Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)

During sexual contact infections can be passed from one person to another. These are known as sexually transmitted infections (or sexually transmitted diseases). Anyone who is having sex can get a sexually transmitted infection from an infected partner if they do not use any protection.
It is important to realise that:

  • Many sexually transmitted infections have no obvious symptoms of illness, so you could have an infection and not know it.
  • Sexually transmitted infections occur frequently in both men and women.
  • Many sexually transmitted infections are curable and all are preventable.
  • Delaying treatment could mean that the infection gets worse and other problems could occur.
  • A mother can pass on an untreated infection to her child during pregnancy and birth.
  • All sexually transmitted infections are helped by treatment. Many can be completed cured.

Most sexually transmitted diseases can be cured if they are diagnosed and treated in their early stages. There are many types of sexually transmitted infection the most common diseases are described below.

 

Some of these infections are very serious. For example, HIV is the virus which causes AIDS. Hepatitis B can cause liver problems such as cirrhosis (scarring) or liver cancer.

Syphilis can cause permanent damage to the heart, brain and nervous system if left untreated.

Other infections are occasionally, but not always, spread through sexual contact. These include thrush, bacterial vaginosis and cystitis.