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STIs
When you have unprotected sex with someone – anal, vaginal or oral sex — and either you or the person you have sex with has a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI), there’s a chance of that infection being passed on.
The more common the infection, the more likely you are to come into contact with it. Some STIs, such as chlamydia, are very common in Norfolk, and others, such HIV and syphilis are still quite rare. This means that having unprotected sex can seem bit like playing the lottery; you may get lucky, or you may get chlamydia. Or, less likely but still possible, you could get one of the less common sexually transmitted infections.
If you’d rather not play the lottery but still want to have sex, and are really ready for it, a safer option is to use condoms. They’re really effective at protecting you from infections and pregnancy... but only if you use them properly.
Have you got an STI already?
But what to do if you think you might have already come into contact with an STI? And would you know anyway? Some STIs, like chlamydia, often don’t have any symptoms so that makes it a bit tricky. That’s why there’s a new screening programme in Norfolk for chlamydia. You can check really easily you haven’t got it and get treated if you have.
If you have got some symptoms they might include
- a burning feeling when urinating (peeing)
- an unusual discharge from vagina, penis or anus
- pain during sex
- sores or blisters near the vagina, penis or anus
- a rash or irritation around the vagina, penis or anus.
For a quick summary of some common STIs and their symptoms, have a look at the table of Sexual Health Choices and Consequences in the booklet Respect Yourself (clck the link to download).
If you have had unprotected sex and you've got any symptoms that make you think you might have an STI, or if you are simply worried about your sexual health, there are agencies called GUM Clinics in Norfolk (that’s Genito-Urinary Medicine if you want to get technical) which can help you. They’re free, confidential and staffed by people who are friendly, non judgemental and will treat you respectfully whatever your age (that’s under 16s too), gender, sexuality or ethnicity.
Remember that although not all STIs can be cured, there are treatments for all of them, and they’re easier to treat if you get them sorted as soon as you can.
If you want to find out more about STIs, visit the RU Thinking website and click on Could I have an STI?
