Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are passed predominantly by unprotected sexual contacts. Pregnancy, breast-feeding or contact with infected blood may also represent routes of transmission.
In the UK, the most commonly diagnosed STIs in 2021, were:
- chlamydia (51.2%)
- gonorrhoea (16.4%)
- first episode genital warts (9.1%)
- first episode genital herpes (7.0%).
(Information provided by Official Statistics, October 2022, at gov.uk)
Use a condom every time you have sex, and seek medical help immediately whenever you identify possible signs or symptoms. Some of STIs may not manifest any symptoms in the early stages. That’s why periodic screening is so important.
They are diseases that can severely affect the quality of life and when untreated, can lead to other serious health problems.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are very common. Every year, approximately 374 million new STD infections occur worldwide. Many of them can be cured. But some, like HIV, require a treatment for life.
Be especially careful in the festive periods that lie ahead. The wrong decision could bring you serious consequences. Remember, anyone can get and pass on STIs!
At the Oval Medical Centre, we offer a completely confidential STI screening service where you can ask for advice, speak to one of our clinicians, or arrange for a quick STI test.
We offer a number of sexual health screening tests including:
- HIV
- Hepatitis B
- Syphilis
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhoea
- Herpes
- HPV
- Bacterial infections