Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are exactly that – infections that are passed on from person to person via sexual activity. This can be vaginal, oral or anal sex.

If you’re sexually active or thinking of having sex, avoid catching an STI by always using a condom. It’s the only way!

Some of the most common STIs are listed below. Click on the name to find out more about them, their symptoms (if any) and how you can treat them.

• Bacterial Vaginosis

  Sexually Transmitted Infections/infections of the reproductive system	Women only. Sometimes called BV or gardnerella.
  How is it transmitted?	Not sexually transmitted. Caused by changes in the balance of bacteria in the vagina such as from new sex partners or increased sexual activity, but can also occur in women who are not sexually active.
  Symptoms (Symptoms may vary from person to person)	Unpleasant odour (worse after sex or after periods) and/or greyish/yellow/green discharge. Can have no symptoms.
  Treatment	Antibiotic tablets or vaginal creams.

• Balanitis

  Sexually Transmitted Infections/infections of the reproductive system	Men only. Infammation of the head of the penis (caused from an overgrowth of organisms which are normally present on the skin of the head of the penis).
  How is it transmitted?	Not always sexually transmitted. Usually occurs in uncircumcised men (as the environment under the foreskin is warm and moist which favours the growth of organisms). More likely to occur if you have not washed for a couple of days.
  Symptoms (Symptoms may vary from person to person)	Spots, rash, itching, discharge, pain during sex, diffculty urinating, swelling and/or infammation of foreskin.
  Treatment	Anti-fungal cream; saline baths; washing with soap and warm water; good skin care.

• Chlamydia

  Sexually Transmitted Infections/infections of the reproductive system	Caused by a bacteria which can affect the penis, cervix, urethra, fallopian tubes, anus, rectum and less commonly the throat and eyes.
  How is it transmitted?	Sexually transmitted or transmitted via fngers from genitals to the eyes. Symptoms appear 2-3 weeks after contact but might not show for years.
  Symptoms (Symptoms may vary from person to person)	In many cases it has no symptoms. Women: Unusual vaginal discharge, pain during sex and urinating, bleeding after sex, abdominal pain. Men: Discharge from tip of penis, pain when urinating and/or pain/swelling of testicles if left untreated.
  Treatment	Antibiotics. If left untreated in women it may lead to pelvic infammatory disease (PID), potentially causing chronic pain and an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy or even infertility.

• Cystitis

  A bacterial infection causing infammation of the bladder lining. It can spread to the kidneys and cause damage to the kidney function. Most common in women.
  How is it transmitted?	Not sexually transmitted but can occur after sex. Caused from bacteria getting from the anus into the urethra and bladder or by not emptying the bladder properly.
  Symptoms (Symptoms may vary from person to person)	Burning/pain when urinating, urinating more frequently, blood in urine, lower back or abdominal pain and/or fever.
  Treatment	Drink plenty of water: use cystitis powder (i.e. Ural®); antibiotics.

• Genital Warts

  Sexually Transmitted Infections/infections of the reproductive system	Caused by the Human Papiloma Virus (HPV).
  How is it transmitted?	Transmitted via close skin contact usually during unprotected sex. Sometimes there is no identifed source of transmission of the virus. Symptoms can recur.
  Symptoms (Symptoms may vary from person to person)	Visible warts/caulifower-like clusters (can be single or multiple) in genital area (vagina/penis) and/or anus. May be itchy.
  Treatment	Small warts can be removed with nitrogen (freezing), diathermy (heat) or a chemical paint. Usually a few treatments are needed as there is a risk of warts coming back.

• Gonorrhoea

  Sexually Transmitted Infections/infections of the reproductive system	A bacterial infection of the genitals, throat or rectum.
  How is it transmitted?	Sexually transmitted. If left untreated may lead to pelvic infammatory disease (PID) in women or even infertility in both men and women. Symptoms appear 3-5 days after contact with infection.
  Symptoms (Symptoms may vary from person to person)	Women: Yellow or green vaginal discharge, pain during sex, abdominal pain, burning when urinating. 50% of women have no symptoms. Men: Yellow discharge from penis, irritation/discharge from anus, pain in the testicles or when urinating. Most men have symptoms.
  Treatment	Antibiotics.

• Hepatitis A

  Sexually Transmitted Infections/infections of the reproductive system	A viral infection that affects the liver.
  How is it transmitted?	Can be sexually transmitted but more commonly through contaminated food or water, not washing hands after the toilet or before touching food.
  Symptoms (Symptoms may vary from person to person)	Dark urine, mild fu like symptoms, vomiting, abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin and whites of eyes. Often no symptoms.
  Treatment	No known cure – long term medical supervision required. Bed rest and adequate fuids. Alcohol and some other drugs should be avoided. Can be immunised for prevention.

• Hepatitis B

  Sexually Transmitted Infections/infections of the reproductive system	A viral infection that affects the liver.
  How is it transmitted?	Sexually transmitted. Symptoms appear 4 weeks to 6 months after transmission. Very common in Africa, Asia, South America.
  Symptoms (Symptoms may vary from person to person)	Flu-like symptoms, fever, dark urine, pale bowel movements, loss of appetite, night sweats, whites of eyes and skin may go yellow indicating jaundice. Can have no symptoms.
  Treatment	Drug treatment may be effective for some carriers. Long term medical supervision is required for people with chronic Hepatitis B. Alcohol and some other drugs should be avoided. Can be immunised for prevention.

• Hepatitis C

  Sexually Transmitted Infections/infections of the reproductive system	A viral infection that affects the liver.
  How is it transmitted?	Transmitted via infected blood (sharing needles, syringes, etc) and rarely through sexualcontact.
  Symptoms (Symptoms may vary from person to person)	Mild fu-like symptoms, tiredness, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine, yellowing of the skin and whites of eyes. Often no symptoms.
  Treatment	No known cure – long term medical supervision required. Rest, exercise and a well balanced diet avoiding alcohol and drugs. There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C. Some antiviral treatments are now available.

• Herpes

  Sexually Transmitted Infections/infections of the reproductive system	Caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of HSV: Type 1 is usually found around the lips and is commonly known as a cold sore. Type 2 is usually found around the genital or anal areas.
  How is it transmitted?	Transmitted via close skin contact including unprotected sex. Sometimes contracted even when people have no symptoms of the virus. Can be transmitted from mouth to genitals during oral sex. Symptoms appear 3-10 days after contact.
  Symptoms (Symptoms may vary from person to person)	Blisters on the genitals which usually burst leaving sore ulcers, painful urinating, swelling of glands, soreness/irritation. The frst attack may be the worst. Recurrent episodes are usually less severe and of shorter duration.
  Treatment	Medication cream for mild cases i.e. cold sores. Antiviral tablets, saline baths for pain relief. No known cure so can recur. Sexual contact should be avoided from the frst indication of an infection until the skin has returned to normal.

• HIV

  Sexually Transmitted Infections/infections of the reproductive system	HIV (human immunodefciency virus) is a virus which damages the immune system and can lead to serious infections. AIDS (acquired immune defciency syndrome) is a late form of infection with HIV.
  How is it transmitted?	Sexually transmitted and can also be transmitted via blood i.e. transfusions, needles.
  Symptoms (Symptoms may vary from person to person)	Most people develop a glandular fever like illness (fever, sweats diarrhoea, rash, mouth ulcers) between one and six weeks after becoming infected with HIV. This may last a few days to a few weeks. Many have no symptoms for several years.
  Treatment	There is still no known cure. The most effective form of treatment is a combination of antiviral therapy, which attacks HIV directly.

• Non-Specific Urethritis

  Sexually Transmitted Infections/infections of the reproductive system	Men only. An infection that causes an inflammation of the male urethra contracted by a bacteria or virus.
  How is it transmitted?	Usually sexually transmitted. Symptoms appear 2 weeks after contact.
  Symptoms (Symptoms may vary from person to person)	Milky pus-like discharge from the penis, burning when urinating, painful ejaculations, itching, tingling, irritation inside the penis, pelvic pain and/or sore testicles. Some men have no symptoms.
  Treatment	Antibiotics.

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

  Sexually Transmitted Infections/infections of the reproductive system	Women only. Caused by the spread of infection into the upper part of a woman’s reproductive system (the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes).
  How is it transmitted?	Can be a result of earlier STI (such as Chlamydia or Gonorrhoea) but not everyone who has had these STIs will get PID. Occasionally develops after termination of pregnancy or other surgical procedures.
  Symptoms (Symptoms may vary from person to person)	Symptoms are not always obvious. Low abdominal pain, pain during sex, smelly vaginal discharge, irregular bleeding and/or high fever.
  Treatment	Antibiotics

• Pubic Lice/Crabs

  Sexually Transmitted Infections/infections of the reproductive system	Tiny parasitic insects found in the genital areas as well as in other parts of the body. They live in pubic and body hair.
  How is it transmitted?	Close body contact usually during sex. Can alsobe transmitted via sharing bedding or clothing with an infected person. Symptoms and signs can usually be expected after several weeks.
  Symptoms (Symptoms may vary from person to person)	Infammation, irritation and/or intense itchiness in and around the pubic area.
  Treatment	Special lotions/shampoos applied to affected area. Clothing and bedding should be washed.

• Scabies

  Sexually Transmitted Infections/infections of the reproductive system	Small mites that burrow into the skin.
  How is it transmitted?	Not always sexually transmitted. Skin to skin contact. Can also be transmitted via sharing bedding or clothing with an infected person. Symptoms will appear around 4 weeks after infestation.
  Symptoms (Symptoms may vary from person to person)	Itchiness, especially at night on any part of body (except head and central back). A rash.
  Treatment	Special lotions applied to whole body and cream to relieve itching. Clothing and bedding should be washed.

• Syphilis

  Sexually Transmitted Infections/infections of the reproductive system	Caused by a bacterial infection. If left untreated can result in very serious complications(including damage to the heart, brain and spinal cord).
  How is it transmitted?	Sexually transmitted.
  Symptoms (Symptoms may vary from person to person)	Single, painless clear ulcer usually on the genitals, enlargement of glands in groin, rash on body, fu-like illness, hair loss. There may be no symptoms.
  Treatment	Antibiotic injections.

• Thrush/Candida

  Sexually Transmitted Infections/infections of the reproductive system	Caused by an overgrowth of candida yeast that irritates the mucous membrane of the genitals or throat.
  How is it transmitted?	Not sexually transmitted. The overgrowth can happen as a result of antibiotics, when your immunity is low, as a result of diabetes, during pregnancy, following sex and/or a change in weather/diet.
  Symptoms (Symptoms may vary from person to person)	Women: Vulva and vaginal itchiness, soreness and stinging, superfcial pain when urinating, a thick whitish/ yellow discharge, redness and swelling and/or pain during sex. Men: (rare) irritation of the glans and discharge from penis.
  Treatment	Anti-fungal treatment such as creams, pessaries (inserted into thevagina) and/or saline baths. Oral antifungal tablets (such as Difucan®)may be given if cases are severe

• Trichomoniasis

  Sexually Transmitted Infections/infections of the reproductive system	A protozoal infection often referred to as “trike”.
  How is it transmitted?	Sexually transmitted Symptoms appear 1-4 weeks after contact.
  Symptoms (Symptoms may vary from person to person)	Women: Yellow, frothy, smelly discharge, itchiness and soreness of vagina/vulva, pain during sex, burning when urinating. Men: Usually no symptoms – occasional pain when urinating, discharge from penis.
  Treatment	Antibiotics.