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Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), also known as Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and Venereal Diseases (VDs) are illnesses and conditions that are likely to be passed on by sexual contact. This includes oral sex and anal sex, not just sexual intercourse. Some STIs can also be passed on using IV drug needles if a person with an infection has previously used the needle. Some STIs are easily treatable but others have no cure and once you have them, you have them for life. There are 5 types of STI: Bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic and protozoal.

Bacterial
- Chancroid is characterised by painful sores on the genitals that break down into a painful bleeding ulcer . An early symptoms is green shears in excrement.
- Chlamydia often goes unnoticed and is passed by oral and anal sex as well as sexual intercourse. This makes it very common and easily spread. In women, unusual bleeding or discharge and pain during sex and while urinating are all symptoms. In men, a burning sensation during urination, discharge from the penis and painful testicles can all point towards Chlamydia. If left untreated, it can result in becoming sterile in both sexes.
- Granuloma Inguinale becomes noticeable after 10 - 40 days when small, painless nodules appear on the penis, labia or perineum. These then burst creating open, fleshy, oozy lesions. If untreated, the infection will spread, mutilating the infected tissue.
-Gonorrhea can be transmitted by oral, vaginal and anal sex and if left untreated can lead to infertility and joint damage. In males, a yellow discharge from the penis is a typical sign as well as painful urination. In women, unusual discharge, off-cycle bleeding and painful urination are all sign but fewer than half of all females show any symptoms at all.
- Syphilis occurs wherever on the body the contact was made. This is usually the genitals but can occur anywhere. 10-90 days after exposure, a legion appears at the point of contact. After 6-8 weeks, it heals spontaneously but the infection does not go away. If left untreated after this stage, syphilis can become very serious and infect the whole body.

All of these bacterial infections can be treated with a course of antibiotics. The earlier you go to a doctor, the easier the treatment and the better the overall outcome. Some of these infections can leave permanent scars if left untreated for too long.

Viral
- Viral hepatitis is a liver inflammation caused by any one of 5 hepatitis viruses. Hepatitis B is passed through unprotected sex and causes loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, body aches, mild fever and dark urine. Several vaccines have been produced to prevent HepB. Hepatitis A and E is passed from anus to mouth and has similar symptoms. Viral hepatitis usually clears up after about 2 months.
- Herpes causes sores on the outside of the genitals between 4 and 7 days after infection. In males, the lesions occur on the Glans penis, shaft, testicles, inner thighs, buttocks and anus. In females they can appear on and around the pubis, labia, clitoris, vulva, buttocks and anus. Other symptoms include pain, itching and burning. There is currently no treatment for herpes but the transmission can be stopped using condoms.
- HIV is separate from AIDS and mustn't be confused. HIV cannot pass through unbroken skin and is contracted through genital, anal and oral mucous. HIV has four main stages: incubation, acute infection, latency stage and AIDS. The first stage shows no symptoms and lasts for 2 to 4 weeks. The acute infection lasts for one month and symptoms includes a fever, sore throat, muscle pain, a rash and sores. The latency stage shows few symptoms and lasts anywhere from 2 weeks to 20 years. This then progresses to AIDS which has many symptoms including an increased risk of cancer, fevers, sweats, swollen glands, chills, weakness and weight loss. There is currently no cure or vaccine against HIV or AIDS and the average survival after infection is 9 to 11 years. In countries where Antiretroviral drugs are available, life expectancy increases to 20-50 years.
- HPV can lead to warts and in some cases, cancers of the vulva, cervix, vagina and anus in women and penis and anus in men; however, HPV often shows no symptoms. There is currently no cure for HPV but where cancer does not form, the infection will usually clear up by itself. A HPV vaccine is also available for women in most countries.
- Molluscum Contagiosum shows as bumps on the skin that do not hurt but may itch or become irritable. Picking or scratching them may lead to further infection or scarring. Treatment is not often necessary and the infection will usually clear up in 2 to 3 months. Unlike herpes, once the bumps have gone, the virus is gone.

Fungal
- Jock itch (also known as crotch itch, gym itch, ringworm of the groin and scrot itch) is caused by tight and sweaty clothes in the groin area and results in itching or burning in this area. A rash appears that can turn into oozing blisters and can be transmitted through sexual contact. Powders and drugs are available from your GP to help it clear up but good hygiene such as drying thoroughly, showering after sport, not sharing towels and wearing loose fitting cotton underwear is the bet remedy.
- Yeast infection can occur in both men and women and is characterised by redness, itching and discomfort as well as a whitish-grey cottage-cheese-like discharge. In men, red sore on the penis and foreskin are also common. It is easily treatable with anti-fungal treatments from your GP.

Parasites
- Crab louse (crabs) causes itching in the pubic hair region and may also result in grey-blue colouration. The lice can be transmitted through shared towels, bed linen and clothing as well as during sex. Pubic lice can also occur in other body hair, including eye lashes, not just in pubic hair. It is easily treated with Permethrin 1% cream and shaving off all the infection hair. Infected bed sheets should be sealed in a plastic bag and left for 2 weeks for all the lice to die before washing.
- Scabies burrows under the skin leaving S-shaped tracks and causes severe itching and a rash. it can quickly spread to other parts of the body from genitals to the underarms and between fingers and toes. In women it can also be found under breasts. Symptoms tend not to show straight away and you can have it without any itching or rash for 2 - 6 weeks. There are many treatments for the infection.

Protozoal
- Trichomoniasis typically only shows up in women but men can carry it without showing any symptoms. In women, inflammation of the cervix, urethra and vagina causes severe itching and burning. There may also be a green-yellow, itchy, frothy, foul-smelling vaginal discharge and pain during sex or urination. Whilst symptoms in men are uncommon, pain inside the penis, discharge and burning during urination or ejaculation can occur. In some cases, the infection can go unnoticed for years without any sign of it. An antibiotic is available to treat it.



Prevention
It is often best to try and prevent infection in the first place. For many forms of infection, a condom is the best barrier to prevent transmission. For infections such as Crab Louse where the infection is in an area not covered by a condom, not having sex and general good hygiene is the best way to stop its spread. It is worth remembering that many STIs can be passed on through oral and anal sex too, as well as through close contact and sharing bedding and towels so this must also be taken into account. For more information on STIs or if you think you may have one, please visit your doctor as soon as possible.