STI FAQs - Youthoria

What are sexually transmitted infections and how do you catch them?
Sexually Transmitted Infections (known as STIs) is a name given to a number of infections which can be transmitted by sexual intercourse and other forms of intimate sexual contact.

The following infections are classified as STIs:

Chlamydia
Genital Herpes
Genital Warts
Gonorrhoea
HIV and AIDS
Pubic lice
Scabies
Syphilis
Trichomonas
Thrush
Non-specific urethritis

You can catch an STI from an infected person by:

Sexual intercourse (including anal sex
Genital to genital contact
Genital to mouth contact (oral sex)
Mouth to mouth contact (not all STIs)

Find out more about sexually transmitted infections.

Can you tell if someone has an STI?
Sometimes an infected person may have spots or sores around the mouth, penis, vagina or anus and/or a discharge from the penis or vagina. However more often than not an infected person may not have any symptoms and may not even know themselves - This is what makes STIs so dangerous.

How can I protect myself from STIs?
The main way to protect yourself from STIs is to use condoms when you have sex. Condoms provide a physical barrier which STIs cannot penetrate and therefore are the best defence against the transference of infections.

You can also protect yourself by being careful about not having intimate contact with people to readily and waiting until you know a bit more about them.

Does the pill protect you from STIs?
No .... The pill will protect you against pregnancy but not against STIs. The only thing that will protect you from STIs is a condom.

How can you find out if someone has an STI?
Because some STIs have no symptoms it's impossible for you to tell if someone is clear of STIs. Obviously if a person has any symptoms like spots, sores or discharge you can guess that they have an STI but the only way you can know for sure that they don't have any is to get tested at your Doctor's surgery or at a GUM clinic (Genito-Urinary Medicine).

Many couples get themselves tested when they decide that they are totally committed to each other and don't want to use condoms any more.

My Doctor says I have got an STI (Thrush) but I haven't had sex?
The term Sexually Transmitted Infections refers to infections that can be passed on by intimate sexual contact. This doesn't mean that you have to have sex to get them in the first place. For example you could get HIV by sharing needles.

However there are also some infections which can simply develop in your own body without the need to catch them from someone. Thrush is an infection that can just start up in the body and it can be something as simple as wearing tight clothing that caused it!

Can you catch an STI from a toilet seat?
No.......you can't catch an STI from a toilet seat.

Can you pass on an STI through kissing?
You can only pass on an STI through kissing if the infected person has the infection around his/her mouth. If someone caught an infection of something like, Thrush, Gonorrhoea or Syphilis through oral sex it could cause sores around the mouth which could then be passed on by kissing.

For this reason it is always advisable to use a condom or dental dam when having oral sex.

Where do you get treatment for an STI?
Most STIs can be treated by your regular doctor with a simple course of medication. You can also go to a special clinic called a "GUM" clinic (Genito-Urinary Medicine)...... click here to find out where your nearest GUM clinic is.

Will my parents have to find out?
If you go to a Doctor or GUM clinic it will remain confidential and the details of your visit cannot be revealed to your parents or carers.

Can you die from catching an STI?
The answer to this question really depends on the STI and how long it goes untreated. HIV/AIDS is one STI that is an obvious killer but most other STIs can be treated .

What happens if you don't get treated?
If you have an STI you need to get it properly treated because if left STIs can cause anything from a general feeling of being unwell to blindness and in some cases death. Like most illnesses STIs respond better if caught early and often all that is needed is a course of antibiotics.

There is however no cure for HIV/AIDS and although there have been great improvements in treatment which prolongs the life expectancy of infected people it is still a fatal infection.

I have a discharge from my vagina, could it be an STI?
It is quite normal to have a discharge from the vagina as long as it is milky in colour and does not have a strong odour. If on the other hand the discharge is yellowy and/or has a foul smell it is a sign that something is wrong and you should ask your Doctor about it.

Will catching an STI stop me being able to have a baby?
If you catch an STI and you have it treated early it shouldn't effect your ability to have children. However if an STI goes untreated long enough it can effect fertility. Also if you were infected and managed to conceive the infection could be passed onto the unborn child.