Sexually Transmitted Infections
This leaflet explains where you can help and advice if you think that you might have a
sexually transmitted infection, are worried about your sexual health or would like a
check up. All services are confidential.
What is a sexually transmitted infection?
If one person has an infection it can pass to another person through vaginal, anal or
oral sex. Infections spread in this way are known as sexually transmitted infections
(STIs). Anyone who has sex can get an STI. You do not need to have lots of sexual
partners. Both men and women can get, and pass on. STIs.
Most STIs are easily treated but treatment should be started as soon as possible.
For some infections, such as HIV (the virus that causes AIDS), there is currently no
cure and the treatment can be complicated. If left untreated many STIs can be
painful ad uncomfortable or, at worst, cause permanent damage to your health and
fertility.
Infections you might have hear of are:
• Chlamydia
• NSU (non specific urethritis)
• Genital warts
• Herpes
• Gonorrhoea
• Pubic lice
• Trichomonas vaginalis
• Syphilis
• HIV
• Hepatitis B
How will I know if I have an infection?
Not everyone who has an STI has signs and/or symptoms. Sometimes these do not
appear for months and sometimes they go away but you can still have the infection.
If you experience any of the following you should seek advice:
• unusual discharge from the vagina
• discharge from the penis
• pain or burning when you pass urine
• itches, rashes, lumps of blisters around the genitals or anus
• pain and/or bleeding during sex
• bleeding between periods (including women who are using hormonal
contraception)
• bleeding after sex
• pain in the testicles or lower abdomen
Even if you do not have any signs and/or symptoms you may also wish to seek
advice or have a check up particularly if:
• you have had unprotected sex with a new partner recently
• you or your sexual partners have sex with other people without using a condom
• your sexual partners has any symptoms
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Where can I go for advice abut STIs?
There are several services that you can go to for help and advice:
• any NHS genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic (sometimes known as special
clinics, VD clinics or STD clinics)
• your GP or practice nurse
• a sexual health clinic
• a family planning clinic
• a young people’s clinic (these services usually have an upper age limit)
Regardless of your age, ethnic group, whether you are male or female, gay, lesbian,
straight or bisexual you can get confidential information and advice about STIs.
Wherever you go, you should not be judged because of your sexual behaviour, but
go to a service where you feel comfortable. Some services hold separate sessions
for men, women, young people, gay men and lesbians. If you choose to go to a
sexual health or a genitourinary medicine clinic, you can go to any in the country.
You do not need a referral from your GP.
Testing and treatment
Not all the services listed above can offer testing and treatment for all infections. You
can call first to check. GUM clinics (and some sexual health clinics) offer a full range
of tests, treatments and advice on all infections. If you agree, they can also help to
confidentially trace previous sexual partners who may need treatment (partner
notification).
If your GP or family planning clinic cannot provide the tests and/or treatment that you
need, they will be able to give you details of the nearest clinic that can.
In addition to tests and treatments for infection there may be other services available
such as:
• free condoms
• special sessions for people who have been sexually assaulted
• psychosexual counselling
• hepatitis B vaccination
Will I need to make an appointment?
Appointments are not always necessary but it is best to ring first and check. If you
have signs and/or symptoms that are concerning you explain this when you ring as
they may be able to see you sooner. Try not to have sex, at least until after you have
been seen and have advice from the GP or clinic. It this is not possible make sure
you use a condom.
Will I need to pay?
All advice, information and tests are free. If you go to your GP you may have to pay
a prescription charge for treatment.
Are sexual health services confidential?
Yes, all health services are completely confidential. Only where it is in your interests
and in extreme circumstances can information about you be passed on and only with
your permission. Although many GUM clinics are based in hospitals, they keep their
written and computer records separate from any other notes you may have there.
If you have any concerns about who will see your medical records, talk to your GP or
the staff at the clinic.
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What happens at a sexual health service?
Exactly what happens can vary depending on where you go. If you are a new patient
at a GUM, sexual health of family planning clinic, you will be asked to fill in a
registration form with details of our name and address. This information will be kept
confidential. You will then see a doctor, nurse or health adviser.
The check up
The doctor, nurse or health adviser will talk to you about your concerns. They will
need to ask you questions about your sex life and about any signs and/or symptoms
that you have. You might feel embarrassed, but do be honest as these questions
help the clinic to do the correct tests. If you are not sure why the questions are being
asked – just say so.
You may need to have some tests. These usually involve an examination and the
testing of some samples.
In both men and women this may mean:
• an examination of genitals, mouth, anus and skin to look for any obvious signs of
infection
• testing a sample of your urine
• having blood taken (if you are being tested for syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B and
C)
• taking swabs from urethra (tube from where you urinate) and any sores or blisters
• taking swabs from the throat and the rectum (back passage). This is much less
common
In women the tests might also include:
• taking swabs from the vagina and cervix (entrance to the womb)
• having an internal examination.
There are may myths about how swabs are done. A swab looks a bit like a cotton
bud, but is smaller and rounded. The swab is wiped over parts of the body that
could be infected and easily picks up samples of discharge and cells. It only takes a
few seconds and is not usually painful, though it may be uncomfortable for a
moment.
You will not automatically be tested for all infections. Ask the doctor or nurse which
tests they are planning to do, and talk to them about anything you are not sure about.
All tests are optional and should only be done with your permission. Sometimes it is
too soon to do some of the tests and you may be given another appointment for a
later time.
The test results
You may get some of your test results and any necessary treatment, such as
antibiotics, straightaway. Some samples have to be sent away to a laboratory so the
results take longer to come back. The service that you are attending will arrange
with you how you will get these results to maintain your confidentiality.
Telling your partner
If you have an STI is very important that your current sexual partner and any other
recent partners are also offered testing and treatment. The staff at the clinic or
doctor’s surgery can discuss with you how you might tell your partner(s). if you feel
that this will be too difficult, GUM clinics and some sexual health clinics can give you
a ‘contact slip’ to send to your partner(s) or, with your permission, the clinic can do
this for you. The slip explains to the person that they may have been exposed to and
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STI and suggests that they go for a check up. It does not say what the infection is, or
have your name on it, so your confidentiality is protected. This is called partner
notification. It is strongly advised you do tell your partner(s) but it is not compulsory.
People whose first language is not English
Some clinics and GPs work with link workers or interpreters who can help people
whose first language is not English, including British Sign Language. Ask the clinic
or GP if this is available. In Highland National Health Service telephone interpreting
services available.
Disabled people
If you have a physical or sensory impairment, some services may not be fully
accessible so contact them first to check. Your GP or clinic may know of other
services that will suit your needs.
Where can I get further information and details of sexual health services?
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Call sexual health direct, run by fpa for confidential information and advice on all
sexually transmitted infections, contraception, sexual well-being, planning a
pregnancy and pregnancy choices. We can also give you details of sexual
health services and a wide range of leaflets, including a guide to male and
female condoms.
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fpa UK
0845 310 1334 9am – 7pm Monday – Friday
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fpa Northern Ireland
Belfast: 028 90 325 488
Derry: 028 71 260 016
9am – 5pm Monday – Thursday, 9am – 4.30pm Friday
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or visit fpa’s web-site www.fpa.org.uk
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Highland sexual Health Services 01463 704202
Details of clinics can be found in the telephone directory under sexual health,
genitourinary medicine (GUM), sexually transmitted disease (STD) or venereal
disease (VD).
A final word …
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There are a number of services you can go to. Choose the service you feel
most comfortable with.
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Wherever you go, you should not be judged because of your sexual behaviour.
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All advice, information and tests are free. All services are confidential.
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All tests are optional and should only be done with your permission.
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Ask as many questions as you need to – and make sure you get answers in
language you understand.
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The staff will give you as much support as you need, particularly if you need help
on how to tell your partner.
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Helplines
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Call sexual health direct, run by fpa on 0845 310 1334 for confidential
information and advice on STIs, contraception and pregnancy choices.
For confidential information about STIs, sexual health or where to find local
services call the Sexual Health Line on 0800 567 123.
Textphone 0800 521 361. Lines are open 24 hours a day.
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Visit the websites www.playingsafely.co.uk and www.ssha.info (Society of
Sexual Health Advisers).
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Young people under 25 can also call Brook on 0800 0185 023.
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Call NHS24 on 08454 242424
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For health education leaflets contact DH Publications Orderline 08701 555 455
The information in this leaflet is based on evidence and medical opinion available at
the time of printing. Different people may give you different advice about certain
points.
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