Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
When you have a sexual contact there is a risk of picking up a sexually transmitted infection (STI) from your partner.
One in two sexually active young people will get an STI by the age of 25, and most won’t even know it
There was a 6% increase in 2022 compared to 2021 in people aged 20 - 24
The rate of syphilis increased by more than 25% in 2018
Often you can have an STI and have no symptoms. The best way to find out if you have an STI is to get tested.
Key Facts
One in two sexually active young people will get an STI by the age of 25
You can have an STI and have no symptoms
The best way to find out if you have an STI is to get tested
You can get an STI the first time you have sex
You don’t need to have penetrative sex to get an STI
Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at the greatest risk of STIs
Some of the most common STIs symptoms are:
Unusual or unpleasant discharge from your vagina, penis or anus.
Unusual pain during sexual intercourse.
”Spotting” (bleeding) between periods.
Pain and swelling in the groin and testes (balls).
Irritation, rashes, sore patches, lumps around the genitals or anus.
It’s important to remember that some STIs have no symptoms. The only way to know for sure is to get tested.
How can you reduce the risk of STIs?
Practice safer sex – use condoms correctly and every time you have sex
Avoid oral sex if you or your partner have sores on the mouth, gums or genitals
Reduce your number of sex partners
Always use a good quality condom and a lubricant when having anal sex, which carries a higher risk of STIs
Be mindful of your use of drugs and alcohol, as they can make you do things you might regret and leave you more open to taking risks
Have regular check-ups for STIs
Have an STI screening with your partner before starting a new sexual relationship
If you have an STI you may be advised to avoid vaginal, oral and anal sex during treatment until you are clear of infection
If you are worried you may have an STI, get help
Where can you get help?
Your local Sexual Transmitted Infections Clinic (STI Clinic) or Genitourinary Medicine Clinic (GUM Clinic) offer free and confidential screening (testing) and treatment. The clinics can be busy, so it’s best to ring and book in advance.
STI Testing Services in Cork
The GUM clinic at the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital (SIVUH).
The GUM / STD Clinic is a free, HSE operated Sexual Health Service based in the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital (SIVUH), Cork. If you have a query or wish to make an appointment, please contact GUM / STD Clinic directly at 021 4966 844. Please note that the GUM clinic does not accept walk-in appointments.
The Gum Clinic operates a 24-hour voice mail service.
If you leave a clear message with your name and contact phone number, they will return your call within 24-48 hours.South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Old Blackrock Rd.
Cork, Co. Cork
2. The Youth Health Service (YHS)
The Youth Health Service (YHS) offers a free STI and contraception clinic for anyone aged 233 or under. To make an appointment, call 0214937250. Please note that the YHS does not accept walk-in appointments.
Youth Health Service,Penrose House, Penrose Quay,
Cork.
3. Free home testing STI kit
Free home testing is available in every county across Ireland from the online service SH24.IE Anyone aged 17 or over can order a free STI test to their home or other valid postal address in Ireland. Only a fixed number of kits are available to order each day. If there are no more kits available when you try and order, please try again the next morning.
The kits are in anonymous packaging with no mentinon on the cover of what’s inside. The kit includes instructions on how to complete the tests and a stamped addressed envelope for posting the completed tests back to the lab. You should receive your results by phone or text message within 72 hours of the samples arriving at the lab.
Following your test support is available from SH:24’s clinical team by phone or text message.
Order yours today from: SH24.ie
Treatment of STIs
Bacterial infections such as chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhea are treated with antibiotics
Warts are treated with solutions to burn, freeze or dry them off. But the virus may remain in your body
Herpes cannot be cured but treatments can help avoid or relieve some of the symptoms to help stop you becoming sick
HIV cannot be cured but very effective treatments are now available that can allow you to have sex without transmitting the virus to a partner
Pubic lice and scabies are treated with lotions
If a woman has genital herpes when having a baby she may have to have to give birth by caesarean section (an operation to deliver the baby)
The most common STIs
Chlamydia
(pronounced cla-mid-e-a) is the most common curable bacterial infection.
Why should you care?
Chlamydia is increasing in Ireland, especially among young sexually active people. You might have it without knowing about it. If you leave chlamydia untreated you can get serious infections and may become infertile (not able to get pregnant).
What can you do about it?
Have regular STI screenings. Once detected, chlamydia can be treated easily with special antibiotics that are prescribed at a clinic.
Genital warts
Genital warts are caused by a virus (the human papilloma virus). They can be small or large lumps. The warts you can get on your hands are different from the ones on your genitals.
Why should you care?
Genital warts are the most common STI in Ireland. You can pass on the wart virus fairly easily by 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 can stay in your body for a number of years.
What can you do about them?
Warts can be removed by covering them in a liquid or cream that will burn or freeze them off. It may take a few treatments at a clinic to remove them.
Genital herpes
Genital herpes (pronounced gen-it-al hurr-pees) is caused by a virus called herpes simplex. Type 1 of this virus is normally found around the mouth and causes what we know as cold sores. Cold sores are almost never an STI. Type 2 is normally found around the genital area and causes genital herpes.
Why should you care?
Once you have the herpes virus it stays in your body. It is possible to pass on cold sores from the mouth to the genital area through oral sex. The eyes, fingers and breasts can also be infected. If a woman has herpes sores when having a baby she may have to give birth by caesarean section (an operation to deliver the baby).
What can you do about it?
You can get treatment to help with the symptoms. To help with the symptoms you should keep the genital area cool and dry, wear loose cotton underwear and avoid tight clothing and sunlight.
Pubic lice (crabs)
Pubic lice are small insects that live in areas of the body with coarse hair (not the hair on your head). They live especially in the groin area, but can also live in armpits, eyebrows and eyelashes. They are different to head lice.
Why should you care?
Pubic lice do not cause serious health problems but can be irritating and you can easily pass them on to someone else, even without having sexual intercourse. They are most common in young people.
What can you do about it?
You will need to cover your body with a special lotion to kill off the lice and their eggs which lie in the root of the pubic hair.
Waxing and shaving will not get rid of them.
If you require our support or more information, don’t hesitate to ring our advice line on 021 427 6676 or drop-in Mon - Thurs 9 AM - 530 PM, Fridays 9 AM - 2 PM