STI's or STD's

Sexually Transmitted Diseases or Infections (STD’s or STI’s)

You don’t need to have a lot of sexual partner’s to get a sexually transmitted infection . Anyone who has sex male, female, straight, gay, lesbian or bisexual can get one.
STD stands for Sexually Transmitted Disease, and STI for Sexually Transmitted Infections, and yes you've guessed it they are passed on by having sex. How do you know if you’ve got an STI / STD?

Common symptoms of STIs are unusual discharges, smell, needing to pee more than usual, itching, rashes, lumps, blisters or even pain in your genitals, or when you have sex. Symptoms can take anything from two days to four weeks to develop, although with HIV infection there are no symptoms.
HIV can take up to three to six months before the test can work to see if you've got it. It's best to get things checked out as soon as you can though and save a lot of worry. You may be clear anyway and be worrying for nothing. Long-term effects from STIs can include damage to fertility, and damage to genital areas. You may not think about having children now, but it may ruin your chances in the future. Get it checked out!

Think You Have A STI?

So what do I do? Here are some steps to help you on your way to becoming STI free:

Step 1: Bite the bullet and go to your doctor or local STI clinic. Most large hospitals have a clinic and you may prefer to see someone other than your GP.
You can call NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24 or check out the NHS your sexual health section for your nearest clinic. Remember if you go to a clinic or to see your GP it's totally confidential and no one will find out without your agreement. Even if you are under the legal age of consent (16), your family will not find out. It's free.
Step 2: Don't have sex with anyone if you think you've got an STI until you've got the all clear. You could infect someone else.
Step 3: Although it can be difficult and embarrassing, tell whoever you've had sex with, so they can be tested and treated.

Prevention is always the best practice. All this time consuming worrying can be avoided in the first place by practising safe sex, talking to your partner and using condoms.