STI testing – patient information

What is an STI?

“STI” stands for Sexually Transmissible Infection.  An STI can be passed from person to person during sexual activity. Sexual activity includes:

• Touching or rubbing genitals
• Oral sex
• Kissing
• Intercourse
• Using sex toys

Common STIs include

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhoea
• Mycoplasma Genitalium
• Syphilis
• Hepatitis B+C
• HIV
• Genital herpes/cold sores (HSV)
• Genital warts (HPV)

Which STIs are usually included in STI screening tests?

Standard STI screening (ie STI testing for people who do not have symptoms) involves urine and blood tests, and  usually check for the following conditions:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhoea
• Mycoplasma Genitalium
• Syphilis
• Hepatitis B+C
• HIV

What are the symptoms of an STI?

The symptoms of an STI depend on the particular infection and can present quite differently in different people.

STIs often cause symptoms around the genital area. In men, this includes the penis, testicles and anal region. In women, this this includes the vagina, vulva and anal region.

Common STI symptoms can include:

• Itch or irritation in the genital area
• Rash, sores, ulcers, blisters or lumps on the skin.
• Discharge from the penis, vagina or anus (bottom)
• Burning when passing urine (peeing)
• Bumps/ lumps on the skin
• Pain in the genitals or lower belly

STIs don’t always cause symptoms- it is possible to have an STI and pass it on to a sexual partner without realising.

If an STI is not diagnosed and treated,  long term health problems can occur.

That is why regular sexual health check ups are important.

What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a very common bacterial STI . Many people do not experience symptoms. Symptoms can include:

• stinging/ burning when passing urine
• In women: change in vaginal discharge, pelvic pain (including pain during sex),  irregular vaginal bleeding
• In men: discharge from penis, redness at the tip of the penis

Chlamydia is tested by a urine specimen (or a swab of the vagina/urethra) and can be successfully treated with antibiotics.

What is Gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial STI . Many people do not experience symptoms. Symptoms can include:

• stinging/ burning when passing urine
• sore or irritated throat
• In women: change in vaginal discharge, pelvic pain (including pain during sex),  irregular vaginal bleeding
• In men: discharge from penis or anus

Gonorrhoea can be successfully treated with antibiotics.

What is Mycoplasma Genitalium?

Mycoplasma Genitalium is a bacterial STI . Many people do not experience symptoms. Symptoms can include:

• stinging/ burning when passing urine
• In women: change in vaginal discharge, pelvic pain (including pain during sex),  irregular vaginal bleeding
• In men: discharge from penis, redness at the tip of the penis

Mycoplasma can be successfully treated with antibiotics.

What is Syphilis?

Syphilis is a bacterial STI. Some people may not notice symptoms. It is extremely important to diagnose and treat Syphilis as the complications can be very serious. It can be transmitted from a pregnant woman to a baby during pregnancy, with serious consequences. Symptoms of Syphilis can include:

• Ulcer-like sore on the genital area or a rash
• Fever (high temperature)
• Swelling of the glands (lymph nodes) in  the groin area and in the armpits
• Tiredness
• Hair loss

Syphilis can be successfully treated with antibiotics. However if it is diagnosed late and complications have developed, antibiotics may not be able to reverse all of these.

What is Hepatitis?

Hepatitis B and C are bloodborne viral infections, that are also present in other  body fluids, and can be passed on during sexual contact. These viruses can cause inflammation of the liver. Many people do not experience symptoms. Symptoms can include :

• Nausea
• Reduced appetite
• Fever
• Dark urine
• Jaundice (yellow discoloration of the eyes and skin)
• Fatigue
• Pain under the ribs, in the upper right abdominal area

What is HIV?

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks the immune system, and damages the body’s ability to fight infection. HIV can be passed on through having vaginal or anal sex with an infected person without using a condom (it is rarely transmitted when condoms are used).  Transmission can also occur by sharing injecting equipment. It can also be passed from a pregnant woman to her unborn baby, or if an infected woman breastfeeds her child. It can also be passed on healthcare settings if someone gets a needlestick injury involving an infected person.

HIV is rarely passed on by having oral sex without a condom, or by skin splashes with HIV-infected body fluids.

It is not passed on by kissing, shaking hands or social contact. It is also not transmitted by sharing cutlery or drinking from the same cup, using the same toilet facilities or through insect bites.

Many people who have HIV do not notice any symptoms at first. Symptoms may include:

• a flu-like illness
• swollen lymph nodes (glands)
• skin rash
• aches and pains
• recurrent infections

HIV can be diagnosed via a blood test.  There is a short period of time between the exposure to HIV and  the blood test becoming positive. This is called the window period, and is usually around 6 weeks, though it can be as little as 2 weeks or as much as 12 weeks.

HIV can be treated with antiretroviral medications which stop the virus from multiplying.  This treatment now allows people who have HIV to live long healthy lives.