If you suspect that you might have recently contracted a STI, you should urgently take action. This would help minimise the risk of the infection moving on, and it may also reduce the chances of developing any health issues.
Infections that are sexually transmitted are transmitted by casual intercourse or even genital touch. It is also possible to pass on some STIs through oral or anal sex.
The most common STI is Chlamydia. Genital herpes, genital warts, pubic lice, gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV are other STIs seen in the UK.
The first thing that you can do is go and get checked at your nearest sexual health clinic or GP. If there is one in your town, you can visit a GUM clinic as well. You will be checked for STIs when you arrive and you will need to provide a sample of urine or blood. You can also contact Checkurself.org.uk who offer Home StI Kits London way for you to complete yourself at home.
Should you have any STI symptoms, you should go to your nearest sexual health clinic. This might involve pain in your testicles or discharge from your penis for males. For women, signs include odorous discharge, green or yellow discharge, or lower abdominal pain. If you bleed while you are not getting your period or if you feel discomfort during intercourse, you can also go to the doctor.
Itching or burning around the anus, blisters or discomfort around the genitals, and pain while attempting to move urine are signs that can be encountered by both men and women.
