Sexually Transmitted Infections
What is an STI?
An STI is a Sexually Transmitted Infection. It's a viral,
bacterial, or parasite infection that is spread through sexual
contact. This contact covers vaginal, oral or anal sex, and
sometimes contact with bodily fluids such as sperm, saliva, blood,
and vaginal discharge. So even if you use contraception, you can
still get some STIs. Chlamydia is the most common STI, followed by
Gonorrhoea, genital herpes and genital warts.
How do I know if I have an STI?
Some STIs will show up straight after you have sexual contact
with someone. For others, it will take a few days, months or years
after you have had unprotected sex. A few have no symptoms at all.
Most STIs can be sorted out easily. It's when you leave them
untreated that they can affect your long-term health.
If you have any of the following, it's time to get checked
out:
- In women, bleeding after sex or between periods
- sores, blisters, warts, rashes, irritation or itching near your
genitals or anus
- pain when you go to the loo, or you need to go to the toilet
more often than usual
- pain during sex
- pelvic or lower abdominal (tummy) pain.
If you have any of the symptoms above you need to get tested for
STIs. Go to see your local GP, to a sexual health clinic or talk to
someone at EYPDAS. We offer testing for some STIs at our
centre.
Types of STIs
Below are some common STIs. Click on each to find out more.
The only way to protect against STIs is to use a condom when you
have sex.
Our sexual health services