Sexually transmitted infections
One of the main risks to sexual health is the chance that you can get a sexually transmitted infection (STI). These infections can be spread through sexual contact or skin-to-skin contact.
Think first!
Can you list any STIs that you know? Do you know how someone could protect themselves from getting an STI?
Type your thoughts into the box below before you move on.
There are many different types of STIs….they can be:
- Bacterial infections (such as gonorrhoea, syphilis and chlamydia) – these STIs can be treated with antibiotics
- Viruses (such as herpes, genital warts and Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV)
- Parasites (such as pubic lice)
Some STIs can be treated and cured; however, some of them (such as HIV) cannot be cured – although HIV can be controlled by taking daily medication which prevents the infection being passed onto others.
You can maintain good sexual health by taking steps to protect yourself (and others) from STIs. Click on the images below to learn about different forms of protection against STIs.
Methods of barrier protection
Using a condom or a dental dam can protect against the spread of STIs, as they act as a barrier and prevent infection passing from one person to another.
Condoms and dental dams can protect against STIs that are spread through sexual contact, such as vaginal sex and oral sex (these include STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and HIV) – however, they don’t provide complete protection against infections that are passed on by skin-to-skin contact such as herpes, genital warts and syphilis.
It’s important to remember that, when you have any type of sex, no method of protection is 100% reliable. There is always an element of risk involved.
Regular checks
If you are having sex, you should get yourself tested for STIs regularly, either at a sexual health clinic or a GP’s surgery. In particular, young people under the age of 25 are advised to go and get checked for STIs once a year.
Regular checks are important as some STIs have no symptoms – so, unless an infected person got tested, they wouldn’t know they had an infection and they may be infecting other people without realising it.
Avoid multiple partners
The more people you have sex with, the more chance you have of getting an STI – especially if you don’t always use protection. This reinforces the importance of checking/testing regularly for STIs.
Similarly, if you start a sexual relationship with a new partner, you may both decide to be tested before you have sex, to make sure neither of you have an infection that could be passed onto the other person.
Talk to each other
In a relationship, the couple should be able to talk openly with each other about the risk of STIs and the protection they will use to avoid infection. They can support each other by going together for regular checks and take responsibility for using protection correctly every time they have sex.