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
Scabies
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. To download an information leaflet on Chlamydia click here
For further information on Chlamydia visit Health Scotland here:
http://www.healthscotland.com/documents/3418.aspx
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. To download an information leaflet on Genital Warts click here
For further information on Genital Warts visit Health Scotland here: http://www.healthscotland.com/documents/3422.aspx
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
Women
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 To download an information leaflet on gonorrhoea click here
For further information on Gonorrhea vist health Scotland here: http://www.healthscotland.com/documents/3423.aspx
Hepatitis
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
Why Gay Men Should have an Hepitus B vacination
The virus is really infectious and can be transmitted in several different ways. For gay and bisexual men it is mainly through sexual activity with other men. Both oral and anal sex can pass on the virus and the more men you have sex with the more likely you are to have sex with someone who has the virus.
Hepatitis B is also100 times more infectious than HIV and can make you very ill. Sometimes it's life-threatening. The good news is that unlike HIV most men can be vaccinated against it. The vaccinations are free of charge and you can have it done anonymously at any sexual health service (GUM clinic). The vaccination usually involves three injections and will be administered over several weeks.
You will need to complete all the vaccinations to fully be covered. For details of where these and other testing services are follow the services for LGBT link SERVICES FOR LGBT
HIV
HIV stands for 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. Initially a person may not show any symptoms so might not know that they are infected with HIV. You can have HIV for a long time, but not know it. However, in most cases the immune system will require help from HIV treatments to keep the infection under control. This is why we recommend that people test regularly if they have put themselves at risk. HIV can't be cured, but the treatments are improving and will keep people healthy for a long time.
AIDS
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.
How is it transmitted?
Body fluids that contain enough HIV to infect someone are:
Other body fluids like saliva, sweat or urine, do not have enough of the virus in them to infect other people.
Transmission through sex
Worldwide the majority of HIV is transmitted through unprotected sex, so anal and vaginal sex without a condom is considered as high risk sexual behaviour. Oral sex can also transmit HIV but is considered a lower risk.
The best way to protect you and others from HIV is by practising safer sex with consistent and proper use of condoms. Condoms for vaginal sex are the best way to prevent infection and condoms and plenty of water based lube is what we would recommend for anal sex. Flavoured condoms are also recommended for oral sex.
HIV is not usually passed on when:
Mother to baby transmission
HIV can be passed from mother to baby during birth, so all pregnant women are offered a test.
If the mother tests positive this does not mean that her baby will automatically have HIV. With the right support, guidance and treatments, the risk of mother to baby transmission can be reduced to 1%. Mothers with HIV are also strongly advised to bottle feed their babies rather than breastfeed to reduce the risk of infection.
Blood to blood
Bleeding on its own is not enough to pass on HIV infection. The blood of someone with HIV needs to leave the body and enter into the body of an uninfected person. Before 1985/6 a number of people, including some with haemophilia, were infected through blood products and transfusions. Since then all blood donations have been screened for HIV and blood products have been treated in the UK .
Sharing needles is a high risk activity, so intravenous drug users (and those who inject steroids into their muscles) are encouraged to use their own clean needles to prevent infection. We also recommend that people do not share any drug injecting equipment because this can also have traces of HIV on it.
Getting an HIV test
An HIV test will tell you whether or not you are infected with HIV. The most commonly used test available is an antibody test. The test looks for antibodies which are created by the immune system when HIV has entered the body. It can take up to three months for the body to produce enough antibodies to show up on an antibody test. This is known as the window period. It is important to remember that a person might have high levels of the virus in their bodies in this period so they could be very infectious and pass on the virus to others.
A positive result
If antibodies are found in your blood this means that the person having the test is HIV positive. This does not mean you they have AIDS. The test does not show how ill someone is or when they are likely to become unwell. Once someone is diagnosed other tests will be carried out on a regular basis and the results of these tests will be a guiding factor on any decisions to start treatment.
A negative result
If the test does not find any antibodies, the result will be recorded as HIV negative. This means that a person does not have detectable HIV in his/her blood at the time of the test. This result would be classed as more accurate if the test is done after the window period (three months).
Treatment
Taking a combination of anti-HIV drugs (combination therapy) can successfully reduce the level of HIV in the blood and in many cases has a dramatic effect on improving the health and life expectancy of someone living with HIV. The treatments will not cure HIV, but they can help keep the virus under control.
For more information on HIV follow this link to Terrence Higgins Trust website. www.tht.org.uk or call THT direct on 0845 12 21 200
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:
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. To download an information leaflet on Vaginal Health click here
For further information on Vaginal health visit healh Scotland here: http://www.healthscotland.com/documents/3419.aspx
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?
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:-
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. To download an information leaflet on Genital Herpes click here
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 .
Is there anything I can do myself to ease the discomfort?
For further information on Genital Herpes visit Health Scotland here: http://www.healthscotland.com/documents/3421.aspx
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 difficult 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
Scabies is caused by a tiny parasitic mite, they burrow undeer your skin and lay eggs.
How do you get them?
Scabies is easily passed on from one person to another through close bodily contact or sexual contact. The mites which cause scabies can be found in the genital area, on the hands, between the fingers, on the wrists and elbows, underneath the arms, on the abdomen, on the breast, around the nipple in women, on the feet and ankles and round the buttocks.
The mites can live for up to 72 hours off the body, so occasionally it is possible for them to be spread by clothing, bedding and towels.
How do you know if you have them?
It may take up to 6 weeks before any signs or symptoms appear. You may notice:
How can you get tested for scabies?
You can get tested by your GP or your local sexual health clinic. A doctor or nurse can often tell if you have scabies just by looking at the affected area. They may gently take a skin flake from one of the spots and look at it under a microscope.
How is it treated?
Treatment for scabies is simple and invloves you using a special cream or lotion. Clothing, bedding and towels should also be washed on a very hot cycle ( above 50 degrees C) to avoid reinfection.
