STI Testing and treatment

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection usually passed through unprotected sex or sharing unwashed sex toys. 

Chlamydia is the most common STIs infection in the UK, and very common amongst young people underage of 25 who are sexually active, change partners frequently and do not use condoms. 

Most people with chlamydia do not show any symptoms and often don’t know they have it. If you are under 25, sexually active and have unprotected sex with new or a casual partner, it is recommended that you have a chlamydia test every year. 

Chlamydia can be treated with a short course of antibiotics. If left untreated it can spread to other parts of your body and cause long-term health problems, including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility (in women) or inflammation of the testicles (in men). 

Gonorrhoea is also called “the clap”. Similarly to Chlamydia, it is passed through unprotected sex or sharing unwashed sex toys. Gonorrhoea can be also passed to the new born baby during the childbirth.  

Gonorrhoea often doesn't have any symptoms so you can easily pass it onto a partner without knowing. You should get an STI test every year if you have unprotected sex and / or change sexual partners.

For the full list of symptoms, please take a look at the NHS website. 

Gonorrhoea is curable and can be treated easily with antibiotics. The treatment needs to be taken by you and your sexual partner. Make sure you use condoms to avoid getting infected again. 

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that damages the cells in your immune system and weakens your ability to fight everyday infections and disease. Take a look at our HIV & PrEP page below for more information.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). If it's not treated, it can cause serious and potentially life-threatening problems.

Syphilis is caused by bacteria and spreads through unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex. You can get infected by having a close contact with someone who is infected. Syphilis can also be spread by sharing unwashed sex toys or can be passed on to the newborn during the childbirth. 

Syphilis symptoms usually develop in three stages. 

Stage 1: Primary Syphilis:  

• Painless sores around the genitals (sores can develop within 10 says to three months from being infected) 

• Swollen glands around your neck and/or under your armpits  

Stage 2: Secondary Syphilis (develops when primary syphilis is not treated): 

• Rash on your body (highly infectious) 

• Patchy hair loss 

• White patches around your mouth  

• Growths which may appear near your anus or vulva (highly infectious) 

During this stage you will feel unwell, can develop fever or a headache and experience weight loss.  

Stage 3: Tertiary Syphilis 

At that stage untreated syphilis can cause serious health consequences including damage to your heart, brain, bones or even your nervous system.  

How is syphilis treated?

Syphilis treatment requires antibiotic treatment. Sexual activity should be avoided until treatment is completed, and all symptoms disappear. 

How can I prevent syphilis?

You can reduce risk for getting infected by avoiding sexual contact with infected individual and using barrier contraception (internal and external condoms). 

Genital warts are a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) passed on by vaginal and anal sex, sharing sex toys and, rarely, by oral sex. Treatment from a sexual health clinic can help.

Any sores or warts in your genital area are uncomfortable and may be painful. Understanding the difference between genital warts and genital herpes is important for effective treatment management of this sexually transmitted infections.  

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) passed on through vaginal, anal and oral sex. Treatment from a sexual health clinic can help. Symptoms clear up on their own but can come back.

Monkeypox is not usually thought of as a sexually transmitted infection (STI) as it is still not clear if the virus can be passed in sexual bodily fluids. It could just be that the close contact that happens during sexual activity leads to infection.

Monkeypox usually goes away by itself after a few weeks, but it can be dangerous in some people, especially children. If you think you have symptoms of monkeypox, avoid contact with others, and talk to a doctor urgently.