I’m worried I might have or catch an STI
OVERVIEW
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
People under the age of 29 have the highest rates of STIs in Ireland. Sex can be fun and enjoyable, but if you want to stay healthy, you need to take precautions. When you have unprotected sexual contact with a person you may pick up a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) from them. A person who has an STI can pass it on to another person without even realising. STIs are increasing in Ireland. The best way to avoid them is to know about them and protect yourself.
WHO IS AT RISK?
Anyone who has had physical sexual contact with another person is at risk of an STI. STIs are on the increase in Ireland. Some STIs may not show any symptoms but that does not mean they are not causing damage. Chlamydia, for example, often shows no symptoms but can lead to problems with fertility. It is important to have an STI screening if you have unprotected sexual contact with a partner whose STI status you don’t know. You can get an STI the first time you have sex. You do not need to have penetrative sex to contract an STI.
STI PREVENTION FOR LESBIAN, BISEXUAL AND PANSEXUAL GIRLS AND WOMEN AND PEOPLE ASSIGNED FEMALE AT BIRTH
It is essential that you have considered how to protect yourself from STIs before you have any physical sexual contact with another person. Whatever your sexual orientation, if you are sexually active, you are at risk of contracting a STI. If you do not have access to dental dams, you can make them by cutting up condoms - see the image below. You can avail of free condoms from the Sexual Health Centre.
STI PREVENTION FOR PEOPLE ASSIGNED MALE AT BIRTH
To protect yourself from STIs, it is always necessary to use a condom for penetrative sex. Some people use PrEP to protect themselves from HIV (see the HIV section below). It is important to remember that PrEP will not protect against other STIs. Only condoms can prevent transmission of other STIs. You can avail of condom demonstrations and free condoms from the Sexual Health Centre.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE AN STI?
Often you can have an STI and show no symptoms. It is possible to have more than one STI at a time. The only way to find out if you have an STI is to be tested.
Some of the most common symptoms are:
No symptoms! Many people who have an STI have no symptoms and do not know that they have an STI - this is why it’s important to get tested.
Some people may display the following symptoms:
Unusual or unpleasant discharge
from your vagina, penis or anus.
Pain or burning when urinating.
Unusual pain during sex.
Pain and swelling of the groin area and testes.
Irritation, rashes, sore patches, lumps around
the genitals or anus.
YOU CAN HAVE AN STI AND NOT KNOW IT
You cannot tell if someone has an STI just by looking at them. People sometimes describe having no STIs as being ‘clean’. This language creates prejudice and stigma towards people who have an STI, by implying that they are not ‘clean’. If a person gets an STI it does not mean that they are dirty. It just means that they have a medical condition that needs attention. Try to use phrases such as ‘free of STIs’ or ‘clear of STIs’ instead of saying clean.
HOW CAN YOU REDUCE THE RISK OF STIS?
Condoms help protect against most STIs, so use them correctly every time you have sex.
Avoid oral sex if you or your partner has sores on the mouth, gums or genitals.
Use (flavoured) condoms to make oral sex safer.
Anal sex is a high risk activity for STI transmission. You must always use a good quality condom and lubricant.
Be careful if using alcohol or other drugs, as they can make you do things that you might regret and leave you more open to taking risks.
Have regular check-ups for STIs. We recommend that sexually active people get tested at least once a year.
You and your partner should have STI screenings before starting a new relationship.
If you are worried that you may have an STI, get tested. Check the end of this booklet for contact details.
WHERE CAN YOU GET TESTED?
Your local STI Clinic offers a free and confidential screening and treatment. The clinics can be busy so it is best to telephone as most clinics work by an appointment only basis. You can contact the organisations listed on the back cover of this booklet for information on the services in your area.
GOING TO AN STI CLINIC
The window period is the length of time you need to wait to make sure that your result is accurate. If a Sexually Transmitted Infection has been passed on, it will take time before the infection is visible in a medical examination i.e. the infection won’t show up on a test straight away, so you may need to wait days, weeks or months before getting a test. Each infection requires a different ‘window period’.
MOST COMMON STIS
Some STIs are caused by a virus (genital warts, HIV, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and herpes), and other STIs are caused by bacteria (chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis) or by skin contact (pubic lice, crabs). Some of the more common STIs in Ireland are genital warts and chlamydia. Other STIs include trichomoniasis (pronounced tric- o-mon-i-uh-sus), non-specific urethritis (NSU), syphilis (pronounced sif-ill-is) and hepatitis. You can get more information about them on www.sexualhealthcentre.com/stis, or read about some of the most common STI’s in Ireland below. It is advisable to get tested regularly if you are sexually active, or if you have ever had unprotected sex, or if a condom broke or ripped.
CHLAMYDIA 101
HIV TRANSMISSION
ANO-GENITAL WARTS
Ano-genital warts are caused by a virus (the human papilloma virus). Warts can be small or large lumps. The warts that people sometimes get on their hands can not be transferred to genitals.
Why should you care?
Ano-genital warts are the second most reported STI in Ireland. You can pass on the wart virus easily by skin-to-skin contact. Warts are easy to treat but the wart virus can sometimes be in your body for about a year before you see any growths. You could pass it on without even knowing you have it. Once you get the wart virus it may remain in your body forever and warts may reappear even after removal.
What can you do about them?
Warts can be removed or treated at a clinic. It may take a few treatments at a clinic to remove them.
Further Resources
