Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
STIs are any infections that are passed on through sexual
intercourse. They can be caused by viruses (like herpes and
genital warts or HIV) or bacterial infections (like chlamydia,
gonorrhoea, syphilis) or by little parasites (like trichomonas
vaginalis, scabies or pubic lice).
STIs can be transmitted in semen or blood. Some STIs can be
passed on by close contact. Having safer sex reduces the
chance of getting STIs or passing them on. STIs more common
than most people believe.
- It's estimated that 1 in 10 sexually active people
under the age of 25 have chlamydia.
- HIV infection has not gone away; in fact more people are being
diagnosed with it every year.
How serious are STIs?
It varies. Some (like chlamydia) are easily treated with
antibiotics. Others (like herpes) may require more long-term
treatment.
If left untreated many infections can have long-term
consequences. For example, if chlamydia is untreated it can affect
fertility in men or women.
There are now treatments but still no cure for HIV.
People's quality of life may be seriously impaired by HIV infection
itself and the treatment side effects.
Am I at risk?
Everyone who has sex is at risk of getting STIs. If you have any
type of unprotected sex (including oral sex) you are at risk -
whether you are lesbian, gay, straight or bi. Young people in
Scotland are amongst the most at risk groups when it comes to STIs.
You can't always tell if someone has an STI. Most people have
no signs or symptoms of infection.
You are most at risk of STIs including HIV if you have
unprotected penetrative vaginal or anal sex. There is also risks if
you kiss, lick or suck your partner's vagina, penis or anus. You
can read more about protecting yourself with condoms
or dams.
Think you might have an STI?
Some people with an STI have no symptoms so if you have had
unprotected sex you should think about having a check up.
Find out sandyford clinic times at Where to Find Us.
Signs of an infection might include a burning sensation when you
pee, a discharge from your penis or vagina, or maybe some pain or
bleeding during or after sex. If you have these symptoms you might
have an infection so check it out, even if you don't think you've
had unprotected sex.
The sooner you know you have an STI the sooner you can treat it,
reduce any long-term consequences and ensure you don't pass it on
to someone else.
If you find out that you have a sexually transmitted infection
it is your responsibility to make sure you don't pass it on to
anyone else.
If you want some advice contact The Place which is part of
Sandyford. It's a young people friendly sexual health service.
Phone: 0141 211 8130 for more information click on
to Brook or our section on
Sexually Transmitted Infections.
HIV
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus. It is found in
body fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluid and breast milk.
You can only get HIV from someone who already has the virus and
only if any of these body fluids get into your bloodstream.
HIV is passed on in the following ways:
- Unprotected sex: Having sex with someone who
is HIV positive without using a condom is the most common way to
get the virus. HIV can be passed on through sex whether you are
straight or gay.
- Mother to child: If a woman has HIV the virus
can be passed to her baby when she is pregnant, either when the
baby is in her womb or from breast feeding. In Scotland all women
are offered an HIV test when they are pregnant and advances in
medicine mean that it is now very rare for a baby to get HIV this
way.
- Sharing injecting equipment: HIV can be passed
on through sharing any drug injecting equipment (such as syringes,
needles, water and filters) with someone who has the virus. Small
drops of blood are likely to be left in or on the equipment, so
people who inject drugs should not share with anyone else and they
should always use a clean set of equipment.
You cannot catch HIV through everyday contact
like playing sport, sharing cutlery or kissing, hugging or
touching, or using the same toilet or bathroom.
How does HIV affect you?
HIV causes your immune system to stop working properly over time
so that you are unable to fight off everyday infections. There is
no cure for HIV and there is not likely to be a cure in the near
future. Some treatments are available which can stop or slow down
the damage to your immune system, but HIV is a difficult condition
to live with. People living with HIV have to take strong medicine
for the rest of their lives which can have unpleasant side
effects.
Numbers are increasing
The number of people with HIV in Scotland has increased in the
last 5 years. If you are having sex it is your responsibility to
look after your health by using a condom.
If you find out that you have HIV or any other sexually
transmitted infection it is your responsibility to make sure you
don't pass it on to anyone else. It is a criminal offence to
knowingly infect another person.
Testing
The only way to know if you have HIV is to go for an HIV test.
Free and confidential HIV tests are available at all Sandyford
services including The Place and at your
GP.
For further information on HIV check out Brook or our section on
HIV.