Genital herpes can be caught through oral sex with someone with a cold sore around or in their mouth, or by close, skin-to-skin genital contact with someone who has genital herpes.Īntiviral tablets can help the healing process and shorten the length of the episode. A GP can prescribe tablets or cream. Symptoms can include painful blisters and ulcers on or around the genitals or anus, although some people have no symptoms. You'll find more information on shigella in this leaflet (PDF, 2.13Mb). And don't share sex toys or douching equipment. Using latex/vinyl gloves for fingering or fisting offers protection. You can avoid getting shigella by washing hands after sex (buttocks, groin and genitals too, if you can by taking a shower), and changing condoms between anal and oral sex.
If you suspect you have shigella, you should visit your GP or sexual health clinic to get tested. It is spread very easily – all it takes is a tiny amount of infected poo (faeces) getting into your mouth.Ī person with shigella can be infectious for up to a month. It can be caught during sexual activity, including anal-oral sex ("rimming") and giving oral sex after anal sex. This is a bacterial infection of the intestine that causes severe diarrhoea and stomach cramps. It can be caught during sex with an infected person in the same way as gonorrhoea and NSU. There may be a discharge and pain when passing urine or pain in the testicles (although chlamydia can be symptom-free). This is a bacterial infection of the urethra, rectum or throat. It can be caught from an infected person and is treated using antibiotics. It's caught in the same way as gonorrhoea and often has similar symptoms.
This is an inflammation of the urethra that's caused by bacteria. This bacterial infection can cause stinging when urinating or the feeling that you want to urinate but can't. Speak to your GP or go to a sexual health clinic. If you think you’ve been exposed to or are at risk of hepatitis C, you should have a test. Speak to your GP or visit a sexual health clinic. If you have unprotected penetrative sex then you should ensure you have a check up. Trans men, trans women and non-binary people may also be at risk. “For some infections, you will not see any symptoms," says Williams. If you regularly have unprotected anal sex, you should have a check up at least every six months at a sexual health clinic. Screening for hepatitis C isn't routinely carried out, but if you think you're at risk or have been exposed, speak to your GP or visit a sexual health clinic. Treatments for Hepatitis C are very effective and have minimal side effects Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a treatable virus that affects the liver. Some, like syphilis, may even accelerate HIV's progression.Īccording to Gary Williams from Birmingham's Healthy Gay Life project, hepatitis C is also a risk, especially in those with HIV. Many STIs are more difficult to treat if you've got HIV. See the page for HIV and AIDS for LGBT people. There are more LGBTQ+people living with HIV than ever, so having sex without using a condom (internal or external) is extremely risky. If you are having penetrative vaginal or anal sex, using a condom or internal condom helps protect against HIV and cuts the risk of getting many other STIs. Having unprotected genital-genital penetrative sex or oral sex puts you at risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Printer friendly version (opens new window)