Want More? Follow UUSU On
► Sexual Health and STI's
Whether or not you are sexually active at the moment, it is important to know about sexual health. Unless you happen to be in a long-term monogamous relationship you are at risk of picking up sexually transmitted infections. If you are sleeping with a person whose sexual or even possible drug use in the past you are unsure of, then always use a condom. If properly used it will help to protect against HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted infections, cervical cancer and unwanted pregnancy.
1). N.S.U. Non-Specific Urethritis: affects men in particular. Symptoms appear ten to thirty days after infection, a disease that comes after having chlamydia. Pain is experienced when urinating and a slight white cloudy discharge along with a burning sensation appears in the penis. Sometimes though, the symptoms are missed easily and the consequences can be quite severe, leading to serious problems with the prostate gland (which produces semen) and even the testicles, causing painful swelling. Don't despair though! N.S.U. can be treated with a course of antibiotics.
2). Genital warts: occur in both men and women. The virus is passed on by skin to skin contact so it is easily transmitted through anal and vaginal sex. The warts are usually painless but may itch. They can be either small or flat or large and lumpy, on their own or in groups. Most warts are to be found on the vulva, cervix and penis and in the anus, vagina and urethra. If warts are found at the cervix (neck of the womb) annual smear tests should be done. Genital warts can be treated through removal by a liquid, which is painted on, or through freeze treatment.
3). Chlamydia: one of the most common STI's. A bacteria which affects the genitals and sometimes the throat and eyes, it is passed on through vaginal, anal and oral sex. You can be affected and not even know it. Women often see no signs until the chlamydia has spread elsewhere, but they might notice an extra discharge and pain when passing urine. Other symptoms may include irritation around the vagina, pain in the lower abdomen and a burning sensation when passing urine. If no treatment is given to chlamydia women can get pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which can leave them sterile or can cause tubal pregnancy. Chlamydia can be treated quite easily with a course of antibiotics.
4). Genital Herpes : The herpes simplex 2 virus causes genital herpes. Herpes simplex 1 usually causes cold sores around the mouth and nose and occasionally the eyes and genitals. Two or three days after infection, small painful blisters appear on the penis, vaginal lips or anal area. These blisters burst and form sores making it difficult to pass urine. They can also be inside the vagina or rectum and on the cervix. An itching and tingling sensation in the genital area may also happen. Flu-like symptoms may occur and sometimes pain in the legs, thigh and groin. No cure is available for herpes but some drugs alleviate symptoms and reduce further attacks.
5). Pubic Lice and Scabies: Moving on up to Number 5 this year we have the delightful Scabies. It is not regarded as an infection, more an infestation. Pubic lice/scabies are most commonly transmitted through sex, though any close body contact provides an opportunity. If you have pubic lice or scabies, be careful not to share towels, bed linen or clothes as it can also be transmitted in this way. This is an easily treated affliction. Your Doctor will prescribe a lotion specifically for this or you can buy it directly from the chemist. Remember! Once you have started treatment ensure you have washed your towels, bedding and clothing or you'll not get rid of them.
6). Gonorrhoea : At number 6 we have Gonorrhoea. The symptoms of Gonorrhoea are quite different in men and women. It is much more easily detected in men than women. In men, the symptoms appear within 3 - 7 days from infection and can include a thick yellowish discharge from the penis and pain on urinating or after sex. If untreated, pain can spread to the bladder and can lead to serious problems with the prostate gland (which makes semen) and sometimes the testicles. In women it is often difficult to have visible symptoms, but there may be pain during sex or when urinating. A foul-smelling yellow/green discharge may appear in the vagina 7 - 10 days after infection. If left untreated the fallopian tubes can be damaged. Gonorrhoea is easily treated with antibiotics.
7). Trichomoniasis (TV) : caused by a parasite that is sometimes found in the vagina and urethra. Symptoms include a thin yellow/green discharge, which smells fishy, with soreness and itching around the vagina. TV is treatable with a short course of antibiotics. Avoid sex until the infection has completely gone.
8). HIV/AIDS : HIV is the virus that can lead to AIDS. Most people, but not all, will develop AIDS at some stage once infected with HIV. It is transmitted when the semen, blood or vaginal/cervical secretions of an infected person enter the blood stream of another person. This can happen in the following ways:
Having unprotected vaginal or anal sex (without a condom).
Sharing needles, syringes, spoons, filters and water used for injecting (especially dirty needles for drugs).
A mother with HIV can pass it on to their child across the placenta during actual childbirth or through breastfeeding.
Through blood transfusions or blood products that are infected, but since 1985 all blood has been screened so this is no longer a risk factor.
HIV can also be found in saliva, urine, tears and sweat, but in such minute amounts that infection from these bodily fluids is extremely unlikely. AIDS is not regarded as a disease but as a syndrome of specific illnesses and conditions that occur as a result of damage caused to a person's immune system by the HIV virus.
9). Syphilis: caused by a bacterium, which is passed on through the vaginal or anal sex. A few weeks after infection a painless sore appears, usually on the genitals. This lasts for 2 - 3 weeks. 2 - 6 months after the infection a rash may appear on the body and flu-like symptoms may occur. These symptoms disappear but the syphilis remains. If untreated syphilis can cause insanity, blindness, paralysis and eventually death. Note: This may not happen for years after first being infected. Syphilis is very uncommon in the UK and can be cured easily with antibiotics.
10). Hepatitis B : is a potentially life threatening infection caused by a virus (HBV) found in nearly all body fluids, faeces and vomit. HBV infects the liver and the symptoms vary from minor to chronic infection, lever damage, sometimes liver cancer and eventually death. Hepatitis B is spread by direct blood contact with infected body fluids, so infection is likely to occur through unprotected anal or vaginal sex, sharing needles or other injecting equipment, contact with infected body fluids, vomit or faeces and sharp instruments contaminated with blood. HBV remains infectious in dried blood for up to a week. It is 100 times more infectious than HIV. HBV can cause flu-like symptoms, muscle weakness, fatigue, appetite loss, and dark urine and stomach pains. It can also cause jaundice, where the skin and the whites of the eyes become yellow. There is no cure for Hepatitis B and no effective medical treatment for acute Hepatitis B infection. There is, however, a vaccine against Hepatitis B, which can be obtained from a G.U.M. clinic. Gay and bisexual men in particular should consider getting this vaccination.
