What are STIs?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are among the most common infections in the UK. If they are diagnosed early, some STIs can be cured and others can be treated to improve the symptoms.How are STIs passed on?
STIs are passed from one person to another through body fluids, such as blood, vaginal fluid, semen, saliva and breast milk.
Most people think that you can only get an STI through sexual intercourse. But as STIs can be present in so many types of body fluids, it is possible to get an STI through other types of skin-to-skin contact too. So it is a really good idea to be tested regularly for STIs if you are sexually active in any way.
Are there cures for STIs?
If you think you might have an STI, don't panic - many of them are easily cured with antibiotics.
There are two main types of STIs: bacterial and viral.
Bacterial STIs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea, can usually be cured by taking a course of antibiotics.
There is still no cure for viral STIs, such as herpes, genital warts, hepatitis and HIV. However, there are treatments available for viral STIs that will help the symptoms and reduce the risk of further transmission.
If STIs are not treated, they can lead to more serious health conditions. Some, such as chlamydia, can stop you from being able to have children, while syphilis, for example, can damage your heart and brain. You can avoid problems such as these by having infections diagnosed and treated quickly.
What are the most common STIs?
These are the most common STIs. Click on any of them to find out what the symptoms are and about testing and treatment.