?
You can get checked out by your GP or at your local sexual health clinic
The nurse or doctor may use a magnifying glass to look for lice or look at one under a microscope.
How is it treated?
Treatment for pubic lice is simple and involves using special cream, lotion or shampoo.
Clothing, bedding and towels should also be washed on a very hot cycle (above 50 degrees C) to avoid re-infection
