STI

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are infections you can get by engaging in sexual contact, including sexual touching or penetrative sex. They are passed on via bodily fluids and skin-to-skin contact. In order to get an STI, the person you are having sex with must already have an STI - but remember: they might not know they have one.

 

Sexually Transmitted Infections can be categorised into three different types: viruses, bacteria and parasites.

• Viruses cannot be completely cured but they can usually be managed (by taking antiviral medication, for example).
• Bacterial infections can be treated and cured with antibiotics.
• Parasitical infections can be treated and cured with insecticide lotions.

You can find out more about Sexually Transmitted infections here 

If you think you have symptoms of an STI, think you've had sexual contact with somebody with an STI, or it’s just been a while since you were last tested, here’s your to-do list:

• Get tested. Testing is the only way to know if you have an STI. Some STIs have similar symptoms, some can have symptoms that look like other things, and often they have no symptoms at all. It's important to know that testing is quick, easy, and painless.
• Avoid sexual contact until you've been tested and received your test results.

You can make an appointment for a test by calling 01744 646473, or you can walk in without an appointment.

We recommend testing whenever you change sexual partner. Knowing when to test is important because testing too early after sexual contact can mean you may miss an infection. Some infections do not show up immediately after sex so you may need to wait to get accurate test results.

We advise waiting:

• 2 weeks for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea
• 45 days for HIV
• 12 weeks for Syphilis

 

If you think you have symptoms of an infection, contact us for a telephone appointment or walk in to clinic without an appointment.

 

Symptoms can vary but may include:

• An unusual discharge
• Pain during sex
• Pelvic or testicular pain
• Pain passing urine
• Bleeding after sex or in between periods
• Skin rashes, sores (ulcers), lumps or bumps

Testing is easy. Order your FREE home testing kit here or walk into clinic Monday to Friday 9:00a.m. to 4:30a.m. 

Depending on any symptoms and the type of sex you've had, we may ask for a urine sample, a blood sample, a vaginal, oral or anal swab.

It's important to remember that you are in control of the situation, and only samples that you consent to give will be taken.

Please make sure you are hydrated (had plenty of water to drink) and have eaten before your appointment, just in case we need to take a blood sample.

 

Below are some of the infections we might test you for. Click on a link for more information about the infection, how it is diagnosed and treated.  These links go to either the NHS website or the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) website.

• Chlamydia (pdf)
• Gonorrhoea (pdf)
• Trichomonas (pdf)
• Genital herpes – Herpes simplex virus (pdf)
• Bacterial Vaginosis (pdf)
• Thrush (candida)
• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
• Non-Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU) (pdf)
• Lymphogranuloma Venereum, or LGV
• HIV
• Syphilis (pdf)
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C

There are also STIs which cannot be ‘tested for’, but that we can diagnose by examining you:

• Genital Warts (pdf)
• Molluscum (pdf)
• Pubic Lice
• Scabies (pdf)

No. They are taken using a small cotton bud - this might be a bit uncomfortable, but not painful.

Having a fear of needles is quite common and there are some simple things that you can do to help overcome it:

• Chat: let the person who is giving you the injection know if you have concerns – there is nothing to be embarrassed about. They can help you to relax and distract you with conversation.
• Relax: this will release tension in your muscles. Tense muscles may make injections more painful.
• Breathe: deep, steady breathing can help you relax and give you something to focus on.
• Distract: don’t look at the needle if it scares you. Bring a book or a magazine or look at favourite photos/videos on your phone.
• Count: count slowly – this will help to distract you and, chances are, by the time you reach 10 the injection will be over.

 

If your fear is preventing you from having a blood test, speak to the nurse or doctor.

You will receive a text message from us when your results are back. Results may take up to two weeks to be returned so please wait at least two weeks after your appointment or after sending your self-test kit sample back before contacting us.

 

Please make sure you tell us if you have changed your mobile number when you attend - we will also ask you to confirm your details when you attend - as we rely on this to get in touch with you.

Finding out you have a sexually transmitted infection (and that you may have passed it to other people) is not anyone’s idea of fun. But try to remember that a lot of people have been through this. STIs are very common, and most of us will get at least one over the course of our lives. Take a breath, you can handle this.

• If an infection is found, you may need to come back to the clinic for treatment. When you return to the clinic, clear instructions will be given to you about which treatment you need and how to take it.
• All treatments you will be given are free. We do not charge for hospital prescriptions.
• The team at the clinic will tell you what you should and shouldn't do.
• Make sure whomever you have had sexual contact with is checked out and cleared of infection before having sex with you or anyone else. If you don't want to tell them they may have an infection the clinic staff will do it for you (called 'contact tracing'). They will contact people you have had sexual contact with over a period of time but none of your details will be passed on. Nobody will ever know it was you because this is an anonymous service.
• Avoid sex until the STI has been treated and has gone away. You will be advised on when to be re-tested after treatment. Always use a condom every time you have sex.

To effectively prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), it is crucial to consistently and correctly use condoms during all forms of penetrative sexual activity (vaginal, anal, and oral).

Things that can help reduce the chance of getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI):

• Use condoms for vaginal, anal, and oral sex to create a barrier against infections passed on through fluids or skin-to-skin contact. You can order free condoms if you live in St Helens here.

• Regular testing is essential, especially with new partners, as many STIs can be asymptomatic (show no symptoms). You can walk into clinic Monday to Friday 9:00-4:30 or visit our online testing page.
• Have open discussions about sexual history and testing results with your partners before engaging in sexual activity.
• Limiting the number of sexual partners can significantly decrease the risk of exposure to STIs.
• Think about whether you could benefit from vaccines. You can find out more about vaccines on this page.
• Preventative Medication: Consider PrEP for HIV prevention or Doxy-PEP (an antibiotic). These medications can be used within 72 hours after potential exposure to syphilis, chlamydia, or gonorrhoea.

Things to think about

• Skin-to-Skin Contact: Keep in mind that condoms provide limited protection against STIs transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, such as herpes and genital warts (HPV).
• Utilise dental dams for oral sex involving female genitals or the anus.
• Be mindful that drugs and alcohol can impair judgment, potentially leading to less safe sexual practices. If you need any support with reducing the amount of drugs or alcohol you are consuming, visit GCL.
• Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP): Emergency medication is available for those who may have been exposed to HIV, this is available up to 72 hours after a HIV exposure. PEP is not always necessary and you will be assessed for your risk. You can access PEP from St Helens Seuxal Health service or from A & E.

What vaccines are available?

Vaccines

You may qualify for vaccines that protect against specific sexually transmitted infections. Please note that we do not offer travel vaccines through our services. Typically, we will discuss these during your visit, but don’t hesitate to ask your clinician if you have any questions or wish to learn more about obtaining your vaccines from us.

All of these vaccines are safe and effective methods for safeguarding yourself against infections. While you may have already received some doses, additional doses may be necessary for complete protection.

Who do we vaccinate?

• Gay men, bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM)
• Anyone living with HIV
• Sex workers
• People who do not sit in the categories above may still be offered a vaccine. If you are eligible, your sexual health nurse or doctor will discuss this with you.

Available Vaccines

• Hepatitis A: This virus can cause severe inflammation of the liver, although the illness is typically short-lived. Hepatitis A can be transmitted through oral/anal sexual contact, as it spreads via infected faeces. If you have travelled to areas with poor sanitation, you may have already received Hepatitis A vaccinations, which usually consists of two doses within a year.
• Hepatitis B: is a blood-borne virus. It can lead to liver inflammation, lasting years, and may result in severe illness or death. It spreads through genital fluids or blood, hence it can be contracted via unprotected sex or sharing injecting equipment. You may have started Hepatitis B vaccinations for work or travel.
• HPV (Human Papilloma Virus): Currently, the HPV vaccination is available from our clinic for men who have sex with men aged under 46 years. A national program to vaccinate secondary school children has been in place since 2008, usually administered through school nurses. We do not provide catch-up vaccinations for those who missed it, we recommend contacting your GP. HPV is common and easily transmitted through genital contact, often without symptoms. There are over 100 subtypes, some of which cause genital warts while others can lead to cancers of the anus, penis, and throat. The HPV vaccine protects against the most common cancer- and wart-causing types
• Mpox (formerly monkeypox): The smallpox (Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA)) vaccination is offered to individuals who are at the highest risk to protect against mpox. Since mpox is caused by a virus similar to smallpox, vaccines for smallpox are expected to prevent or lessen the severity of Mpox infections. After vaccination, your immune system produces antibodies against the smallpox virus, which should also provide protection against the mpox virus
• Gonorrhoea Vaccine: The MenB vaccine for gonorrhoea helps protect against bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is spread through unprotected sex. You may be offered the MenB vaccine if you are a man who has sex with men and meet specific criteria, such as currently having or recently having had gonorrhoea or another bacterial STI (like chlamydia or syphilis) or having had multiple sexual partners in the last three months. It may also be available to others at increased risk, such as sex workers or people having regular unprotected sex. A sexual health professional will determine your eligibility for the vaccine.