STIs
Choosing to have sex with someone may bring a risk of becoming infected with a disease which could lead to infertility, chronic ill health or a life threatening condition.Sexually Transmitted Infections, known as STIs are on the increase.
Signs and Symptoms of six important STIs
| Chlamydia | Caused by bacteria |
| Symptoms | Most people with Chlamydia will not have any symptoms but some may, these include -
In Women - Unusual vaginal discharge, The need to pass urine more often, pain on passing urine or during sex, pain in the pelvis or lower abdomen, irregular bleeding, between periods, after sex or if you are using contraception. In Men - Discharge from penis, pain and/or burning when passing urine, irritation at the tip of the penis, painful swelling of the testicles. |
| Effects on health | In women infection may spread to the womb and fallopian tubes which will cause pain and may lead to infertility. In men Chlamydia can lead to a painful infection in the testicles and possibly reduce fertility. In both men and women inflammation of the joints can occur. |
| Treatment | Effective antibiotic treatment is available. |
| Gonorrhoea | Caused by bacteria |
| Symptoms | Often none in women but sometimes vaginal discharge and/or changes in existing vaginal discharge. |
| Effects on health | Can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility in women. |
| Treatment | Effective antibiotic treatment is available. |
| Genital Warts | Caused by a virus |
| Symptoms | In men and women - warts or growths on genitals. |
| Effects on health | Some types of wart virus may lead to cervical and other cancers in women and genital cancer in men and women. |
| Treatment | Lengthy treatment with ointment, or freezing the warts may be necessary. |
| HIV | (Human Immuno Virus) |
| Symptoms | Often none for a number of years; can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome). Early symptoms are flu-like, followed by mild muscle ache, low-grade fever, rash and swelling of the lymph glands. |
| Effects on health | Without drugs, almost all HIV infected people will develop AIDS and die. Most people develop AIDS within 8 or 10 years. |
| Treatment | There is no cure for HIV or AIDS although some anti-viral drug cocktails can delay the onset of AIDS and therefore prolong life. |
| Genital Herpes | Caused by a virus |
| Symptoms | Painful sores in genital area, tingling or itching, flu like symptoms, pain or burning when urinating. |
| Effects on health | A pregnant woman might infect her baby. |
| Treatment | No Cure. Anti-viral drugs can reduce severity and frequency of attacks. |
| Hepatitus B & C | Caused by a virus |
| Symptoms | In both men and women - aches and pains, vomiting, abdominal pain and liver inflammation. |
| Effects on health | Can cause liver damage and cancer. |
| Treatment | Hepatitis B vaccines are effective but there is no vaccine for Hepatitis C. |
N.B.
- Sex is not completely safe with a condom, though when used correctly, these can reduce the risk of some infections such as HIV.
- When you have sex with someone, you are at risk of contracting the infections of all previous partners they might have had. The only way to enjoy entirely safe sex is to only have one sexual partner who has not had a previous sexual relationship.
- An STI can be passed on through skin/genital contact, not just full penetrative intercourse.
If you suspect you have a sexually transmitted infection then you can go to the York GUM clinic, contact details below:
Monkgate GUM clinic
31 Monkgate
York
YO31 7WA
01904 725417
If you have had unprotected sex with somebody, we fully recommend that you make an appointment at the GUM clinic to be screened for all sexually transmitted infections. This way you can be sure you have not contracted anything and will not be passing it on to anyone.
These details regarding STIs have been obtained from the Hull Crisis Pregnancy Service.