Common STIs

Chlamydia

Is the most common treatable bacterial sexually transmitted infection. It can cause serious problems later in life, if it is not treated. It affects the cervix in women. The urethra, rectum and eyes can be infected in both sexes.  It's largely a silent/symptomless infection that affects 1 in 14 young people under 25 years with serious long-term health consequences, particularly infertility.

Signs and symptoms (of which there might be none)

Chlamydia Screening

For FREE confidential chlamydia screening for under 25's speak to a pharmacist or ring Hillingdon Family Planning on 01895 252461.

For further information call

020 8869 5377 or visit

www.chlamydiascreening.nhs.uk

www.youngandfree.org.uk/get-tested/come-see-us/

NHS Chlamydia screening [986kb]

Watch an NHS video to see how chlamydia test is carried out.

Cystitis

Is an inflammation inside the bladder. More than half the women in the UK will have it at sometime. It's much less common in men.

Signs and symptoms

• A burning feeling in the urethra when you pass water. Sometimes there will be blood in the urine or it may be cloudy
• A feeling that you need to pass water very frequently, even though there may be hardly any urine to pass

Genital Herpes

Is caused by the herpes simplex virus. The virus can affect the mouth the genital area and the skin around the anus and fingers. Once the first outbreak of herpes is over, the virus hides away in the nerve fibres, where it remains totally undetected and causes no symptoms.

Types of virus

• Type 1 infects the mouth or nose. It is more likely to reoccur than if type 2 infects this area
• Type 2 infects the genital and anus area, it is more likely to occur than if type 1 affects this area
• Genital and anal infections used to always be caused by type 2. But type 1 is becoming more common in these areas because more people are having oral sex

Gonorrhoea

Is a bacterial infection it is sexually transmitted and can infect the cervix, urethra, rectum, anus and throat.

Signs and symptoms

Genital Warts

Are small fleshy growths, which may appear anywhere on a man or women's genital area. They are caused by a virus called Papilloma (HPV). After you have been infected with the warts virus it usually takes between 1 and 3 months for warts to appear on your genitals but can take much longer.

Signs and symptoms

• You or your partner may notice pinkish/white small lumps or larger cauliflower-shaped on the genital are.
• Warts can appear around the vulva, the penis, the scrotum or anus
• They may occur singly or in groups, they may itch but are usually painless
• Often there are no other symptoms and the warts may be difficult to see
• In women warts can develop inside the vagina and the cervix, this may cause slight bleeding

HIV and AIDS

Visit web links for information on following:

• Difference between HIV and AIDS
• How do you get infected with HIV?
• Is there a cure?

Useful web links:

AIDS, sex and teens

HIV: Lets get talking

Read facts about HIV and AIDS.

NSU

Is an inflammation of a man's urethra. Several different types of infection, the most common being Chlamydia, can cause this inflammation.

Signs and symptoms

• Pain or a burning sensation when passing urine
• A white / cloudy fluid from the tip of the penis (which may be more noticeable in the morning)
• Feeling that you need to pass urine frequently

Pubic Lice (Crabs)

Are tiny parasitic insects, which live in coarse body hair. They are yellow/grey and about 2mm long. They can be found in pubic hair, underarm hair, hairy legs, abdomens and chest, eyelashes and occasionally in eyebrows and beards.

Signs and symptoms (are the same for both men and women

• Itching in the infected area
• Brown eggs (nits) on pubic or other hair
• It is sometimes possible to see the lice on the skin

Trichomonas Vaginalis

Is caused by a tiny parasite. This produces an infection in the vagina and in the urethra in men. It is usually sexually transmitted.

Signs and symptoms

Syphilis

Is a bacterial infection, it is usually passed from an infected mother to her unborn child, it is also transmitted (mainly) by sexual intercourse.

Signs and symptoms

• Primary stage: one or more painless sores appear at the place where the bacteria entered the body. On average, this will be around 21 days - you may not notice them. Sores can appear anywhere on the body.
• On the vulva (lips of the vagina) the clitoris and around the opening of the urethra (the water passage).
• On the cervix (neck of the womb) in women and on the penis and foreskin in men.
• Around the anus and mouth, both male and female.