Chlamydia
Chlamydia is one of the most common STI’s. Many women have no symptoms, if they do they include vaginal discharge, they may experience pain during sex, pain whilst going to the toilet, pain in the lower abdomen or bleeding between periods.
If left untreated Chlamydia can cause infertility.
Syphilis
Syphilis sores (which are not painful) appear in the genital area within 3 months of having unprotected sex with an infected person. Syphilis can be cured with penicillin at any stage, but the damage of late syphilis can not be reversed.
Gonorrhoea
Nicknamed "the clap" affects both men and women. Women have no or very mild symptoms. Men will experience a burning sensation when peeing and they may also have a yellow discharge form the opening of the penis, but they may also have no symptoms.
Antibiotics can easily cure gonorrhoea if caught in the early stages.
HIV
HIV is a virus that is treatable, but not CURABLE.
It spreads through your body in your bodily fluids, i.e. blood, semen and vaginal secretions.
Most people who become infected with HIV have had unprotected sex or shared a needle with someone who is infected with HIV.
Useful websites for more information about Sexually Transmitted Infections:
www.avert.org (HIV information)
www.nhs.uk
www.brook.org.uk
www.teenagehealthfreak.com
Written by a www.eefo.net user.
For further information about your sexual health please visit the Sex Worth Talking About website.
Contraception
STI's
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