Over one million
sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are acquired daily globally. The majority are asymptomatic, meaning that individuals are
unlikely to know they have one.
For men, possible symptoms can include a burning sensation when urinating, a discharge from the tip of the penis, and pain or tenderness in the testicles.
Diagnosing chlamydia is done with a urine test or by taking a swab of the affected area.It is possible in some cases to have chlamydia in your bottom, throat or eyes.
Dr Crystal Wyllie said: “To protect yourself against STIs, always use protection such as condoms or dental dams when you’re with a partner even if they’ve assured you that they don’t have an STI.
“Some STIs such as herpes can be passed on even when condoms are used, but when condoms are worn the risk of this is significantly less.
“If you’ve had unprotected sex and think you may have caught something it’s important to get tested as soon as possible.
“But remember, some STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhoea can take between two to three weeks to show up on a test. Others like HIV and syphilis can take anywhere between six weeks to three months.
“If the test comes back negative you should check if you need to repeat it.
“We know that sometimes it can be difficult to get an appointment to see a healthcare practitioner face to face. If you think you could have caught an STI, or are noticing symptoms, then you can check by using a home STI kit.”
Herpes is a common infection which is the same virus that causes cold sores. Typically, small, painful blisters or sores usually develop, which may cause itching or tingling, or make it painful to urinate.
Crucially, after you've been infected, the virus remains dormant (inactive) most of the time. However, certain triggers can reactivate the virus, causing the blisters to develop again, although they're usually smaller and less painful.
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial STI and another that is easily passed on during sex. About 50 percent of women and 10 percent of men don't experience any symptoms and are unaware they're infected.
Similarly to chlamydia, gonorrhoea is diagnosed using a urine test or by taking a swab of the infected area. Both are easily treated with antibiotics. If left untreated STIs such as this could cause long-term damage such as infertility.
Dr Wyllie also spoke about the dangers of spreading Covid-19 through sex. She continued to say: “Conditions like coronavirus are spread through water or mucus droplets from the nose and mouth containing the virus. So things like kissing, shaking hands and sharing food and drink with someone put people at increased risk of passing on the infection.
“We don’t yet know precisely how infections are spread from person to person. However, we do know that similar conditions are spread through coughing and sneezing, and the droplets produced. Experts suspect the same is true of Covid-19, but more research is being carried out.
“The official guidance issued by the NHS and other health bodies tells us to avoid contact with those who have been infected. Epidemiologists are encouraging people to limit or avoid physical displays of affection while the ways that coronavirus is spread are identified, so having sex with someone who has coronavirus - or who is under quarantine during the virus’s incubation phase - is certainly not advised.
“While there isn’t any evidence that vaginal secretions can pass on coronavirus, there is some evidence that the virus can be present in the semen of patients with Covid-19, and may still be detected in the semen of recovering patients. So if sex is a must, it’s always a good idea to practise safe sex and use a condom, to help protect from sexually transmitted infections as well as accidental pregnancy.”
The NHS advises that if you are worried that you think you’ve got an STI, it is always best to go for a check-up at a sexual health clinic as soon as you can. You will often get test results quicker than from the GP and you may not have to pay a prescription fee for treatment.
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