- Around 1 in 5 men pick up an STI every year and the number is increasing each year but most can be cured.
- In gay men the rates of syphilis and gonorrhoea are increasing each year especially in larger gay cities such as Bristol, London, and Birmingham etc after many years of decline.
- Because there are many STI’s that don’t cause any symptoms it is vital you have regular sexual health screens so you can protect not only yourself but also anyone you have sex with.
- You can have a full screen at your local sexual health clinic (GUM clinic). Remember that if you use a clinic everything will be totally confidential and not even your GP will know you have been unless you tell him/her.
- At the clinic you will be offered screening for all STI’s including HIV but it is up to you if you have them done.
- Always finish any course of treatment you get. Never stop just because the symptoms have gone as unless fully treated it may come back.
- Don’t have sex again until given the all clear
- Remember it is important to tell current and previous partners they may have got an infection. The clinic will tell you how far back you need to go.
- Don’t think your partner has had sex with someone else if they suddenly develop symptoms of an STI as the infection may have been contracted months or even years before they met you but it is only now they are showing signs for the first time.
- Get a vaccine against hepatitis A and B so you are protected from these common infections and then that’s 2 less STI’s to worry about.
- Always use a condom for anal sex.
- Never panic if you think you may have an infection as almost all of them can be treated and cured so just go to your GUM clinic or sexual health clinic and get treatment.
Written by an eefo.net user
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