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Do you know that sexually transmitted infections (STIs’) are really common but they can cause alot of worry, discomfort and sometimes ill health?
STIs’ can be passed from one person to another through sexual intercourse, close sexual contact or genital contact with an infected partner. Someone does not have to sleep around to get an STI. A person can be infected by having sex once with someone else who is infected.
It is really important that they are treated and the sooner the better!
Here are a few of the most common STIs’.
Chlamydia
Genital Warts
Genital warts are caused by some strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV) and are the most common viral STI. They can take from a few weeks to a few months to appear after becoming infected by the virus and sometimes they are not visible as they may be inside the vagina or anus.
The warts can be treated by applying special ointments by freezing them, or by surgical removal under local anaesthetic.
It is important that they are treated otherwise they can spread, becoming painful and unsightly.
Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is an infection of the genitals that is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).It is highly contagious and it can be easily passed from person to person. HSV can also affect the skin on the face, causing cold sores to develop usually around the mouth. Genital herpes is usually passed on by having sex with an infected person. When genital herpes does cause symptoms they appear as painful blisters on the genitals and surrounding areas. Symptoms can be treated using anti-viral medicines but there is no actual cure for genital herpes.
Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial STI, which is similar to Chlamydia. Symptoms for men and women are usually different. Most women do not have any symptoms. The main symptom for men is discharge from the penis.
Gonorrhoea can be treated with antibiotics.
Syphilis
Syphilis is also a bacterial STI. Symptoms usually start with a painless sore, which is often by the penis or vagina but can be by the mouth or anus. The sore can then disappear but a rash and flu like symptoms can follow. If left untreated syphilis can cause serious health problems! So the earlier the treatment the better, which is again antibiotics.
HIV & AIDS
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