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All About Infections |
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If you have any of these symptoms, you might have picked up an infection. It may not turn out to be anything serious, but it is very important that you get it checked out.
A change in the normal discharge from the vagina.
Discharge from the penis.
Sores or blisters near the vagina, penis or anus.
Rash or irritation around the vagina, penis or anus.
A burning feeling when peeing.
Pain during sex. ..... More |
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Bacterial Vaginosis |
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Bacterial vaginosis, sometimes called BV, is a very common vaginal infection. It is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI) although it may be caused as a result of semen in the vagina after sex without a condom. Men do not get BV.
Signs and Symptoms
Often there are no symptoms but some women may notice:
• A change in the normal discharge from the vagina.
• Discharge may increase and become thin and watery and have a strong fishy smell, especially after sex.
Getting it
BV is more likely to occur in women when the vagina's pH (how acidic or alkaline it is) is altered and becomes more alkaline. How you get it is not really understood although it may be caused by:
• Using perfumed bubble bath or soap.
• Douching or using vaginal deodorants.
• Using a strong detergent to wash your underwear.
• Smoking.
Diagnosis and Treatments
A doctor or a nurse will take a swab from the inside of the vagina and a sample of pee may be taken.
Treatment for BV is simple and involves taking antibiotic tablets. There are various types of antibiotics available and you should discuss which would best suit you with the doctor or nurse, as some should not be taken if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or on the pill.
A cream to use in the vagina may be given instead. Some creams can weaken latex condoms, diaphragms or caps, so alternative protection should be used during treatment. Again, your doctor or nurse will advise.
Long Term Effects
For many women BV goes away without being treated. BV will not affect your chances of getting pregnant although if you are pregnant it may cause problems such as miscarriage, premature birth or the baby being born underweight.
Treatment when pregnant or breastfeeding will not harm the baby, but do let your doctor or nurse know.
If you think you may have BV, contact your local NHS sexual health clinic (also known as a GUM clinic) and make an appointment. It's easy and completely confidential.
For more information on sexual health (including HIV), call the Sexual Health Line free (from the UK) on 0800 567 123, textphone (for people with hearing impairments) 0800 521 361 or phone your local NHS sexual health clinic...... More |
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Gonorrhoea |
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Gonorrhoea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI), also known as 'the clap'.
Signs and Symptoms
It is possible, although rare, to be infected with gonorrhoea and have no symptoms. It is easier to spot for men than women, as symptoms are more noticeable in a penis than a vagina.
Women - symptoms may include:
• A change in vaginal discharge. This may increase, change to a yellow or greenish colour and it might smell different.
• A pain or burning sensation when peeing.
• Irritation and/or discharge from the anus.
• A sore throat - if infected there.
Men - symptoms may include:
• A yellow or green discharge from the penis.
• Irritation and/or discharge from the anus.
• Inflammation of the testicles and prostate gland.
• A sore throat - if infected there.
Getting It
Gonorrhoea is passed on by:
• Penetrative sex (when the penis enters the vagina or anus).
• Oral sex (from mouth to the genitals or genitals to the mouth).
And less often by:
• Rimming (where a person uses their mouth and tongue to stimulate another person's anus).
• Inserting your fingers into an infected vagina, anus or mouth and then putting them into your own without washing your hands in between.
• Sharing vibrators or other sex toys.
Diagnosis and Treatments
A doctor or a nurse at your local sexual health (GUM) clinic will take a sample using a cotton wool or spongy swab or a small plastic loop from any places which may be infected - the cervix, urethra (pee tube), anus or throat. A sample of pee may be taken.
Results take about a week to come through, but if a doctor or nurse thinks you have gonorrhoea, you will be treated immediately with antibiotics. These may be tablets or an injection. Treatment is essential.
You should avoid all sexual contact until you are given the all clear by the doctor or nurse at the clinic. If you can, you should let anyone that you have had sexual contact with in the last 3 - 6 months know that they may have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and that they need to be checked out and possibly tested. Staff at the clinic will offer you as much support as you need to do this.
A woman can pass on gonorrhoea to her baby if infected at the time of birth. However, treatment with antibiotics when the baby is born is easy and straightforward.
Long Term Effects
If left untreated, gonorrhoea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease in women. This can cause fever, pain and can lead to infertility or ectopic pregnancy (where the baby begins to grow outside the womb) or giving birth to the baby early.
In men, if left untreated, it can lead to inflammation inside the testicles and prostate gland and may affect fertility.
If you think you may have gonorrhoea, contact your local sexual health (GUM) clinic and make an appointment. It's easy and completely confidential.
For more information on sexual health (including HIV), call the Sexual Health Line free (from the UK) on 0800 567 123, textphone (for people with hearing impairments) 0800 521 361 or phone your local NHS sexual health clinic...... More |
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HIV and AIDS |
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HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), which damages the body's defence system so that it cannot fight off certain infections.
Signs and Symptoms
• 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 is no available vaccine against HIV.
• There is still no cure for HIV although anti-retroviral drugs have been developed, which mean that some people can stay well for longer. These don't suit everybody.
Getting It
There are four main ways to get HIV:
• By having vaginal, anal or oral sex without a condom with someone who has HIV.
• By using needles, syringes or other drug injecting or tattooing 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 a country where these are not tested. In the UK all blood, blood products and donated organs are tested for HIV.
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.
Testing, Diagnosis and Treatments
HIV can be diagnosed by a simple blood test, which checks your blood for antibodies to HIV. Your body produces antibodies in response to being infected with a virus. Sexual health (GUM) clinics offer free HIV testing and screening for other infections.
All information is strictly confidential.
You can go to any clinic, anywhere in the country. You don't have to use a local one and you don't have to be referred by your GP.
What if the result is HIV negative?
This means that no antibodies were found in your blood, which usually means that you do not have HIV. It can however, take the body up to three months to produce antibodies (the window period). If you think you have been at risk less than three months ago, you might need to have a repeat test. Remember - even if your test result is negative, you can still become infected in the future if you put yourself at risk.
What if the result is HIV positive?
This means that you have HIV antibodies in your blood and are HIV positive. Being HIV positive means you will need to look at ways of taking particular care of your own health. It also means that you can pass on the virus to others. So:
• Always use a condom for vaginal, oral or anal sex.
• If you inject drugs, do not let other people use your equipment.
• Remember that you cannot pass on the virus through everyday social contact.
• Avoid sharing toothbrushes or shaving equipment.
You will be able to discuss the test result with a health care professional such as a doctor, nurse or health adviser. They can talk to you about the possible ways of helping you decide who to and who not to tell. This may include current and past sexual partners.
There are treatments that can help delay the onset of AIDS and you can discuss whether or when to start these with your consultant. This decision is important as the effectiveness of the treatment depends on starting it at the right time.
If you think you may have HIV, contact your local sexual health (GUM) clinic and make an appointment. It's easy and completely confidential.
Sex, and Staying Safe
What is safer sex?
Any sex that does not allow an infected partner's blood, semen, pre-ejaculatory (precum) fluid, or fluid from the vagina to get inside the other partner's body. Some kinds of sexual activity - such as kissing or masturbation - carry no risk of HIV.
What are the riskiest kinds of sex?
Vaginal and anal sex without a condom carry the highest risk. HIV can be passed on to either partner - male or female, gay or straight - during penetrative sex (where the penis enters the vagina or anus) and less commonly oral sex without a condom.
How safe is oral sex?
There is some risk from oral sex (from mouth to the genitals or genitals to mouth), but it is less risky than vaginal or anal sex without a condom. The risk can be further reduced by:
• Avoiding getting semen or pre-ejaculatory fluid (precum) in the mouth, particularly if there are any cuts, sores or ulcers in the mouth.
• Avoid oral sex with a woman when she is having her period.
• Using a condom for oral sex with a man.
• Using a dental dam for oral sex with a woman.
For more information on sexual health (including HIV), call the Sexual Health Line free (from the UK) on 0800 567 123, textphone (for people with hearing impairments) 0800 521 361 or phone your local NHS sexual health clinic...... More |
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