Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Cactus with a condom on it You can catch various infections through having unprotected sex or even just through close intimate contact with an infected person. Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can have unpleasant and embarrassing symptoms, like unwanted discharges, warts, pain and bleeding. Others might not have symptoms which you can see.

What kinds of STIs are out there?

There are many different sexually transmitted infections that are common amongst young people. They will all affect your health and can lead to long-term problems if they aren’t treated.The most common STIs include:

Chlamydia
Genital Herpes
Genital Warts
Gonorrhoea
HIV
Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C
Public Lice (also known as Crabs)
Syphilis
Scabies

Did you know
Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection amongst young people. It’s dangerous because it often has no symptoms and can lead to infertility if not treated. This means in the future it might be extremely difficult for you to have a baby.

The spreading of STIs

Sexually transmitted infections can be spread in many ways including:

Having unprotected sex. You can become infected through any type of sexual activity where you come into contact with someone else's body fluids, including oral and anal sex. Bacterial or viral STIs like Chlamydia or HIV can be spread in this way.
Skin-to-skin contact with an infected area or sore. STIs which involve parasites such as public lice or scabies can be spread in this way, as well as viral and bacterial infections like Genital Warts.
At birth. Some STIs are transmitted at birth from mother to baby or by breastfeeding.
Sharing infected needles, such as drug users might do or from using infected ear-piercing, tattooing or acupuncture equipment.

Condoms are one of the best forms of protection from sexually transmitted infections. But no form of contraception is ever 100% effective - condoms do not protect you from skin-to-skin contact STIs, like scabies, so it’s important to make sure your partner doesn’t have and STI.

If you catch an STI and have unprotected sex with someone, then you are putting them at risk of catching it too.

Avoiding STIs

You can reduce the chances of catching an STI by doing the following:

Have only safe sex and use condoms every time. Even having unprotected sex with someone once can result in an infection.
Be careful about who you choose to have sex with. Some STIs have symptoms which do not show and you can’t tell if your partner is honest about who else they may be sleeping with. Be honest with each other and make sure they do not have an infection.

Get yourself screened

If you've had unprotected sex, there's a possibility you've picked up an infection without realising it. Sexually transmitted infections are not just embarrassing to have, but they can be seriously harmful to your health, harmful to the health of your sexual partners and can stop you from enjoying sex.

Visit your local sexual health or GUM (Genito-Urinary Medicine) clinic, like The Point at the Wolverton Centre, for screening services, contraceptives and free confidential advice. See the Ku19 Clinics page for more information (link below).

Checkurself

See the Chlamydia page for more info about how you can get a free postal kit to check yourself for Chlamydia.

Also see:

Condoms
Protect yourself from STIs by only having safe sex.
Ku19 Clinics
Kingston's health service for under 19s. Drop in at one of the Ku19 clinics in the Borough or call, text or email for health advice and info on sex, contraception, pregancy and chlamydia testing.