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Written & Reviewed by Clinics Asia Healthcare Team | Learn more about our expert review process.
Overview
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common and can be passed on during sex or through sexual contact. They can usually be treated at a sexual health clinic.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) can include:
- an unusual discharge from your vagina, penis or anus
- pain when peeing
- lumps or skin growths around your genitals or bottom (anus)
- a rash
- unusual vaginal bleeding
- itchy genitals or anus
- blisters, sores or warts around your genitals or anus
- warts in your mouth or throat, but this is very rare
How soon symptoms appear depends on the type of STI you have.
Many STIs have no symptoms. This means you can have an STI without knowing it and infect your partner during sex.
The only way to know for sure is to get tested.
STIs can take up to 7 weeks after you have unprotected sex to show up on a test. If you do not have symptoms, it’s best to wait 7 weeks before getting tested.
Diagnosis
If you think you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI), the doctor or nurse at the sexual health clinic:
- will ask you about your sex life
- may ask to look at your genitals or anus
- will tell you what tests they think you need
These tests can include:
- testing a sample of your pee
- blood tests
- testing a sample of cells taken from the urethra (the tube that pee comes out of), using a small cotton bud (swab)
- testing a sample of cells from inside your vagina or anus using a small cotton bud (swab)
Some clinics offer home testing kits for some STIs.
If tests show you have an STI, you should tell your current sexual partner, or partners, and any ex-partners so they can get tested and treated as well.
If you do not want to do this, the clinic can usually do it for you without naming you.
Treatment Options
Most sexually transmitted infections (STIs) need treatment. The treatment you have will depend on which STI you have.
Many STIs are treated with antibiotics.
Always finish the course of treatment prescribed for you or it may not work properly.
Do not have sex (including oral sex) until you and your partner or partners have finished treatment.
Important:
If you need treatment, it’s important to tell your current and previous sexual partner (or partners). Sexual health clinics may be able to help you contact them anonymously.
When To See A Doctor
Go to a sexual health clinic if:
- you think you may have an STI
- a sexual partner has symptoms of an STI
- you're worried after having sex without a condom
- you're pregnant with symptoms of an STI
- you're having casual sex without a condom with new partners – you may be at risk of HIV and other STIs
Do not have sex, including oral sex, without using a condom until you've had a check-up or been tested.
Common types of sexually transmitted infection (STI)
There are different types of sexually transmitted infection (STI), including:
- chlamydia
- gonorrhoea
- trichomoniasis
- genital warts
- genital herpes
- pubic lice
- scabies
- syphilis
- human papillomavirus (HPV)
- HIV
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