STIs

STI stands for Sexually Transmitted Infection, and refers to a range of infections that can be passed from person to person during sexual contact.

Most STIs are transmitted through bodily fluids during oral, vaginal or anal sex, including the use of sex toys, but some can be passed on through simple skin-to-skin contact.

• It is important to protect yourself from STIs by practicing safe sex. Condoms, femidoms and dental dams are the only methods of contraception that protect you against most STIs and you can find out more about them here.
• Some STIs can also be transmitted in other ways such as sharing intravenous drug equipment (ie. needles), through childbirth and breast feeding.
• Most STIs can be treated if caught early enough, but some can cause serious problems if left untreated for a long time. So it is important to get tested if you think you have been at risk.

You can find out more information on STIs for gay, bisexual and all men who have sex with men through our www.sx.scot website here.

You can find out more information on STIs for young people through our www.wavehighland.com website here.

Chlamydia is one of the most common STIs.

It’s caused by bacteria and can affect anyone who has ever had unprotected anal, oral or vaginal sex. Using condoms and femidoms is the best way to prevent new infections.

• There are often no signs or symptoms – however some people may experience symptoms including unusual discharge, bleeding between or irregular periods, and lower abdominal pain
• It is a bacterial infection which can be treated with antibiotics
• Tests usually involve giving a urine sample or taking a vaginal swab, and can be done 2 weeks after unprotected sex
• If left untreated, chlamydia can affect fertility in men and women.

For more information about Chlamydia, click here.

You can also find out more about chlamydia on our sx.scot website here.

Genital herpes is a common viral infection.

There are two strains of the herpes virus, both of which can cause genital herpes and cold sores in the mouth area. Genital herpes:

• Causes very sore, painful blisters on the genitals, but can also infect the anal area and also the mouth and nose (cold sores)
• Highly contagious
• Is treated with antiviral medicines but there is no cure and you may experience future outbreaks when feeling down or poorly - an outbreak in either you, or your partner, does not necessarily mean your partner has been having sex with other people
• Tests usually involve a health professional examining your genitals and taking a swab of fluid from a blister
• Even if someone with genital herpes has no symptoms, they can pass it on
• If you have genital herpes and are experiencing an episode, you should avoid having sex from the first tingle or itch until any blisters or ulcers have cleared up.

For more information about herpes, click here.

You can also find out more about herpes on our sx.scot website here.

Genital warts are small fleshy growths or bumps commonly found around the genital skin or anus.

They are spread by skin-to-skin contact and are the result of a viral skin infection caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Using condoms and femidoms is the best way to protect yourself from Genital warts.

• Most people who have an HPV infection will not develop genital warts
• Genital warts can take months or years to develop after an infection so if they appear on you, or your partner, this does not necessarily mean that your partner has been having sex with other people
• Treatment will depend on how many warts you have, but will involve either creams or freezing
• An HPV vaccine is routinely offered to girls aged 11-13 to protect against cervical cancer, and is also available to gay and bisexual men through sexual health clinics.
• Diagnosis involves a health professional examining any growths

If you would more information about genital warts, click here.

You can also find out more about genital warts on our sx.scot website here.

Gonorrhoea (sometimes known as ‘the clap’) is one of the most common STIs.

It’s caused by a bacteria and can affect anyone who has ever had unprotected anal, oral or vaginal sex. Using condoms, femidoms and dams is the best way to protect yourself.

• 1 in 10 men and half of women with gonorrhoea experience no signs or symptoms – though you may experience symptoms including yellow or green discharge, a burning feeling when peeing and lower abdominal pain or tenderness
• Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection which, in most cases, can be treated with antibiotics
• Tests usually involve taking a swab of discharge or giving a urine sample, and can be done 2 weeks after unprotected sex
• If left untreated, gonorrhoea can affect fertility in men and women

If you would more information about gonorrhoea, click here.

You can also find out more about gonorrhoea on our sx.scot website here.

Hepatitis is a viral infection that can cause damage to the liver.

There are various types of hepatitis, each with differences in terms of transmission and treatment.

In Scotland, the most common types are hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Find out more about hepatitis C here.

HIV is a virus that infects the body’s white blood cells and stops the immune system from functioning properly.

In other words, HIV makes it harder for the body to fight everyday infections and makes it easier for people to become ill.

HIV is present in blood and genital fluids and is primarily transmitted during unprotected sex and by sharing injecting equipment. Find out more about HIV here.

Pubic lice (otherwise known as crabs) are very small, parasitic insects which live on the pubic hair.

They can be passed on during sexual contact, or through other close body contact like sharing towels or bed linen.

• Symptoms can take a few weeks to appear and include itching, irritation and inflammation. You may be able to see black powder (droppings), brown eggs or the actual lice.
• Diagnosis involves a health professional examining the area to look for the crabs (which can grow to the size of a pinhead)
• Treatment involves using lotion or shampoo.
• There’s not much you can do to prevent crabs, but they are easily treated and, aside from being incredibly itchy, are completely harmless

For more information about pubic lice, click here.

You can also find out more about pubic lice on our sx.scot website here.

Syphilis is a bacterial STI. It is less common than other STIs, but new cases are on the increase.

The infection can be passed on during unprotected anal, vaginal or oral sex, and using condoms, femidoms or dams is the most effective way to protect yourself.

• The first symptom is small, painless sores in the genital or anal area called a chancre
• Symptoms can progress to include a non-itchy rash on the palms or soles of the feet, small skin growths, flu-like symptoms, swollen glands, weight loss and patchy hair loss
• Diagnosis usually involves an examination, followed by swabs (if there are sores) and a blood test
• If caught early, it can be treated with an antibiotic injection (often penicillin) or other forms of antibiotics.
• If left untreated, syphilis can cause serious illness – including damage to the brain, heart and liver

For more information about syphilis, click here

You can also find out more about syphilis on our sx.scot website here.

Thrush isn’t an STI, but a common yeast infection that affects both men and woman.

• Symptoms can include thick white discharge, itchiness and irritation, and burning and stinging when having sex or peeing
• Can be treated easily with creams and tablets that can be bought from a pharmacy or chemist – or through your GP
• It is usually harmless but can keep coming back, even if treated

For more information about thrush, click here

(link http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/thrush/Pages/Introduction.aspx  )