Sexually transmitted infections

What are sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?

STI stands for sexually transmitted infection. STIs are infections that are passed from one person to another during sex. Condoms can help to stop you from getting an STI.

There are many different types of STI. These can affect the body in different ways. Some (such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomonas vaginalis and genital herpes) might affect the genitals. Others (such as HIV, syphilis and hepatitis) can affect other parts of the body.

STIs are very common and there is no need to be embarrassed. It is important to learn how to protect yourself from STIs so you can have healthy sexual relationships.

How do I get an STI?

STIs can be passed from one person to another by vaginal sex (when a penis touches the vagina). They can also be passed on by oral sex (when a penis touches the mouth) or anal sex (when a penis touches the anus).

Some STIs can be passed from a mother to her baby when she is pregnant.

STIs cannot be passed on by kissing, holding hands or sharing clothes.

You can have more than one STI at a time and get an STI more than once.

Why are STIs important?

If STIs are not treated quickly then they can cause serious problems. They can make you very unwell (fever, pain), make it difficult for you to get pregnant when you want to or harm your baby if you are pregnant already. But most STIs can be easily treated using medication.

How are STIs treated?

If your healthcare worker thinks you have an STI or you have a positive test, then they will usually give you medication. This can be tablets, creams or an injection.

There are different treatments for different infections, and your healthcare worker will advise you.

Most STIs can be cured with medication.

Some STIs (such as HIV) cannot be cured, but you can take medication which helps you to live a normal, healthy life.

How do I know if I have an STI?

You don't know if you have an STI until you have had a test. Often, they cause no symptoms at all. This means that you might not know if you (or the person you have sex with) have an STI.

Sometimes STIs do cause symptoms, such as: bleeding in between your periods or after sex, changes to your vaginal discharge, pain when you pass urine, itching, rashes, lumps or cuts to the skin, pain in your tummy or pain during sex.

Most women who have these symptoms do not have an STI, but it is always best to check.

If think I have an STI, what should I do?

If you have any of these symptoms, or you have had sex without a condom, then you should speak to your healthcare worker. They will ask you about your symptoms and they might examine you and offer some tests such as swabs, urine or blood tests. If they think you have an STI then they might give you medication.

STIs are very common and there is no need to be embarrassed about getting advice or treatment.

Your healthcare worker will not tell anybody why you have consulted them.

Can I have sex when I have an STI?

No, if you think you have an STI, then you should not have sex until both you and your partner have been tested and treated. If you need medication, then you should wait until you and your partner have finished taking this before having sex.

Why do I need to tell my partner?

It is important to tell anyone that you have had sex with recently, so they can get tested and treated as well. This stops the spread of STIs. Your healthcare worker might be able to help you with this.

How can I prevent STIs?

Using condoms when you have sex can help to stop STIs. You can use male or female condoms. Other types of contraception (family planning) help to stop you from getting pregnant but do not stop STIs. It is safe to use condoms and all other types of family planning at the same time.

STIs are passed from one person to another during sex. This means that, when you have sex with different people, you are more likely to get an STI. You can test for STIs even if you don’t have any symptoms. This means you can test for an infection whenever you have sex with somebody new.