Condoms, when used properly, are the most reliable way to protect against getting an infection. Some infections such as herpes and genital warts can be passed on by simple skin- to-skin contact so condoms do not fully protect against these infections. A condom should be put on before any genital contact is made to reduce the risk of getting an infection. Do not use oil-based lubricants because they weaken the condom and make it useless for protection. If your partner has a cold sore, having oral sex will also put you at risk of getting genital herpes. Also, using alcohol or drugs may lower your ability to make responsible decisions about your sexual behaviour.

In many cases there are no symptoms. However, if you are sexually active and develop any of the following problems you should go to a doctor immediately.

• Unusual vaginal discharge
• Pain when passing urine
• Sores or blisters in the genital area
• 
Itching or irritation in the genital area
• Pain during intercourse

Firstly it is important that you go to a clinic that can properly investigate your symptoms. If your doctor does not have the facilities to do tests s/he will refer you to either a public STI clinic – in Dublin these are based at St James Hospital or the Mater Hospital –  or to a private clinic such as Well Woman. You may also make an appointment in one of the Well Woman clinics without needing a referral from your GP. At the Dublin Well Woman Centre we would discuss your symptoms with you, take the appropriate tests, provide treatment if necessary and advise on future follow up.

There are facilities available throughout Ireland and addresses and contact details are listed on the thinkcontraception.ie website.

What infections are tested for?

There is a long list of infections that can be tested for: chlamydia, trichomonas, gardnerella, gonorrhea, herpes, HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis.

Genital warts are the most common infection. It cannot be tested for but is diagnosed when a person develops small lumps in the skin in the genital area. There are several different ways to treat genital warts including using a medicated cream or cryotherapy (freezing). If you have been diagnosed as having genital warts it is important that you get screened for other sexually transmitted infections because there is a risk that you may have picked up some other infection at the same time. Some types of wart virus can cause problems on your cervix so it is important that you attend for smear tests as advised by the Cervical Check national screening programme.

This is an infection that often has no symptoms. If it is not treated it is a major cause of pelvic inflammatory disease. This may result in pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancies and infertility. It is estimated that at least one in twenty young women have this infection. It is easily detected on either a urine or vaginal sample and the treatment is a very short course of antibiotics.

These are less common. Most men will have pain passing urine or a discharge from the penis if they have gonorrhea. Women often have no symptoms. The opposite is the case with trichomonas – most women will have a vaginal discharge and pain passing urine if they have trichomonas but men tend to have no symptoms. Gardnerella is not considered to be a sexually transmitted infection but it can cause symptoms in women similar to those mentioned above. All of these infections can be treated with a simple course of antibiotics.

There are two types of herpes virus.

Herpes type 1 is the virus that causes cold sores. This can be transmitted to the genital area during oral sex. The virus can be passed on even before the cold sore appears – in the “tingling” phase.

Herpes type 2 causes genital herpes. The first episode of a herpes infection may be very painful. Small painful sores and blisters develop often associated with a flu-like illness. Symptoms settle within a week.

The infection can recur particularly at times of stress. There is no cure but sometimes antiviral medication is prescribed to reduce the severity of an attack.

These are all viral infections. They can be transmitted during unprotected sex or other exchange of body fluids such as sharing needles. It may take up to three months after contact with an infected person for the viruses to be detectable in a blood sample. There may be no obvious symptoms for many months or even years. Sometimes a flu-like illness happens a few weeks after the initial exposure. Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) may cause jaundice. Anti viral medication is used to help suppress virus activity.

This is a bacterial infection that can be detected on a blood sample. 50% of infected people have no symptoms. There may be a painless sore in the mouth or genital area that heals by itself after about a month. This is followed by a generalised rash with flu-like symptoms that also resolves with no treatment. If undetected and untreated syphilis can cause damage to the heart, brain and other vital organs. Antibiotic treatment is very successful provided it is given in the early stages of the disease.

If you think that you are at risk – get tested. The sooner an infection is diagnosed and treated the greater the chance that you will avoid long-term problems.

A sample of cells is taken from the cervix, the neck of the womb, and checked in a laboratory to look for any not normal cells. Cell changes are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). This is a very common virus and most sexually active women will have been in contact with some of these viruses.

Explore some of facts around Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Ireland, their signs and symptoms (or lack thereof).

Please check out some of the links below for more resources and information:

IFPA

The Irish Family Planning Association provides a range of contraceptive and reproductive health services.

Sexual Health Centre

This Cork based organisation offers a variety of sexual health services including screening and educational talks.