Sexually Transmitted Infections are never nice, so it is important to always use protection when having sex. However, they are common and can often be treated easily and effectively, so if you have had unprotected sex, the best thing to do is go to a doctor and get yourself tested, even if you aren't showing any symptoms, so you can be treated as quickly as possible in the event that you do have an STI. Below are some examples of STIs, their symptoms and how they are treated. Not everyone shows the same symptoms, and more severe symptoms usually only happen if the infection is left untreated.
The NHS website is also a great place to get even more information!
Chlamydia
Pain when peeing
Unusual discharge
Bleeding from the uterus after sex and between periods
Inflamed (painful and swollen) testicles
Chronic pain
Treatment: Antibiotics, in the form of tablets
Gonorrhea
Very similar to Chlamydia - in fact, they were originally thought to be the same disease!
Discharge is typically yellow or green
Asymptomatic (without any symptoms) gonorrhea is also common, and is more common in females
Treatment: Antibiotics, in the form of an injection and a tablet
Herpes/cold sores
Small blisters and sores around affected area
Inflamed genitals
Pain when peeing
Herpes can also cause increased risk to other STIs due to the broken skin.
Treatment: There is no absolute cure for herpes, outbreaks of sores can come and go, but antiviral tablets and creams are available to reduce the number of recurrences and severity.
HIV
People can experience a flu-like illness when they first contract HIV, but these symptoms are also caused by many other infections. For a long time, the person can appear and feel well, but as the immune system becomes more and more damaged, symptoms can appear.
Weight loss
Chronic diarrhoea
Night sweats
Recurrent infections
There is no cure for HIV, but taking a 28 day course of PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) tablets within 24-72 hours of initial exposure can prevent the infection from taking hold. Failing this, life-long antiviral tablets can suppress the infection to undetectable levels (i.e. non-contagious) within 6 months of use. Further, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) tablets are slowly being introduced across the UK* for those who are HIV negative to use regularly or as needed, before HIV exposure.
*Scotland - available, Wales & N Ireland - pilot availability, England - clinical trial
Pubic lice
Itching of skin
Irritated skin
Discoloured skin
Treatment: Insecticide cream, lotion and/or shampoo
Syphilis
Small, painless sores
A red rash
Small skin growths (like genital warts)
Tiredness/headaches
Joint point
Fever
Treatment: Antibiotics, in the form of an injection or tablets
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