Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Chlamydia ranks as the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI), stemming from a bacterial infection. Its treatment typically involves a straightforward course of antibiotics.

How is chlamydia transmitted?
Chlamydia spreads through sexual contact, encompassing oral, vaginal, or anal intercourse, and can also be transmitted through the sharing of sex toys. Notably, it doesn’t transfer through activities like kissing, hugging, or contact with surfaces like towels or toilet seats due to the bacteria’s limited viability outside the body.

What are the symptoms of chlamydia?
Most individuals infected with chlamydia exhibit no symptoms, making regular testing imperative. Symptoms, if present, may manifest weeks after exposure and include abnormal genital discharge, painful urination, discomfort or bleeding during or after intercourse, pelvic pain, and irregular menstrual cycles. Seeking evaluation at a sexual health clinic is advised for anyone experiencing symptoms.

How can you be tested for chlamydia?
Testing for chlamydia may not yield immediate results; it can take up to 14 days post-exposure for accurate detection. Testing methods include vaginal swabs, urine samples for genital testing, rectal swabs for anal chlamydia, and throat swabs for oral chlamydia. Conveniently, some home STI tests allow for simultaneous screening of chlamydia and gonorrhoea.

What can you do to prevent chlamydia?
Preventing chlamydia transmission involves consistent condom use during vaginal or anal intercourse, employing condoms or dental dams during oral sex, and proper cleaning or condom use with shared sex toys. Sexual health clinics often offer free condoms, and routine testing every 3 months is recommended for those with multiple partners.

Can there be complications from chlamydia?
Left untreated, chlamydia can lead to severe complications, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in individuals with vulvas, which may result in chronic pain, fertility issues, or ectopic pregnancies. Infections can also pose risks during pregnancy and childbirth, potentially affecting the newborn’s health. In individuals with penises, untreated chlamydia can lead to painful testicular infections known as epididymitis.

What is the treatment for chlamydia?
Chlamydia treatment entails a course of antibiotics, usually administered orally. A follow-up test six weeks post-treatment confirms clearance of the infection. Sexual activity should be avoided until one week post-treatment completion to prevent transmission to partners. Treatment and testing services are available at sexual health clinics, general practitioners, or through online services.

Should I inform my partner?
Individuals diagnosed with chlamydia should inform current partners and those with whom they’ve had sexual contact within the last six months, facilitating their testing and treatment. Sexual health services often provide support for partner notification, allowing for anonymous disclosure to ensure partner awareness without revealing personal information.

Genital herpes is a prevalent viral infection which can lead to the formation of painful blisters in and around the genital area.

How is genital herpes transmitted?
Genital herpes is highly transmissible, even in the absence of visible symptoms. It spreads through various means:

• Skin-to-skin contact with an infected area, including during oral, vaginal, or anal intercourse.
• Passage through small skin abrasions or mucous membranes like the mouth, vagina, rectum, urethra, and under the foreskin.
• Sharing of sex toys with individuals carrying the virus. The herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes genital herpes, with two types, HSV-1 and HSV-2, capable of inducing genital sores or oral cold sores. Many contract the virus during childhood through saliva or close contact, but it does not transmit through shared baths, towels, swimming pools, or common utensils.

What are the symptoms of genital herpes?
Symptoms may not manifest in everyone infected, and many remain unaware of their condition. Initial symptoms can arise within days or remain latent for weeks, months, or even years. Common signs include flu-like symptoms, tingling or itching sensations in the genital or anal area, fluid-filled blisters, and pain during urination. Subsequent outbreaks tend to be milder and shorter in duration, occurring on average four times a year.

How is it diagnosed?
Accurate diagnosis typically requires testing during an active outbreak. Clinicians at sexual health clinics or general practitioners can perform swab samples on ulcers or blisters for confirmation. Online services may offer free genital herpes diagnosis in certain regions, with subsequent treatment options available.

How can you best prevent genital herpes?
Condom use reduces the risk of contracting genital herpes and other sexually transmitted infections. Free condoms are often available at sexual health clinics. Given the virus’s ability to spread asymptomatically, precautions should be taken during outbreaks or when symptoms are absent, such as avoiding kissing or oral sex during cold sore outbreaks and abstaining from genital or anal contact during active herpes episodes.

How serious is genital herpes?
While untreated sexually transmitted infections pose health risks, genital herpes rarely leads to long-term complications. However, outbreaks may worsen during periods of weakened immunity, such as illness or pregnancy, necessitating medical attention. Pregnant individuals should inform their healthcare providers of any genital herpes symptoms to prevent transmission during childbirth.

What are the treatment options for genital herpes?
Though no cure exists for genital herpes, various treatments can manage symptoms and reduce outbreak severity. Antiviral medications, typically administered orally for a five-day course, can shorten outbreak duration if initiated promptly. Over-the-counter pain relievers and topical treatments like lidocaine gel may alleviate discomfort during outbreaks. Long-term suppressive treatment courses may be necessary for individuals experiencing frequent or severe outbreaks.

Should I inform my partner?
Individuals diagnosed with genital herpes should inform sexual partners, particularly during active outbreaks when transmission risk is highest. Condom use during intercourse can further reduce transmission likelihood. Previous partners may not require notification, but guidance from sexual health professionals can offer clarity on disclosure practices.

Genital warts, although a prevalent STI, typically pose minimal health risks. These warts manifest as small flesh-colored bumps or lumps around the genital area, anus, or throat, and are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which spreads through sexual contact.

How are genital warts transmitted?
HPV, the virus responsible for genital warts, can be transmitted even when warts are not visibly present. Transmission occurs through:

• Skin-to-skin contact, particularly during sexual activity.
• Sharing of sex toys.
• Oral sex, although this mode of transmission is uncommon.

Genital warts are not transmitted through saliva, sweat, or urine, so kissing or sharing personal items like cutlery, towels, or toilet seats does not pose a risk.

What are the symptoms of genital warts?
Most individuals infected with HPV do not develop visible warts, potentially remaining unaware of their infection. Warts, if present, appear as small, painless bumps, sometimes accompanied by itching and minimal bleeding. Warts may recur intermittently even after treatment.

How are genital warts diagnosed?
Genital warts do not typically warrant routine testing. Diagnosis involves examination by a healthcare professional, who may visually inspect the affected area and inquire about symptoms. Online diagnosis services may offer assistance if available in your region.

How can you prevent genital warts?
Preventing the spread of HPV and genital warts involves:

• Consistent condom use during vaginal, anal, or oral sex, though it may not provide complete protection due to skin-to-skin transmission. Free condoms are often accessible at sexual health clinics.
• Avoiding sharing sex toys, or adequately cleaning or covering them with a condom before use by another individual.
• Abstaining from sexual activity while undergoing treatment for genital warts.

What is the treatment for genital warts?
Treatment focuses on removing visible warts, as the underlying HPV infection cannot be cured and may persist despite wart removal. Treatment options include:

• Topical creams or liquids applied directly to the affected area.
• Cryotherapy, where a healthcare professional freezes the warts. Over-the-counter wart treatments are unsuitable for genital warts and should be avoided.
• Pregnant individuals should consult healthcare providers before undergoing wart treatment, as certain topical treatments may pose risks to pregnancy.

Should you inform your partner?
Individuals with visible genital warts should communicate with their sexual partners about their condition and abstain from touching the affected area until treatment is complete.

Gonorrhoea is a prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI) which is caused by a bacterial infection. It can be effectively treated with antibiotics.

How is gonorrhoea transmitted?
Gonorrhoea spreads through sexual contact, encompassing oral, vaginal, or anal intercourse, and can also be transmitted through the sharing of sex toys. Notably, it does not transmit through casual contact such as kissing, hugging, or contact with towels or toilet seats.

What are the symptoms of gonorrhoea?
Many individuals infected with gonorrhoea may not exhibit any symptoms, underscoring the importance of regular testing. Symptoms, if present, may take a few weeks to appear and can include abnormal genital discharge, pain during urination, pelvic discomfort, and irregular menstrual patterns.

How is gonorrhoea diagnosed?
Detection of gonorrhoea in tests may require up to two weeks post-exposure for accurate results. Testing methods vary based on the suspected exposure site, including vaginal swabs or urine samples for genital gonorrhoea, and rectal or throat swabs for anal or oral gonorrhoea.

How can you prevent gonorrhoea?
Preventive measures against gonorrhoea entail consistent condom use and other barrier protection methods during sexual activity, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and proper hygiene practices with sex toys. Free condoms are often available at sexual health clinics, and regular testing is recommended, especially for individuals with multiple sexual partners.

Can gonorrhoea lead to complications?
Untreated gonorrhoea can lead to severe complications, particularly in individuals with vulvas, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can result in chronic pain, fertility issues, or ectopic pregnancies. Additionally, gonorrhoea can pose risks during pregnancy and childbirth, potentially affecting the newborn’s health.

What treatment is available for gonorrhea?
Treatment for gonorrhoea typically involves an antibiotic injection administered by a trained clinician. Following diagnosis, sexual activity should be avoided until seven days post-treatment completion to prevent transmission to partners.

Should you inform your partner?
Individuals diagnosed with gonorrhoea should inform current and recent sexual partners within the last six months, facilitating their testing and treatment. Sexual health services often offer support for anonymous partner notification to ensure partner awareness without divulging personal information.

Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by a virus present in the blood and other bodily fluids.

How is Hepatitis B transmitted?
The virus is primarily transmitted through blood-to-blood contact, which can occur in various ways:

• Sharing needles during drug injection.
• Accidental needle injuries.
• Sharing personal items like razors or toothbrushes contaminated with infected blood.
• Exposure to unsterilised equipment during tattooing or piercing.
• Contact between open wounds and infected blood.
• Additionally, unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse can also facilitate transmission.
• Pregnant individuals with hepatitis B can pass the infection to their newborn, but immediate vaccination post-birth can prevent transmission.

What are the risk factors and symptoms?
While the likelihood of acquiring Hepatitis B in the UK is low, certain regions, including Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and parts of South America and Eastern Europe, have a higher risk.

Symptoms may not manifest during the early stage of infection, but when they do, they typically include flu-like symptoms, fatigue, depression, jaundice, itchy skin, loss of appetite, and gastrointestinal issues.

How is Hepatitis tested and diagnosed?
Testing is crucial for diagnosing hepatitis B. Testing can be conducted at a clinic or through a home test kit, which involves sending a blood sample to a laboratory. Results may take between 12 weeks to 6 months post-infection to appear accurately.

How can Hepatitis B be prevented?
Preventive measures include avoiding sharing drug-injecting equipment, getting tattoos or piercings from licensed establishments, refraining from sharing personal care items potentially contaminated with blood, and consistent condom use during sexual activity. Free condoms are available at sexual health clinics.

Vaccination is recommended for individuals at high risk of infection, such as those living with or in close proximity to Hepatitis B carriers, individuals with certain medical conditions, travellers to high-risk countries, injection drug users, sex workers, and men who have sex with men.

How is Hepatitis B managed and treated?
In the early stages, hepatitis B can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol, with more severe cases requiring prescription medications. Chronic hepatitis B may necessitate ongoing monitoring of liver function and the use of antiviral medications to prevent liver damage. Effective treatments are available to suppress the virus.

Should you inform others?
Individuals diagnosed with hepatitis B should inform household members, recent sexual partners, and anyone with potential blood-to-blood contact, like needle-sharing partners, to facilitate vaccination and minimize transmission risk. Consulting a doctor can provide guidance on disclosing the diagnosis and managing related conversations.

Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by a blood-borne virus.

How is Hepatitis C transmitted?
The virus is typically spread through blood-to-blood contact, which can occur in various scenarios:

• Sharing needles during drug injection.
• Accidental needle injuries.
• Sharing personal items contaminated with infected blood, such as razors or toothbrushes.
• Exposure to unsterilised equipment during tattooing or piercing.
• Direct contact between open wounds and infected blood.
• Additionally, unprotected sexual intercourse can also facilitate transmission.

What are the symptoms of Hepatitis C?
Symptoms may not manifest during the initial stage of infection. When they do appear, typically within six months of infection, they can mimic other illnesses and include:

• Flu-like symptoms such as muscle aches and fever.
• Persistent fatigue
• Feelings of depression
• Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Nausea and diarrhoea
• Abdominal pain

How is Hepatitis C tested and diagnosed?
Testing is essential to confirm hepatitis C infection. Testing can be conducted at a clinic or through a home test kit, which involves sending a blood sample to a laboratory. Results may take between 12 weeks to 6 months post-infection to appear accurately.

How can you prevent Hepatitis C?
Although there is no vaccine for hepatitis C, preventive measures can help reduce the risk of infection:

• Avoid sharing drug-injecting equipment.
• Receive tattoos or piercings from licensed establishments.
• Refrain from sharing personal care items that could be contaminated with blood.
• Consistently use condoms, especially with new partners and during anal and oral sex.
• Regular testing is recommended, especially for individuals at higher risk of blood-to-blood contact, such as injection drug users.

Can Hepatitis C caused complications?
Untreated hepatitis C can lead to chronic hepatitis, liver damage (cirrhosis), and an increased risk of liver cancer. While some individuals may clear the infection spontaneously, most will require treatment.

What is the treatment for Hepatitis C?
Antiviral medications are used to treat hepatitis C by inhibiting the virus’s replication, thereby limiting or halting liver damage. Early initiation of treatment post-exposure increases its effectiveness.

Should you inform your partner?
If diagnosed with hepatitis C, it’s important to inform anyone with whom there may have been blood-to-blood contact since the time of infection. Consulting a healthcare provider can assist in identifying individuals who may be at risk and in need of testing.

HIV is a viral infection that targets the body’s immune system. While there is no cure, appropriate treatment can effectively lower your viral load. Achieving an undetectable viral load means the virus cannot be transmitted through sex, a principle known as U=U (undetectable equals untransmittable). Timely diagnosis and effective treatment also significantly reduce the likelihood of HIV progressing to AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) or AIDS-related complications.

How is HIV transmitted?
Transmission of HIV primarily occurs through the exchange of bodily fluids during unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse. Additionally, HIV can spread through:

• Vertical transmission from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding.
• Sharing needles, syringes, or other injection equipment contaminated with infected blood.

Transmission through saliva, sweat, or urine is not possible, meaning kissing poses no risk. While the risk is low, transmission through oral sex is plausible.

What are the symptoms of HIV?
The symptoms of HIV may not always manifest, emphasising the importance of regular testing. In some cases, HIV infection can cause flu-like symptoms shortly after exposure, followed by a latent period where no symptoms are present. Symptoms during the initial phase may include fever, sore throat, and body rash.

How is HIV tested and diagnosed?
Testing for HIV is crucial and available at clinics or through home test kits. Laboratory tests using blood samples provide the most accurate results and can detect infection as early as seven weeks post-exposure. Rapid tests, which yield results within 20 minutes, are also available using blood or saliva samples.

How can you prevent HIV?
Preventing HIV transmission involves various measures, including barrier methods like condoms, using lubricants to reduce friction during sex, and considering pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for individuals at high risk. Additionally, avoiding needle-sharing for drug injection is essential. Regular testing is recommended to curb HIV transmission, aligning with national guidelines.

What is the treatment for HIV?
Although there is no cure, HIV treatment involving antiretroviral medication can effectively suppress the virus, allowing the immune system to recover. Maintaining an undetectable viral load for six months or more renders the virus untransmittable during sex.

Should you inform your partner?
Disclosing HIV status to sexual partners and recent contacts is crucial for their testing and treatment. Sexual health clinics offer support in contacting past partners anonymously, ensuring privacy and comprehensive care.

Pubic lice, also known as crab lice or crabs due to their resemblance to tiny crabs under a microscope, inhabit coarse body hair, particularly in the pubic region. Measuring only 1–2mm in length, these insects primarily spread through close body contact, notably sexual activity. While they cannot jump or fly, they can move from one person to another.

How are pubic lice transmitted?
Transmission through sharing clothes, bedding, or towels is rare, as lice rely on blood for survival and typically perish within 1 or 2 days once off the body.

How can you identify pubic lice?
Identifying pubic lice may involve spotting them in body hair, commonly around the genitals, although they can also inhabit chest, leg, armpit, or facial hair, including eyebrows and lashes. Their eggs (nits) are challenging to detect, appearing as tiny yellowish oval dots attached to hairs.

What are the symptoms of pubic lice?
Symptoms of pubic lice include itching, especially worsened at night, along with small red or blue spots on the skin (lice bites) and dark red or brown spots in underwear (lice faeces).

How are pubic lice treated?
Treatment is necessary as lice will not disappear on their own. Medicated creams or shampoos are typically prescribed, obtainable from pharmacies or healthcare providers. Treating pubic lice involves repeating the treatment to ensure the elimination of all lice and eggs. 

Can pubic lice cause long-term issues?
While pubic lice are unlikely to cause significant long-term issues, excessive scratching can lead to skin irritation and potential infection.

What preventative measures can be followed?
Preventive measures include avoiding sexual contact or sharing bedding or clothing with infected individuals until treatment is completed.

Should you inform your partner?
Informing sexual partners and recent contacts about the presence of pubic lice is crucial, urging them to seek treatment even in the absence of symptoms. Sexual health services can assist in notifying individuals anonymously, facilitating comprehensive care and prevention of further transmission.

Syphilis is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can be effectively treated with antibiotics. However, if left untreated, it can lead to severe and potentially life-threatening complications.

How is syphilis transmitted?
Syphilis is primarily transmitted through sexual contact, including oral, vaginal, or anal sex without the use of a condom. It can also be spread by sharing sex toys. Additionally, contact with a syphilis sore on the genitals, anus, or mouth of an infected individual can lead to transmission. While less common, syphilis can also be passed from mother to child during pregnancy, through shared needles used for drug injection, or via blood transfusion or organ transplant (although the latter is rare in the UK due to rigorous screening protocols).

What are the symptoms of syphilis?
Symptoms of syphilis can be subtle and may change over time. They include the presence of small painless sores (ulcers) on the genitals, anus, mouth, lips, or hands during the primary stage. Secondary syphilis may manifest as a skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, or wart-like growths. Late-stage syphilis, which can occur years after infection, can affect various organs and systems, potentially leading to life-threatening complications.

How do you test for syphilis?
Syphilis may not show up in tests immediately after infection, often taking up to 12 weeks (84 days) to detect accurately. Testing can be performed at clinics or through home testing kits, typically involving a blood sample. If done at a clinic, a healthcare professional may also visually examine the body and genitals for signs of infection.

How can syphilis be prevented?
Preventive measures against syphilis include consistent condom use during sexual activity, including oral sex, and avoiding sharing sex toys. Individuals who inject drugs should always use their own needles to prevent transmission. Regular testing for syphilis and other STIs is recommended, particularly for those with multiple sexual partners.

How serious is syphilis?
Untreated syphilis can lead to serious health problems, including heart issues, neurological complications, nerve damage, and organ damage. Although symptoms may not appear for years, the infection can be latent and may result in irreversible damage if left untreated.

How is syphilis treated?
Antibiotics, usually administered as an injection or oral medication, are the primary treatment for syphilis. Early treatment is highly effective, with a single injection of penicillin curing 90-100% of cases. However, some individuals may require multiple doses, especially if the infection has persisted for an extended period.

Should you inform your partner?
Individuals diagnosed with syphilis should inform their current and recent sexual partners, even if they are asymptomatic. Sexual health services can offer support in notifying partners anonymously to ensure they receive necessary testing and treatment.

Trichomoniasis, also known as trich, is an STI caused by a small parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis (TV). It is primarily transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse.

How is trichomoniasis transmitted?
Trichomoniasis is typically spread through vaginal intercourse without the use of a condom. Sharing sex toys can also facilitate transmission. However, it is not believed to be transmissible through oral or anal sex.

What are the symptoms of trichomoniasis?
Many individuals with trichomoniasis may not experience any symptoms, making it possible to have the infection unknowingly. Symptoms are more common in individuals with vaginas compared to those with penises. The infection can persist for months or even years, with symptoms appearing intermittently. Common symptoms include unusual genital discharge, pain or discomfort during urination or intercourse, increased frequency of urination, and genital soreness, pain, or itching.

How is trichomoniasis tested for?
Testing for trichomoniasis can be conducted at sexual health clinics or through a GP. Current guidelines recommend testing for individuals with undiagnosed symptoms, those with infected partners, or those residing in areas with high prevalence rates. Testing typically involves genital examination and sample collection, such as swabs for individuals with vaginas or urine samples for individuals with penises. Test accuracy is highest 1 to 4 weeks after exposure to the infection. At-home testing kits for trichomoniasis, based on nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT), are available for purchase online.

How serious is trichomoniasis?
Untreated trichomoniasis can lead to genital inflammation, increasing the risk of acquiring other STIs, including HIV. Although complications are rare, pregnant individuals with untreated trichomoniasis may experience preterm birth or low birth weight in infants. Cervicitis, inflammation of the cervix, may occur in individuals with vaginas, leading to symptoms such as abnormal bleeding, pain during intercourse, and unusual discharge.

How can trichomoniasis be prevented?
Using condoms during sexual activity, including with sex toys, provides effective protection against trichomoniasis transmission. It is advised to abstain from sex for 7 days after starting treatment, as the infection takes this time to clear. Regular STI testing, at least annually or every 3 months for individuals with multiple partners, is recommended to reduce transmission.

How is trichomoniasis treated?
Typically trichomoniasis requires antibiotic treatment for resolution. If symptoms persist after completing treatment, further testing may be necessary to rule out other STIs. A follow-up test 4 weeks post-treatment, known as a test of cure, is recommended to confirm clearance of the infection.

Should you inform your partner?
Individuals diagnosed with trichomoniasis should notify their current and recent sexual partners within the last 3 months. Partner notification services offered by sexual health clinics can facilitate anonymous communication to ensure partners receive testing and treatment as needed.