Sexual health related infections are genital and urinary tract infections spread though close physical contact with an infected person. Unprotected sex is therefore the most common way of passing on the infections. For an image of a female with syphilis infection, please click this link. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) include the following:
- chlamydia,
- gonorrhoea,
- HIV and AIDS,
- hepatitis,
- genital herpes,
- syphilis, and
- trichomonas vaginalis (TV).
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium chlamydia trachomatis. These bacteria can live in the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body), the rectum, throat and eyes. In women the bacteria can also infect the cervix (the opening to the womb).
You can therefore catch chlamydia and some other sexually transmitted infections through any form of unprotected sex – oral, vaginal, or anal. It can also be spread by touching infected areas with the fingers – for example, touching the genitals and then the eyes. However, you cannot catch it from sharing facilities such as toilets or swimming pools.
Chlamydia can also pass from a mother to baby during childbirth. This may result in eye or lung infection
Sometimes, genitals and urinary tract infections are not necessary sexually transmitted infections because they cab be caused by other things. Thrush, bacterial vaginosis, and genital warts are examples of infections that are not necessary sexually transmitted infections or are transmitted in ways other than unprotected sex. Women can also get infections by forgetting to remove tampons.
Thrush is a common infection in women that happens when the naturally occurring fungus, candida albicans, grows excessively. This may be caused by pregnancy, menstruation, diabetes, taking the pill, wearing tight underwear and taking antibiotics. It can sometimes develop following sex with an infected person, but this is uncommon.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common cause of vaginal discharge. If it isn’t treated, it can cause miscarriage, premature labour and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). It isn’t clear if BV is caused by unprotected sex, but it may be linked to having a lot of sexual partners. It can also be triggered by the IUD contraceptive (previously called the coil).
Genital warts are small, round lumps on and around the genitals. They are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), which is passed by close skin-to-skin contact.
Scabies is a skin infection that is passed on through close physical contact with an infected person. This may be through sex, but occasionally it can also be passed on through towels and bedding.
Non-specific urethritis is an infection of the urethra (the tube where urine comes out) that only affects men. It’s usually caused by having sex with a partner who already has an STI. However, it is also caused by other genital or urinary tract infections, damage to the urethra through vigorous sex or masturbation, or urine and bladder infections (although bladder infections are rare in young men).
Cystitis is a common bladder infection in women. Infection enters the urinary tubes as a result of poor hygiene or sex. Stress, bad diet, dehydration, oral contraceptives and antibiotics can also trigger it.
Remember that anyone who has sex, including oral sex and anal sex, or close genital-to-genital contact with an infected person, can catch an STI.
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