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	Everything you need to know about STI's (Sexually Transmitted Infections)
What is a sexually transmitted infection? If one person has an infection, it can be passed to another person through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex. Infections spread in this way are known as Sexually transmitted Infections (STI). Anyone who has sex can get an STI. You do not need to have lots of sexual partners, and both men and women can get, and pass on, STI’s. Most STI’s are easily treatable, but treatment should be started as soon as possible. For some infections, such as HIV (the virus that causes AIDS), there is currently no known cure. If left untreated, many STI’s can be painful and uncomfortable, or at worst, cause permanent damage to your health or infertility. Some infections you may have heard of are: Chlamydia NSU (non-specific urethritis) Genital warts Herpes Gonorrhoea Pubic lice Trichomonas vaginalis Syphilis HIV Hepatitis B Signs/symptoms of STI’s Not everyone who has an STI has signs or symptoms. However, if you experience any of the following you should seek advice: Unusual discharge from the vagina Discharge from the penis Pain/burning when you pass urine Itches, rashes, lumps or blisters around the genitals or anus Pain and/or bleeding during sex Bleeding between periods Bleeding after sex Pains in the testicles or lower abdomen Where can you go for help? There are numerous places you can go for help and advice: Any NHS genitourinary clinic (GUM Clinic) Your GP or practice nurse A sexual health clinic A family planning clinic Dont worry! All services are completely confidential. If you have any concerns about who will see your medical records, talk to your GP or the staff at the clinic. GUM clinics in and around Hertfordshire NOTE: It is always best to telephone and check if you need an appointment first. Hertford: Hertford County Department of Sexual Health Clinic 5, North Road, Hertford. SG14 1LP Tel: 01707 373358 (direct line) Stevenage: Woodlands Clinic, Lister Hospital Corey’s mill Lane, Stevenage, SG1 4AB Tel: 01438 781121 (direct line) Luton : Luton & Dunstable Hospital GUM department Lewsey Road, Luton, LU4 0DZ Tel: 01582 497070 (direct line) St Albans: St Albans City Hospital GUM Department Waverley Wing, Waverley Road, St Albans AL3 5PN Tel: 01727 897332/3 (direct line) Watford: Watford Sexual Health centre Vicarage Road, Watford WD18 0HB Tel: 01923 217206 (direct line) Harlow: Department of sexual Health-Princess Alexandra Hospital Galen House, Fourth Avenue, Harlow CM20 1DW Tel: 01279 694727 Enfield: The Town Clinic Wenlock House, 33 Eaton Road, Enfield EN1 1NJ Tel: 020 8370 2550 North London: The North Middlesex Hospital HIV/AIDS Unit Coleridge Unit, T1 Tower Block, Sterling Way, London N18 1QX Tel: 020 8887 4236 You can clincs for the rest of the UK here UK Clinic Finder (Coutesy of Dr.Thom.com)

Everything you need to know about STI's (Sexually Transmitted Infections)

What is a sexually transmitted infection?

If one person has an infection, it can be passed to another person through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex. Infections spread in this way are known as Sexually transmitted Infections (STI). Anyone who has sex can get an STI. You do not need to have lots of sexual partners, and both men and women can get, and pass on, STI’s.

Most STI’s are easily treatable, but treatment should be started as soon as possible. For some infections, such as HIV (the virus that causes AIDS), there is currently no known cure.

If left untreated, many STI’s can be painful and uncomfortable, or at worst, cause permanent damage to your health or infertility.

Some infections you may have heard of are:

Chlamydia
NSU (non-specific urethritis)
Genital warts
Herpes
Gonorrhoea
Pubic lice
Trichomonas vaginalis
Syphilis
HIV
Hepatitis B

Signs/symptoms of STI’s

Not everyone who has an STI has signs or symptoms. However, if you experience any of the following you should seek advice:

Unusual discharge from the vagina
Discharge from the penis
Pain/burning when you pass urine
Itches, rashes, lumps or blisters around the genitals or anus
Pain and/or bleeding during sex
Bleeding between periods
Bleeding after sex
Pains in the testicles or lower abdomen

Where can you go for help?

There are numerous places you can go for help and advice:

Any NHS genitourinary clinic (GUM Clinic)
Your GP or practice nurse
A sexual health clinic
A family planning clinic

Dont worry!

All services are completely confidential. If you have any concerns about who will see your medical records, talk to your GP or the staff at the clinic.

GUM clinics in and around Hertfordshire

NOTE: It is always best to telephone and check if you need an appointment first.

Hertford: Hertford County Department of Sexual Health

Clinic 5, North Road, Hertford. SG14 1LP

Tel: 01707 373358 (direct line)

Stevenage: Woodlands Clinic, Lister Hospital

Corey’s mill Lane, Stevenage, SG1 4AB

Tel: 01438 781121 (direct line)

Luton : Luton & Dunstable Hospital GUM department

Lewsey Road, Luton, LU4 0DZ

Tel: 01582 497070 (direct line)

St Albans: St Albans City Hospital GUM Department

Waverley Wing, Waverley Road, St Albans AL3 5PN

Tel: 01727 897332/3 (direct line)

Watford: Watford Sexual Health centre

Vicarage Road, Watford WD18 0HB

Tel: 01923 217206 (direct line)

Harlow: Department of sexual Health-Princess Alexandra Hospital

Galen House, Fourth Avenue, Harlow CM20 1DW

Tel: 01279 694727

Enfield: The Town Clinic

Wenlock House, 33 Eaton Road, Enfield EN1 1NJ

Tel: 020 8370 2550

North London: The North Middlesex Hospital HIV/AIDS Unit

Coleridge Unit, T1 Tower Block, Sterling Way, London N18 1QX

Tel: 020 8887 4236

You can clincs for the rest of the UK here UK Clinic Finder (Coutesy of Dr.Thom.com)