Sexually transmissible infections (STIs)

You are at risk of getting an STI if:

• you don’t use condoms during sex or dental dams (a thin latex square held over the vaginal or anal area during oral sex)
• you have changed sex partners or had more than one sex partner in the last 12 months
• you or your partner share injecting equipment such as a syringes and needles
• you or your sex partner has another STI.

When you get an STI you may not have any obvious symptoms. You can feel perfectly okay and not realise you have an infection. But even if you don’t notice any signs the STI could still be making you sick.

Some STI symptoms could include:

• unusual discharge from your vagina or penis
• difficulty or pain when you urinate and have sex
• blisters, warts, lumps, bumps or sores on your genitals
• rash, cracked skin, itchy or irritated skin on or around your genital region.

If you notice any of the above symptoms, or if you had sex without a condom or a dental dam, you and your sex partner(s) should see a doctor for an STI check. Depending on your particular circumstances, this may involve a urine sample, swab and/or blood test.

The earlier you are diagnosed with an STI, the easier it is to treat which also reduces the chances of you developing further health complications.

Many STIs are successfully treated with antibiotics. Others can be managed with medication.

What if I don’t get treated?

If you have an untreated STI it can cause a range of mild to severe health complications and also create other health conditions.

For example, some STIs can damage men and women’s reproductive systems. Men could get painful swollen testes (testicles) and women could get pelvic inflammatory disease. This means they could have problems having children in the future or be left infertile (unable to have children).

If you don’t get treated the infection will keep damaging your body, and you can pass it to your sex partners.

Do I need to tell anyone?

If you have been treated for an STI, it is important to let your sex partner(s) know so they can get tested and treated too. If your sex partners are not treated, you could end up with the STI again.

If you want your doctor or clinic can tell your partner or former partners for you, without telling them your name. They can help you inform everyone that might need to know. This is known as contact tracing.

What if I am pregnant?

If you are pregnant it is very important to protect yourself and your unborn baby from STIs. Having an STI in pregnancy could make your unborn baby get very sick and even die.

You can prevent this from happening by having safe sex and by having an STI check, and getting treatment if needed, so your baby is born healthy.

You can reduce the risk of getting an STI by following this advice:

• Have regular STI checks.
• Limit your sex partners. The fewer people you have sex with, the less chance you have of having sex with someone who has a STI.
• Always use condoms or dental dams and water-based lubricant.
• Condoms are the best way to protect you both from STIs.