STIs

There are many different types of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They are mostly passed from person to person through bodily fluids like; semen, vaginal fluids, blood or just by skin-to-skin contact in the genital area. Most STIs can be treated, but not all can be cured. If you have had unprotected sex, there is a risk that you could have an STI, and if so you could pass this STI on to someone else. The best way to prevent any STI is to practise safer sex. This means giving and getting pleasure in ways that don’t put you or your partner at risk of STIs. Always use a condom for vaginal, anal or oral sex; or enjoy sex without penetration – like kissing, hugging, massaging, and masturbating.

If you would like to make an appointment at any one of our clinics, please see our online booking page or call 0300 303 0251. A list of all clinic times and venues is on the Services page of this website.

Chlamydia video.

Chlamydia is the most common STI in the UK and is easily passed on during vaginal, anal and even oral sex. Chlamydia affects both men and women but as most people don’t experience any symptoms, they often don’t know they have the infection.

In women, chlamydia can cause pain or a burning sensation when urinating, a vaginal discharge, pain in the lower abdomen during or after sex, and bleeding during or after sex or between periods. It can also cause heavy periods.

In men, chlamydia can cause pain or a burning sensation when urinating, a white, cloudy or watery discharge from the tip of the penis, and pain or tenderness in the testicles.

As well as the genitals it is also possible to have a chlamydia infection in your rectum (bottom), throat or eyes. There is no evidence to show that chlamydia can be passed on from toilet seats, sharing towels or cups. An infected mother can pass it on to her baby’s eyes and lungs at birth. It can also be spread from the genitals to the eyes with your or your partner’s fingers. Using a condom will greatly reduce your chances of becoming infected with chlamydia.

Chlamydia can be diagnosed with a urine test for men and a self-taken swab of the affected area for women. As it is a bacterial infection, it is easily treated with a course of antibiotics, however, treatment does not offer future immunity so after treatment it is possible to get chlamydia again if you continue to have unprotected sex. If you do have chlamydia, it is important that you:

• remember that your partner will also need to be tested and will require treatment too, otherwise, your partner can infect you again
• avoid having sex until you and your partner complete treatment
• before taking the treatment for chlamydia, it is a good idea to tell the doctor or nurse if you are taking any form of contraception or if you are pregnant

If chlamydia is left untreated, it will not go away on its own and can lead to serious long-term health problems, including possible infertility. If you would like to make an appointment at any one of our clinics, please call 0300 303 0251 (Line open Mon – Thurs: 8am–4:45pm and Fri: 8am–3:45pm).

A list of all clinic times and venues is on the Services page of this website.

Genital herpes video.

Herpes is caused by a virus called Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). There are two types of the herpes virus, which tend to affect different areas of the body. Type one causes cold sores around the mouth. It is very common, and most people catch it when they are children, often through kissing. It is also an increasing cause of genital herpes. Type two causes genital herpes and although this can then cause oral cold sores, this is less common.

Once the herpes virus gets into your body, as well as causing an initial reaction, it remains in your body permanently but not causing any harm. It may lie dormant like this for the rest of your life. Sometimes, however, it travels back to the surface of your skin and causes another bout of symptoms. The first time someone is infected with the herpes virus produces the most severe reaction. After an incubation time of up to 10 days, symptoms may begin with a tingling feeling or itching in the genital area. This may turn into several blisters and then to quite painful sores or ulcers. Passing urine might also be very uncomfortable. These ulcers may scab over and then heal after a week or two. Also, some people have swollen lymph glands and flu-like symptoms. Many people with herpes, however, may have no symptoms at all and don’t know they are infected.

You can only be tested for the herpes virus when there is a visible “sore” present as a special swab needs to be taken at that time. Although there’s no cure for genital herpes, the symptoms can usually be controlled using antiviral medicines. However, it’s important to prevent the spread of genital herpes by avoiding sex until symptoms have cleared up and continuing to use a condom afterwards.

If you have any concerns about genital herpes or any other STIs, you should make an appointment at a local clinic to confirm and speak to any partners about it.

If you would like to make an appointment at any one of our clinics, please call 0300 303 0251 (line open: Mon – Thurs: 8am–4:45pm and Fri: 8am–3:45pm). A list of all clinic times and venues is on the Services page of this website.

Know more about genital herpes.

Genital warts video.

Genital warts are small fleshy growths, bumps or skin changes that appear on or around your genital or anal area. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus can be passed by skin-to-skin contact (usually sex) with a partner who has the genital wart virus. A person does not need to have visible genital warts to pass the virus on to someone else. The virus can lie dormant for a long time so it is difficult to know when you may have acquired the virus. A doctor or nurse will usually be able to diagnose warts just by looking at them.

Genital warts cannot be treated with antibiotics, however, there are other treatments that can help to get rid of warts, usually a cream/lotion or a freezing treatment. You should not treat genital warts with the treatments you can get over the counter from the chemist as the skin around the genitals is very sensitive and you could cause irritation or burn yourself.

Warts usually start to go after a few treatments although sometimes they can take several months to go completely. It is important to remember that the treatments are for cosmetic reasons only and they do not clear your body of the genital wart virus. Eventually, your own immune system will clear the virus.

If you think you have genital warts, you should make an appointment at a local clinic to confirm and speak to any partners about it. There is no actual test for genital wart virus so it is just a case of being examined by a health professional. If you would like to make an appointment at any one of our clinics, please call 0300 303 0251 (line open Mon – Thurs: 8am–4:45pm and Fri: 8am–3:45pm). A list of all clinic times and venues is on the Services page of this website.

Know more about genital warts.

Gonorrhoea video.

Gonorrhoea is an STI that affects both men and women and is caused by a bacteria (neisseria gonorrhoea) which can affect the penis, vagina and anus. It can also be caught and passed on by the throat from unprotected oral sex with an infected partner.

Around 50% of women and 10% of men will not show any signs of being infected, so it is possible that they might have gonorrhoea but have no symptoms.

Some men with gonorrhoea will feel pain when passing urine and have a green or yellow discharge coming out of the end of the penis. Some women may notice vaginal discharge, or discomfort when passing urine.

Gonorrhoea in the rectum (anal passage) often shows no signs, but it can cause constipation, pain around the anus, and blood or discharge with bowel movements. There are usually no signs of gonorrhoea in the throat.

Gonorrhoea is easily treated with antibiotics, either in tablet form or sometimes by injection. It is very important that you:

– come back and see the doctor or health adviser for a follow-up visit to check the infection is completely gone
– remember that your partner will also need to be tested and may require treatment too, otherwise, they could infect you again
– avoid having sex, including oral sex, until you and your partner get the ‘all clear’

If gonorrhoea is left untreated, it will not go away on its own and can lead to serious long-term health problems, including possible infertility. If you would like to make an appointment at any one of our clinics, please call 0300 303 0251 (line open: Mon – Thurs: 8am–4:45pm and Fri: 8am–3:45pm). A list of all clinic times and venues is on the Services page of this website.

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver, and hepatitis B, or HBV is one of several types of hepatitis. The virus can be passed from person to person in several different ways, but all hepatitis viruses can cause acute (short-term) disease, with symptoms such as yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and possibly abdominal pain. This can also lead to chronic (long-term) infection.

In the UK there is a very effective hepatitis B vaccine that many high-risk professionals and higher-risk members of the public can receive. Full protection from hepatitis B is usually achieved after 3-4 doses of the vaccine which can usually be obtained from your GP or employer occupational health.

Learn more about hepatitis B and all other blood-borne viruses.

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver, and hepatitis C, or HCV is one of several types of hepatitis. The virus can be passed from person to person in several different ways, but all hepatitis viruses can cause acute (short-term) disease, with symptoms such as yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and possibly abdominal pain. This can also lead to chronic (long-term) infection.

There is no vaccine for hepatitis C, but treatments have greatly improved, meaning that 95% of all people infected with hepatitis C can be cured in as little as 8-12 weeks on the current treatment available.

Learn more about hepatitis C and all other blood-borne viruses.

HIV video.

HIV is a long term health condition which stands for human immunodeficiency virus. The virus targets the immune system and if untreated, weakens your ability to fight infections and disease. People can become infected with HIV through unprotected vaginal, anal and oral sex – with unprotected anal intercourse being the highest risk. Sharing drugs and drug paraphernalia are also high-risk activities.

There is no cure or vaccine for HIV, but there have been great advances in treatments over the last decade which means living with HIV is now just like living with a long-term health condition and someone living with HIV who is on effective treatment can live a near normal life span in good health.

The best way to avoid HIV through sexual transmission is to always use a condom and if you are eligible, taking Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). You can reduce the risk of HIV by taking PrEP, which is taken before sex. PrEP is a medicine that stops you getting HIV. For information on PrEP please visit: What is HIV PrEP | NHS inform.  To find out how to access PrEP in Lanarkshire, phone 0300 303 0251 for details (line open: Mon – Thurs: 8am–4:45pm and Fri: 8am–3:45pm.

For more information on the prevention, testing and treatment of HIV, please visit the Lanarkshire HIV&Hepatitis website.

Pubic lice video.

Pubic lice, commonly known as crabs, are easily passed from person to person by close body contact (or even sharing a bed – as they can survive off the body for 24 to 48 hours). The legs of the lice grip hairs like pincers and they are mainly found on the pubic hair, body hair and, rarely, eyebrows and eyelashes, but they are not found on the hair of the head. The lice crawl from hair to hair, but they don’t jump or fly from person to person.

There may be no symptoms or you may feel itchy in the areas that the lice are and you may be able to see the lice and their eggs. You may also find spots of blood in your underwear.

You can treat yourself with a lotion or shampoo over the counter from most pharmacies. You do not have to be seen by your GP, but it is still advisable to visit a sexual health clinic to be tested and potentially treated for other STIs.

Bed linen and recently used clothing should be put through a hot wash of 50 degrees or more. Treatment is successful for most people. You may experience itching afterwards but this does not necessarily mean that the lice have come back. If current sexual partners are not treated it is likely the pubic lice will come back again during close body contact.

If you have any concerns about pubic lice or any other STIs, you should make an appointment at a local clinic to confirm and speak to any partners about it. If you would like to make an appointment at any one of our clinics, please call 0300 303 0251 (line open: Mon – Thurs: 8am–4:45pm and Fri: 8am–3:45pm). A list of all clinic times and venues is on the Services page of this website.

Syphilis video.

Syphilis is caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum and it affects both men and women. Syphilis affects the body in stages, but often you may have no symptoms at all.

• The primary stage (10 days – 6 weeks) is usually a small, red ulcer/sore which heals itself after 3-6 weeks. This is called a chancre (pronounced ‘shanker’). There may be one or multiple and they may be painful or painless. You might also notice swollen glands in the area near the sores. If syphilis is not treated it will progress to the second stage.
• The secondary stage (1 week – 6 months after the first stage) may show a rash on the skin, particularly on the palms of the hands, and soles of the feet, and often on the trunk (chest, stomach and back). There may also be swollen glands, headaches, aches and pains, hair loss, deafness or eye problems.
• The latent stage often has no signs or symptoms, but the syphilis is still in the body and will show up only in a blood test for syphilis.

If left untreated at any stage, damage can be done to the brain, nervous system, bones, eyes and other organs, and this may not be apparent for years. Syphilis can be easily spread through vaginal, anal and oral sex. Even if you have had the infection before, you can catch it again. Syphilis may also be passed on through deep kissing if the infected partner has an ulcer (chancre) in their mouth.

Syphilis can be passed on from a pregnant mother to her baby at any stage of the pregnancy. If syphilis is found during pregnancy it can be treated to prevent the infection from being transmitted to the baby. Pregnant women are routinely offered syphilis testing along with tests for HIV, Hepatitis B and Rubella.

The best way to stay free from syphilis, and other sexually transmitted infections, is to practice safer sex. HIV is a sexually transmitted infection and having syphilis makes it easier for HIV to be transmitted. Using a condom or dental dam will reduce the risk of contracting any sexually transmitted infection, including syphilis. Syphilis sores are very infectious and can sometimes be on areas not covered by the condoms, or be hidden in the vagina, rectum or mouth. It is important to attend for regular sexual health checks so that infections can be picked up and treated early.

Until recently, syphilis was not very common. A large rise in the number of syphilis infections was observed in the last decade, particularly among men who have sex with other men and locally we have recently seen an increase in infections among young straight/heterosexual people in Lanarkshire.

Syphilis can be treated with antibiotics. It is important if you are treated for syphilis that you go back to the clinic to check the infection is completely gone, and to ensure any partners are also tested/checked and, if necessary, treated so you do not re-infect each other. It is advised to avoid sexual contact until you and your partner have got the all-clear. Follow-up appointments to ensure the treatment has worked are carried out by the team at the sexual health clinic, usually over a 12-month period.

If Syphilis is left untreated, the symptoms may go away by themselves, but syphilis will not go away without treatment. If left untreated, you may develop serious complications in the future and you could pass it on to any partners. The syphilis test normally involves a blood test and if an ulcer/sore is present a swab will also be taken. For some people, syphilis may not show up in the blood test straight away and so it may need to be repeated. This is why it is important to have regular sexual health checks.

If you have any concerns about syphilis or any other STIs, you should make an appointment at a local clinic to confirm and speak to any partners about it. If you would like to make an appointment at any one of our clinics, please call 0300 303 0251 (line open: Mon – Thurs: 8am–4:45pm and Fri: 8am–3:45pm). A list of all clinic times and venues is on the Services page of this website. Testing can also be performed by your GP.