Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

What STIs are

Sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, are infections passed from one person to another through sexual contact.

How they are passed on

STIs are passed through vaginal, anal, and oral sex, and for some, through contact with fluids or the skin around the genitals.

Common and preventable

STIs are common and can happen to anyone. The good news is that most are preventable, detectable, and treatable or manageable. This page walks through every part of STIs.

Understanding to look after yourself

Understanding STIs correctly helps you look after your sexual health better and reduces worry that comes from misunderstanding, and knowledge is an important tool for protecting yourself.

Common STIs

There are several common STIs, caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites.

Common STIs

• syphilis (syphilis), caused by bacteria
• gonorrhoea (gonorrhea), caused by bacteria
• genital herpes (herpes), caused by a virus
• HPV (HPV), caused by a virus
• hepatitis B (hepatitis B), caused by a virus
• hepatitis C (hepatitis C), caused by a virus

And HIV

HIV is also an important STI, covered in detail elsewhere on this site. Understanding each STI helps you care for and prevent them correctly.

How STIs spread

Understanding how STIs spread helps you prevent them better.

Routes of transmission

• sexual contact — vaginal, anal, and oral sex
• skin contact around the genitals for some, such as herpes and HPV
• from mother to child for some, during pregnancy or birth

Not spread by everyday activities

Most STIs are not passed on through everyday contact, such as shaking hands, hugging, sharing a toilet, or eating together. Understanding this helps reduce unnecessary fear.

Risk differs by activity

Different sexual activities carry different STI risks, and using protection such as condoms for every route — vaginal, anal, and oral — helps lower the risk.

Symptoms of STIs

An important thing many people do not know is that many STIs show no symptoms.

Many have no symptoms

Many STIs may have no symptoms at all or only mild ones, so a person may not know they have one and may pass it on unknowingly. This is why testing matters so much.

Symptoms that may appear

If symptoms do appear, they can include unusual discharge or pus, a burning feeling when urinating, sores or bumps around the genitals, itching, or pain. If you have these, see a doctor for a test.

Do not wait for symptoms

Because many STIs have no symptoms, waiting until symptoms appear can mean finding them late, so testing at suitable intervals even without symptoms is good self-care.

Curable and manageable STIs

STIs fall into those that can be fully cured and those that can be managed but not yet cured.

Curable STIs

STIs caused by bacteria or parasites, such as syphilis, gonorrhoea, and chlamydia, are generally curable with antibiotics when diagnosed and treated correctly.

Manageable STIs

STIs caused by viruses, such as herpes, HPV, viral hepatitis, and HIV, do not yet have a cure, but can be managed and controlled well with the right care, and some can be prevented with a vaccine.

Treating early is better

Whatever the STI, finding and caring for it early helps prevent long-term complications, such as fertility problems, and lowers the chance of passing it to others.

A comparison of common STIs

STI testing

Because many STIs have no symptoms, testing is the only way to know your status for sure.

Testing is easier than you think

STI testing is often simple, through a blood test, urine test, or a sample from the relevant area, depending on the infection.

Test regularly

Regular STI testing is an important part of sexual-health care, especially for those with new partners or a risk. Read the detail on testing at STI testing.

Vaccines that prevent STIs

Some STIs can be prevented with a vaccine, which is an effective prevention tool.

Available vaccines

• the HPV vaccine helps prevent HPV infection that can lead to cervical cancer and genital warts. Read more at HPV
• the hepatitis B vaccine helps prevent hepatitis B infection. Read more at hepatitis B

Prevention before exposure

These vaccines work best when given before exposure, and talking to a doctor about the vaccines that suit you is a good investment in your long-term health.

STIs and HIV

STIs and HIV are connected in ways worth understanding.

STIs can increase HIV risk

Having some STIs, especially those that cause sores or inflammation, can increase the chance of getting or passing on HIV, so managing STIs is part of HIV prevention too.

Test and prevent together

Testing for STIs and HIV together is a good approach, and using protection such as condoms lowers the risk of both. People at risk of HIV may also consider PrEP.

Whole sexual-health care

Whole sexual-health care means looking after both STIs and HIV together, and many clinics offer testing for both in one place, making it convenient to look after yourself.

Preventing STIs

Preventing STIs can be done in several ways that work together.

Effective prevention

• use condoms correctly and consistently. Read more at condoms
• get vaccinated against those that can be, such as HPV and hepatitis B
• test regularly, both yourself and your partner
• talk with your partner openly about sexual health

Combination prevention

Using several methods together gives the most complete protection, and looking after your sexual health is a normal thing everyone can do.

Build caring habits

Making prevention and testing a regular habit, just like other parts of health care, helps keep your sexual health good over time and is nothing to feel ashamed about.

When to test or see a doctor

Knowing when to test or see a doctor helps you look after your health in time.

Test when

• you have a new or several partners
• you have had sex without protection
• a partner has been diagnosed with an STI
• you have symptoms that concern you

See a doctor if you have symptoms

If you have unusual symptoms, such as sores, unusual discharge, or a burning feeling, see a doctor for testing and treatment. Early care helps prevent complications and transmission.

Caring for partners

Caring for STIs is not only about ourselves but also about our partners.

Tell a partner so you can care together

If you are diagnosed with an STI, telling your partner helps them get tested and treated too, prevents passing the infection back and forth, and looks after both of your health.

Nothing to be ashamed of

Having an STI is something that can happen and is nothing to be ashamed of, and talking openly and caring together is part of a healthy relationship.

In summary

Sexually transmitted infections are common and can happen to anyone. Some are caused by bacteria and are curable, and some are caused by viruses and are manageable. Many STIs have no symptoms, so testing is the only way to know your status for sure.

Prevention is possible through using condoms, getting vaccinated, testing regularly, and communicating with your partner. Managing STIs is also connected to HIV prevention and to good sexual health overall.

If you want to test for STIs or HIV, or talk about sexual health, find and book a clinic at Love2Test.