The days of free love are long gone – careless sleeping around brings with it a price. Are you aware of the dangers of STIs?
It is estimated that one in nine people in the UK have had a sexually transmitted infection (STI) at some point in their life, although there could be thousands of people walking around with one right now, because the symptoms are not always obvious, and sometimes non-existent.
The safest way to protect against STIs is to use condoms every time you have sex to provide a barrier between you and your partner. If your partner has previously had sex with anyone else at all before you, you are potentially at risk.
Unprotected sex = potential STI
In theory, jumping into bed with someone and having unprotected sex could be like having unprotected sex with the sum of all their partners, and their partners' partners, and their partners' partners' partners.....there really is no guarantee to be safe, so using a condom is the best way to protect yourself.
When it comes to STIs, many people may seem to know the names of some of them. But often they don't want to admit what the disease actually is, or does, or if it can be treated. Here we look at a few of the more common STIs to help you understand them.
Chlamydia
The most common STI amongst young people in the UK, Chlamydia can cause infertility, and shows no symptoms in 70% of girls and 50% of boys. Girls may experience increased vaginal discharge, pain during sex and/or bleeding after sex. Boys may experience discharge from the penis, a painful/burning sensation when going to the loo, and a painful swelling of the testicles if left untreated.
A simple course of antibiotics can cure Chlamydia.
Gonorrhoea
Also known as 'the clap', Gonorrhoea is serious because if not treated early it can lead to some very serious health problems. The good news is it's easily treated with antibiotics.
Most people experience symptoms if they have Gonorrhoea. But these symptoms are far more noticeable in boys than girls.
Girls may notice a change in normal vaginal discharge - this may increase, change to a yellow or greenish colour and develop a strong smell. Other symptoms include a pain or burning sensation when going for a pee, irritation and/or discharge from the anus, and pain during sex.
Boys might experience a yellow or green discharge from the penis, irritation and/or discharge from the anus, and inflammation of the testicles and prostate gland.
Syphilis
Syphilis is a bacterial infection that can spread without either partner knowing. The first signs are often a painless sore or rash followed by flu-like symptoms. Left untreated, it can lead to heart disease or brain damage.
Syphilis has three stages:
- Primary stage symptoms — a sore can develop where bacteria entered the body.
- Secondary stage symptoms — a sore in the mouth, a rash can develop, warty growths on genitals and a flu-like illness may develop.
- If left untreated, over time syphilis can lead to heart, joint and nervous system damage.
Genital Herpes
When you get a cold sore on your face it is the Herpes virus. But you can also get Herpes on the genitals or anywhere else on your body. Once you get Herpes it will stay with you for life — there is no known cure. However, there are treatments available that will help.
- Signs and symptoms
Itching or tingling sensation in the genital or anal area.
Small fluid-filled blisters. These burst and leave small painful sores. They will dry out, scab over and heal but it could take two to four weeks to heal.
Pain when going for a pee.
A flu-like illness, backache, headache.
- How do you get it?
Kissing (mouth to mouth).
Penetrative sex (when the penis enters the vagina or anus).
Oral sex (from mouth to the genitals).
- Long-term effects
Herpes is treatable, but not curable. There is no known cure for Herpes but the painful blisters won't be there all the time. The first outbreak of sores is always the worst. Some people never get any more after that. A course of tablets taken early may make the sores less painful and heal quicker.
Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C
Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) are infections of the liver caused by a virus. They are much easier to get than HIV, and can cause permanent liver disease and cancer. Most people have no obvious symptoms, and there is no known cure.
Signs and symptoms may include:
- A short, flu-like illness
- Fatigue (tiredness and feeling weak)
- Nausea and vomiting (feeling and being sick)
- Diarrhoea
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Itchy skin
- Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes) in a small number of cases
Hepatitis B can be diagnosed by a simple blood test. Most people who acquire Hepatitis B as adults will clear the infection and become immune. A vaccine is also available to help protect against Hepatitis B, and is available for people most at risk. Hepatitis C is also diagnosed by a blood test, and about 1 in 5 people manage to clear the virus from their blood. The others remain infected and after a number of years they could develop serious liver disease. In the last couple of years a treatment has become available but it is often not very successful.
HIV
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a serious virus that can damage the body's defence system, meaning it cannot fight off certain infections.
If someone with HIV goes on to get certain serious illnesses, this condition is called AIDS which stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
Most people with HIV look and feel healthy for a long time, so you can't tell who has the virus just by looking at them.
There are four main ways in which HIV can be passed on:
- By having vaginal, anal or oral sex without a condom with someone who has HIV.
- By using needles, syringes or other drug-injecting equipment that is infected with HIV.
- From a woman with HIV to her baby (before or during birth) and by breastfeeding.
- By receiving infected blood, blood products or donated organs as part of medical treatment. In the UK all blood, blood products and donated organs are screened for HIV and infected materials are destroyed. This may not be the case in some developing countries and in eastern Europe.
You cannot get HIV through:
- Kissing, touching, hugging, shaking hands
- Sharing crockery and cutlery
- Coughing or sneezing
- Contact with toilet seats
- Insect or animal bites
- Eating food prepared by someone with HIV.
An HIV test involves taking a blood sample, which is then checked for antibodies to HIV. There is still no cure for HIV although drugs have been developed which mean that most people can stay well for longer.
Despite a seemingly common fear of doctors and medical centres, there is plenty of help for anyone worried about STIs. Check out the external links to find out more information – it could be the most important thing you ever do.
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