Sexually Transmitted Diseases

All the information about STIs that maybe you were afraid to ask. This page is a reference guide, but it does not replace a visit to the Sexual Health Clinic. I've tried to make it easy to use. First of all there's a table of the common STIs (Also known as STDs, and even, years ago as Venereal Diseases, or VD). What you should do with this page is to print it off. It's a reference guide. There are lots of tables, and scrolling through it on the screen is a pain. It isn't a total guide. By which I mean that this page is intended for men. Women's symptoms aren't covered.   Chlamydia   Affects Penis Throat Anus Common Symptoms Often none, or slow to develop Pain or stinging on peeing Discharge from penis or anus Inflamed or painful anus Description Caused by a bacteria Transmission Usually passed by penetrative or oral sex Treatment Total success with correct antibiotics Requires at least 2 visits to the clinic Complications if left untreated Ball pain Can spread to the eyes Increases risk of HIV transmission Prevention Condoms reduce the risk Promptly inform partner(s) of possible infection Have regular checkups Genital Warts Also known as Warts, HPV (see below) Affects Penis Testicles/ scrotum Anus Common Symptoms White or tiny cauliflower shaped lumps on the skin Itchy inside anus (Itching outside is more likely to be the result of a worm infestation) Description Caused by the human papiloma virus (HPV) Very common and can reoccur Transmission Highly infectious, easily passed by close body contact Treatment Easily treated, but may require several visits to the clinic Complications if left untreated Highly infectious (your partner will become infected) Will spread Prevention Condoms reduce the risk Gonorrhoea Clap, Drip Affects Penis Throat Anus Common Symptoms Often no obvious symptoms Sore Throat Pain on defecation (shitting) or peeing Yellowish discharge from penis or anus Inflamed or painful anus Description Caused by a bacteria Transmission Usually passed by penetrative or oral sex Treatment Total success with correct antibiotics Requires at least 2 visits to the clinic Complications if left untreated Can spread to the prostate and the testicles Increases the risk of HIV transmission Prevention Condoms reduce the risk Promptly inform partner(s) of possible infection Have regular checkups Hepatitis A Infectious Hepatitis Affects Liver Common symptoms Nausea and Tiredness Yellow skin and eyes Pale excrement, dark urine Description Caused by a virus (antibiotics do not work on a virus) Leaves you tired and unable to eat fatty food or drink alcohol for several months Transmission Poor hygiene Intimate sexual contact Treatment NONE Usually requires 2 to 3 months for full recovery Complications Can be fatal in rare cases Prevention Vaccination is the only reliable way of preventing infection Promptly inform your partner Hepatitis B Viral Hepatitis Affects Liver Common Symptoms Nausea and Tiredness Yellow skin and eyes Pale excrement, dark urine Description Caused by a virus (antibiotics do not work on a virus) A serious disease of the liver Leaves you tired and unable to eat fatty food or drink alcohol for several months Transmission Penetrative oral or anal sex Needle Sharing Treatment Hospitalisation Requires months for recovery Complications Chronic ("long term") infection can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and cancer of the liver Prevention Vaccination is the only reliable way of preventing infection Condoms reduce risk of infection Promptly inform your partner Herpes Cold sores, HSV1, HSV2 Affects Penis Mouth Anus Testicles/ Scrotum Common Symptoms Clusters of small painful blisters which eventually turn into scabs Pain on defecation or peeing Often no symptoms Description Caused by herpes simplex viruses A common infectious disease Highly infectious during outbreaks First outbreak usually the most severe Transmission Passed on by penetrative oral and anal sex Treatment Cannot be cured Antiviral drugs speed up healing and reduce discomfort Complications if left untreated Medical advice is needed if the outbreak is severe or they are frequent Prevention Condoms reduce risk of infection Promptly inform your partner

HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus Affects Immune System Common Symptoms Usually no obvious symptoms at time of infection May cause a flu like illness soon after infection Opportunistic infections appear years later Description HIV is the virus which either causes AIDS or allows AIDS to invade the body AIDS may develop quite soon, or may take many years to develop. So far 30 years is the longest proven (or assumed) development period Transmission Primarily passed on by penetrative sex Needle sharing Body fluids form an infected person entering your bloodstream Treatment There is no cure. Combination drug treatments are improving the health and longevity of many people with the HIV infection Complications if left untreated Faster progression to AIDS related illnesses Prevention Condoms are highly effective in preventing the sexual transmission of HIV Have regular checkups NSU Non Specific Urethritis Affects Penis Common Symptoms Sometimes no obvious symptoms Discharge from penis Pain when peeing Desire to pee more often Inflammation round genital area Description Usually caused by a bacteria A common infectious disease Transmission Penetrative oral or anal sex Treatment Successfully treated with correct antibiotics Requires at least 2 visits to the clinic Complications if left untreated May lead to inflammation of the testicles and be extremely painful during sex Increases risk of HIV transmission Prevention Condoms reduce the risk Promptly inform partner(s) of possible infection Have regular checkups Public Lice and Scabies Crabs Affects Pubic Hair Anus Anal cleavage Skin Common Symptoms Itching in genital and anal areas (pubic lice) Red and itchy skin (Scabies) Description Small crab like mites visible in pubic region (pubic lice) Transmission Close bodily contact Treatment Special lotions plus laundering of clothes and bedding Complications if left untreated Can be very irritating Easily passed on Prevention Avoid close contact with people who show signs of infestation Syphilis VD, Pox Affects Penis Mouth Anus Common Symptoms Often no obvious symptoms Painless sore in region of contact which eventually heals Description A highly infectious disease Appears to go away if left untreated after initial infection - lulls you into a false sense of security Usually diagnosed by a blood test Treatment Successfully treated by correct antibiotics in the early stages - Act early May require repeated clinic visits Complications if left untreated Causes serious illness of death if not treated correctly in the early stages - Act early Increases risk of HIV transmission Prevention Condoms reduce the risk Promptly inform partner(s) of possible infection Have regular checkups