If you are having sex you may be at risk of catching an STI. Find out how to reduce the risk and what to do if you have symptoms of an STI.


Gonorrhoea (CLAP)
A bacterial infection that should be treated as soon as possible.

Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a common infection caused by bacteria. Treatment is easy but important.

Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus. It can often go unrecognised.

Hepatitis
Find out about the different forms of Hepatitis, and how they are transmitted and treated.

Non-Specific Urethritis
Inflammation of a man's urethra is easily treated. Find out more.

Syphilis
Syphilis is a bacteria infection that, if left untreated can cause serious problems in it's later stages.

Genital Warts
Caused by a common STI, these are small fleshy lumps that can appear around the genitals or anus.

Pubic lice (Crabs)
Pubic lice, also knows as Crabs, are tiny insects about the size of a pin that live in pubic hair.

Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV)
A previously rare STI that started to appear in the UK in 2004.



Gonorrhoea (CLAP)


Gonorrhoea is an infection caused by bacteria that live in the urethra (the pipe in the penis that urine comes down) in men or in the vagina in women, as well as in the throat or the anus and rectum.


Symptoms

In men symptoms of gonorrhoea can be:


In women symptoms of gonorrhoea can be:

NB. Many men or women who have Gonorrhoea do not have any symptoms.


How it is transmitted

You can get Gonorrhoea by having sex with someone who already has it through:

NB. A pregnant woman who has Gonorrhoea can pass it on to her baby during childbirth.


Do you think you may have Gonorrhoea?

If you think you may have Gonorrhoea you can go to your nearest GU (Genitourinary) details of GU and contact numbers are on the GU page on this website. You can also see your family doctor.

By law, sexual health clinics can not tell anyone about your visit to the GU, these rules do not apply to your GP who can tell other people about your appointment.


Testing

The doctor or nurse will test you for Gonorrhoea by taking a small sample with cotton wool or a swab:


In both men and women swabs can be taken from the throat or the rectum. Having a swab taken is not painful, although it may be uncomfortable.


Treatment

After the swabs have been tested, you will then be told if you have Gonorrhoea. To get rid of Gonorrhoea it usually takes a course of antibiotics in tablet form, or you might be given a liquid or injection. You may be asked to make a return visit by your doctor to check that the Gonorrhoea has gone.


Why is treatment important?

It is important to get rid of Gonorrhoea because if it stays in your body it can lead to serious health problems. No one is immune to Gonorrhoea, if you have had it you can get it again.


Protect yourself and others

If you have Gonorrhoea it is best to tell anyone you have had sex with recently so that they can get a check up. Remember, until the Gonorrhoea is treated, and until you have taken all the antibiotics, you can still pass it on to anyone you have sex with.

Using a condom can help protect against getting and passing on Gonorrhoea or other sexually transmitted infections. Dental dams can also be used during oral sex, rimming for safer sex. You can order free safer sex packs from this website.


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Chlamydia


Chlamydia is a common infection caused by bacteria and easy to pass on. The bacteria lives on the urethra in men or in the vagina in women, as well as in the throat or rectum.


Symptoms

In men symptoms of Chlamydia can be:


In women symptoms of Chlamydia can be:

However, most men or women who have Chlamydia do not have any symptoms.


Do you think you may have Chlamydia?

If you think you may have Chlamydia you can go to your nearest GU, details of GU and contact numbers are on the GUM page on this website. You can also see your family doctor.

By law, a sexual health clinic can not tell anyone about your visit to the GU, these rules do not apply to your GP who can tell other people about your appointment.


Testing

The nurse or doctor will take a small sample with cotton wool or a swab.

Having a swab is not painful, but it may be uncomfortable.


Treatment

To treat Chlamydia you will need to complete a course of antibiotics.


Why is treatment important?

It is important to get rid of Chlamydia because if it stays it can cause serious health problems.

No one is immune to Chlamydia, if you have had it you can get it again.


Protect yourself and others

If you have Chlamydia it is best to tell anyone you have had sex with recently so that they can get a check up. Remember, until the Chlamydia is treated, and until you have taken all the antibiotics, you can still pass it on to anyone you have sex with.

Using a condom can help protect against getting and passing on Chlamydia or other sexually transmitted infections. Dental dams can also be used during oral sex, rimming for safer sex. You can order free safer sex packs from this website.


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Genital Herpes


Genital Herpes is a very common infection caused by a virus called the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)

Most people who have HSV do not have any symptoms, or do not recognise the symptoms because they are mild. Therefore many people who have HSV do not know they have it.


Symptoms

Symptoms of Herpes, which you can get anything from a week to a few years after getting the virus, can be:


How it is transmitted

HSV is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, through oral sex. Anal, vaginal sex without condoms, rimming, masturbating other people, inserting fingers into someone’s anus or vagina, kissing someone with a cold sore in or around their mouth.


Do you think you may have Genital Herpes?

If you think you may have Herpes you can go to your nearest GU, details of GU and contact numbers are on the GUM page on this website. You can also see your family doctor.

By law a sexual health clinic can not tell anyone about your visit to the GU, these rules do not apply to your GP who can tell other people about your appointment.


Testing

The doctor or nurse will test you for HSV by taking a small sample with cotton wool or a swab. This is not painful.


Treatment

There is no cure for HSV from your body, you may be given tablets which can help it to clear up quicker. The virus stays in your body but your immune system should keep it under control most of the time. For genital, anal warts the doctor, nurse or chemist can advice you on creams an lotions that may help, do not use cold sore creams in these areas of the body.

Some people find that they get outbreaks when they are:


Protect yourselves and others

If you have Herpes it is best to tell anyone you have had sex with recently so that they can get a check up.

Using a condom can help protect against getting and passing on Herpes or other sexually transmitted infections. Dental dams can also be used during oral sex, rimming for safer sex. You can order free safer sex packs from this website.


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Hepatitis


What causes hepatitis?

Hepatitis means 'inflammation of the liver' and it can be caused by viruses passed on during sex. Different viruses cause different types of hepatitis, some of which are more serious than others.

Hepatitis A, B, and C are the most common viruses. Vaccinations can protect against hepatitis A and B. a combined vaccine protects against both A and B.


Hepatitis A


What causes Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is caused by a virus found in human waste. Its spread when tiny amounts of human waste get into the mouth.


Symptoms

Symptoms can be mild, so you may not realise you have hepatitis A. but up to six weeks after being infected you may feel mild flu-like symptoms. Other symptoms are:

You may also get jaundice, which means:


How is hepatitis A passed on?

The virus, contained in human waste, needs to get into your mouth to infect you. Minute traces of human waste can be left on your hands and on food prepared by an infectious person. Water can also become contaminated, especially abroad.

During sex human waste can get on your fingers and in your mouth through:


Vaccinations

There are two types of vaccinations against hepatitis A. One protects for only a few months. It's called immunoglobulin and is given to people travelling to countries where hepatitis A is common. The other protects for years (this is the one gay men need). The first injection protects for a year; a second is given a few weeks later to increase your protection to 10 years. After 10 years you need a booster injection.


Where to get vaccinated

The hepatitis A vaccination is free and you can get from your GP or a GUM clinic. Your GP may give you the vaccination if you say your gay, but you may not want your GP to know this.


Treatment

The treatment for Hepatitis A is plenty of rest, which can mean weeks of sick. Your doctor will tell you how long you should avoid drinking alcohol for a while whilst your liver recovers. And you will need to avoid recreational drugs.

A blood test can show when you have fully recovered.


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Hepatitis B


Hepatitis B is very infectious and can easily be passed on during sex. Many people get it without realising. For others it can mean months of feeling ill and not being able to drink alcohol. For a few people who get it, it will be fatal.


What causes hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is caused by a virus that attacks the liver. It's found in body fluids like blood, semen and saliva.


Symptoms

Many people have no symptoms. But weeks or several months after getting infected you may get a flu-like illness which can be mild or more severe.

Other symptoms can include:

You may also get jaundice, which means:

The majority of people get over the symptoms, suffer no lasting damage and stop being infectious. One in ten people who get the virus become 'carriers', which means they feel fine but can still infect other people.


How is Hepatitis B passed on?

The virus is usually in:

The virus is a lot more infectious than HIV, so it's much easier to get or pass on during unprotected sex. It can be passed on through

It can be passed on by sharing toothbrushes or razors (they could have infected blood on them).

The virus can be in saliva and urine, so it's possible it could be passed on through kissing and water sports, but this isn't common.


Vaccination

Gay men are at greater risk of hepatitis B, GUM clinics offer free vaccinations. Some GP's also give the vaccine but this means telling them you are gay and you may not want this to go on your medical records.

You might be given a blood test before your vaccinated which shows if you've already had hepatitis B. If you have your now immune, cant get it again and don't need the vaccine.

The vaccinations are given as two or three injections over six months. You only get the full protection if you have had all the infections. A blood test after the last injection will show if the vaccine has worked. After 5 years you will need another booster injection.


How is hepatitis treated?

You will need plenty of rest if you get hepatitis B, which can mean many weeks of sick. You may have to stop drinking alcohol and avoid recreational drugs for up to a year while your liver recovers.

If tests show you are a carrier, medication may be able to control the virus.


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Hepatitis C


Hepatitis C is the most serious type of hepatitis. It has only been known about for a few years.


What causes Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is caused by a virus that seems to be not very easily passed on through sex.


Symptoms

Very few people with Hepatitis C notice any symptoms when first infected with hepatitis C. even over time symptoms are difficult to spot, and can take years before you feel ill. But eventually it can cause the same symptoms as hepatitis A and B. Extreme tiredness, mental confusion and depression can also be symptoms.

Many people with untreated Hepatitis C eventually develop some kind of liver disease, such as liver cancer. You many need a liver transplant.


How is hepatitis C passed on?

The virus is mainly in blood and is spread when infected blood gets into another persons body, it could also be passed on through semen and vaginal fluid.

It can be passed on through:


Vaccination

There is no vaccine for hepatitis C. These reduce the risk:


How is Hepatitis treated?

Infection is confirmed through a blood test which looks for hepatitis C antibodies: these can take up to six months to appear in the blood.

Treatment last 6 to 12 months and involves drugs. This is successful for the about half of people treated.

Left untreated Hepatitis can cause liver damage.


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Non-specific urethritis (NSU)


Non-specific urethritis is the inflammation of a man's urethra. The urethra is the tube down the middle of the penis that carries urine out of the body.

Non- specific urethritis can be caused by:


Symptoms

Symptoms of NSU can be:

Most men who have NSU do not get any symptoms.


How is it transmitted?

You can get NSU through having sex. It is easily passed on through penetrative vaginal or anal sex without a condom. It can be passed through oral sex and on fingers from the vagina to the penis.


Do you think you may have NSU?

If you think you have NSU you can go to your nearest GUM clinic (details of GUM clinic on this website). You can also visit your local or family doctor (GP). The GUM clinic is not allowed by law to tell anybody of your appointment, but your GP is.


Testing

The doctor will test you for NSU by taking a small sample with cotton wool or a swab. Swabs are usually taken from the tip of the penis. Having a swab is not painful but may feel uncomfortable.


Treatment

If you have NSU it is usually very easy to get rid of it with a course of antibiotics, you have to take all the medication to cure the NSU.


Why get treated

It is important to get rid of NSU as, in some rare cases, if it is untreated it can lead to other health problems. It can infect the testicles.


Protect yourself and others

Using a condom can help protect against NSU. Remember too that using a condom will protect you against getting or passing on other sexually transmitted infections. Dental dams can also be used during oral sex, rimming for safer sex. You can order free safer sex packs from this website.


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Syphilis


Syphilis is an infection which is caused by bacteria. It is most easily passed on through penetrative vaginal and anal sex without a condom. It can also be passed on through oral sex, inserting fingers into the vagina and anus, fisting. The bacteria lives in warm, moist parts of the body such as inside the mouth, anus, penis, and vagina. It is easy to pass on.


Symptoms

There are a number of symptoms of Syphilis, which show up at different stages in the infection. The symptoms are the same for men and women.


Early symptoms

About three weeks after catching Syphilis one or more sores may appear on the body, usually around the penis or vagina. Anytime from a few weeks to a few months later a rash may appear: these small spots don't itch. At the same time other sores may appear and the person may feel unwell, often as if they have a very bad cold. During this time the person is very infectious.

In these early stages the Syphilis is usually easy to treat.


Later stages

When Syphilis is not treated and it stays in the body people can go on to much more serious health problems later in life. These can include:

It is possible to get rid of Syphilis during this stage but sometimes the serious problems do not go away.


Do you think you may have Syphilis?

If you think you may have Syphilis you can go to your nearest GUM clinic (details on this website). You can also visit your local or family GP.

By law the sexual health clinic cannot tell anyone about your visit, these rules do not apply to your GP who can tell other people about your appointment.


Testing

The doctor will test you for Syphilis with a simple blood test. If you have a sore on your body they will swab this with a cotton wool stick. They will also examine you. None of these tests will be painful but may be uncomfortable.


Treatment

If you have Syphilis it is usually easy to get rid of it with a course of antibiotics, taken either as tablets or injections. You will have to take all the medication to kill the Syphilis. Once you have taken the antibiotics you will need to return to the doctor to make sure the Syphilis is gone.


Protect yourself and others

You will need to tell anyone you have had sex with, as soon as possible that you have been diagnosed with Syphilis so that they can get checked out too. It is important to get rid of the Syphilis early as it can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.

Using a condom can help protect against getting Syphilis. Remember that using a condom will help protect you against getting or passing on other sexually transmitted infections. Dental dams can also be used during oral sex, rimming for safer sex. You can order free safer sex packs from this website.


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Genital warts


Genital warts are small fleshy lumps that can appear around a man's penis and testicles, a woman's vagina or around the anus.


Symptoms

Genital warts do not usually hurt, although symptoms can be:


How it is transmitted

Genital warts are spread by close skin-to-skin contact. Through unprotected penetrative vaginal and anal sex, inserting fingers into vagina or anus, oral sex and fisting. If you have sex with someone who has genital warts you may get the virus that causes warts as well.

Warts cannot be caught from toilet seats or swimming pools. Also, as the warts on your hands are a different type to genital warts, they cannot be passed from someoneÕs hand to your genitals.


Do you think you may have genital warts?

If you think you may have genital warts you can go to your nearest GUM clinic (details on this website). You can visit your local or family GP.

By law the sexual health clinic cannot tell anyone about your visit, these rules do not apply to your GP who can tell other people about your appointment.


Testing

The doctor or nurse can usually tell whether you have warts just by looking. However, they may have to check by putting some drops of liquid onto the lump. This does not hurt at all.


Treatment

Occasionally warts go away by themselves, however, it is best not to rely on this but to get help from a doctor. The doctor may treat them by:

These methods will gradually remove the warts and are not painful.

Sometimes you may have to visit the doctor a number of times over a few months for treatment until the warts have gone.


Protect yourself and others

Using a condom can help protect against getting genital warts. Remember also that a condom will help protect you against getting or passing on other sexually transmitted infections. Dental dams can also be used during oral sex, rimming for safer sex. You can order free safer sex packs from this website.


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Pubic Lice (CRABS)


Pubic lice are tiny insects, or parasites, that are about the size of the head of a pin. They are also called 'Crabs' because of what they look like.

Pubic lice live in the pubic hair, which is the hair around the penis and the vagina. They are also sometimes found in other body hair such as on the legs, under arms or on the stomach. They do not live in the hair on your head.


Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of pubic lice can be:

Some people notice the lice themselves but usually they are too small to see.


How are they passed on?

Pubic lice are passed on by close skin-to-skin contact, often during sex, although they can be passed on by other contact, such as sharing a bed. You cannot get lice from sharing a lavatory seats or by simply sharing a chair with someone.


Do you think you may have pubic lice (Crabs)?

If you think you have pubic lice you can go to your nearest GUM clinic (details on this website). You can also visit your family or local GP.

By law the sexual health clinic cannot tell anyone about your visit, these rules do not apply to your GP who can tell other people about your appointment.


Testing

The doctor or nurse can tell you whether you have lice just by looking: often they will use a microscope to do this.


Treatment

The doctor will give you some lotion to put on that will get rid of the pubic lice. You can put the lotion on at home and this does not hurt. You will usually have to apply the lotion a few times over a day or so until the lice have gone. The doctor may ask you to return for a check up to make sure the lice have all been killed.

Sometimes you still itch for a time after the lice have gone. The doctor can give you a lotion for this.

You should wash the bedclothes you slept in, any towels you have used and any clothes you have worn while you had the lice to make sure you get rid of them.


Inform your partners

If you have pubic lice it is best to tell anyone you may have had sex with or been in close contact with, so that they can get a check up.


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LGV (Lymphogranuloma Venereum)


LGV is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a certain type of Chlamydia bacteria. It's started to spread among gay men so everyone needs to look out for it.


LGV

Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV) is a sexually transmitted infection not normally seen in the UK. But since 2004 several hundred gay men have been infected with it.

LGV is caused by a rare type of Chlamydia bacteria and is cured with antibiotics.


How is LGV passed on?

Men with lots of sexual partners are more at risk. Unprotected anal sex and fisting without latex gloves are the main ways the infection is spread. Using sex toys, like dildos, on more than one person can also spread the bacteria.


Symptoms

There are three stages to LGV, with different symptoms depending on what part of the body is infected.

Stage one:

Three days to three weeks after getting infected a small, painless sore might appear in your moth or anus, or on your penis. Many people don't get a sore or notice one.

Stage two:

Ten to 30 days later (or longer) your glands may become painfully swollen and you may feel ill and feverish. If you get infected in the anus you can get painful inflammation, ulcers and discharge there. If the infection is in your penis you may get a discharge and the glands in your groin can swell. An infection in the mouth may cause the glands in your neck or armpit to swell.

Stage three:

If it is left untreated for a long time, LGV will cause serious lasting damage to your anus and penis.


Treatment

Three or more weeks of antibiotics can cure LGV if it is treated before stage three.


Protect yourself and others

You can reduce the risk of getting LGV if you use condoms, and use latex gloves for fisting. If you share sex toys, cover them with a fresh condom for each person they're used on. You can order free safer sex packs, Latex gloves and dental dams from this website.


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