|
Sexually transmitted infections (or STIs as they are known) are infections that are passed on by having sex with another person. There are over 25 different types of STIs and 16 of them are common in the UK. They are very common in sexually active young people (i.e. young people who have started to have sex) and in the UK approximately one in nine sexually active young people has an STI. The occurrence of STIs in this country has rapidly increased in recent years and continues to increase, especially amongst 16-19 year olds.
Many STIs are easily treatable if diagnosed quickly but can cause serious problems and be passed on to other people if left untreated. If a person suspects they may have an STI, it's really important to seek medical advice as soon as possible. Many people with STIs do not have symptoms. Someone who has been treated may not tell their partner that they have been infected and it may not be possible to tell just by looking at them. The more sexual partners a person has, the greater the risk of contracting an STI. Some STIs can have long term complications such as infertility and cancer.
Prevention is better than cure. The good news is that STIs are completely preventable. There is no risk if a person does not have sex. Sex can be completely safe: safe sex is a faithful relationship with an uninfected partner.
Condoms are the only popular method of birth control used by young people which offer some protection against STIs. However it is important to remember that condoms make sex safer, they do not make sex safe. For example, genital warts are passed on by skin-to-skin contact around the pubic region and condoms offer little protection against transmission of HPV, the virus causing genital warts. Condoms may not be used correctly or may split. Up to three-quarters of unplanned pregnancies result from contraceptive failure, mainly condoms. If a person or their sexual partner has one or all of the following:
-
an abnormal discharge
-
irregular periods/staining
-
pain on passing urine
-
lower abdominal pain
-
an ulcer or wart on the genital skin
-
pain during intercourse, or....
there may be no symptoms at all but if they have recently become sexually active, had unprotected sex (sex without a condom) or changed their sexual partner recently, then they may have an STI and should either see their GP or contact the local NHS Sexual Health Clinic and make an appointment. They could also see their school nurse or attend a local family planning clinic or young person's clinic for advice.
The Sexual Health Clinic is a unit which specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of STIs, and is usually found at the local hospital. NHS clinics offer a confidential and non-judgmental service. The clinic can be contacted by phoning the hospital switchboard and asking for the GUM clinic. Alteratively, the phone number will be in the phone directory under genito-urinary medicine, sexual health or sexually transmitted disease. The easy way to find the address and phone number is to Google it, however, it is not necessary to go to the local clinic, people can attend any Sexual Health clinic in the country and do not need to be referred by their doctor.
What happens at the clinic?
- The full sexual history is taken and the patient is examined by a specialist doctor
- Tests are taken, some tests are swabs and others are blood tests
- Treatment and medication is issued free at the clinic for the patient to take away
- The Health Advisor explains diagnosis and treatment, answers questions and helps the patient contact sexual partners. The patient is given contact slips with the name and phone number of the clinic, the patient's clinic number (their name is not disclosed) also a code for the STIs being treated. The contact can then take the slip to any Sexual Health Clinic to get testing and any necessary treatment.
- Absolute confidentiality is assured and no information is given to their GP or parents regardless of the age of the patient.
|
