The incidence of STIs is on the increase in the UK: in 2017, over 400,000 people were diagnosed with STIs. Countless more go undiagnosed, as stigma often prevents many from getting tested and receiving their diagnosis.

This is a big issue, because if you fail to get diagnosed this means you will not be able to receive the treatment you need. If left untreated, all STIs can have serious, even fatal, consequences. Furthermore, if you are unknowingly suffering from an STI you are putting others at risk, as you may infect your sexual partners at any time.

That is why it is critically important to look after your sexual health, and know the symptoms of STIs so you can be vigilant with their diagnosis and treatment. Let’s take a look at the most common STIs in the UK, their symptoms and how they are treated.

Chlamydia

Of the STIs diagnosed in the UK each year, by far the most common is chlamydia. This STI is asymptomatic in around 50% of men and 75% of women, meaning you may have it for some time without showing any symptoms. However, during this time you may still pass the disease on to your sexual partners, and it can have serious long-term health effects regardless, most notably causing infertility and potentially fatal tubular pregnancy in women.

For those who show symptoms, these commonly include discharge for the genitals, or pain or burning when urinating. Because this is a bacterial infection, Chlamydia can be easily treated with antibiotics. It is important to note that you should have a follow up test three months after treatment to ensure that the infection is completely gone.

Gonorrhoea

Probably the second-most common STI in both men and women, Gonorrhoea is also a bacterial STI. It has similar symptoms to Chlamydia (discharge or pain or burning while urinating) and it is not unusual for patients to contract both conditions at the same time. Only 20% of women show symptoms when they have this STI, although the majority of men do show symptoms.

Again, this STI can be easily treated with a course of targeted antibiotics. However, leaving gonorrhoea untreated can lead to serious complications. In women, untreated gonorrhoea can affect the uterus and fallopian tubes, which can cause PID (pelvic inflammatory disease), causing scarring of the fallopian tubes and leading to the risk of infertility or complications during pregnancy. This STI can also cause infertility in men if left untreated, as well as the infection spreading to other parts of the body such as the joints, and an increased risk of contracting HIV/AIDS.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a relatively common STI which moves through four stages. In the initial stage, the infection manifests in a simple sore which may look like a cut or a small bump. If the disease progresses to the second stage, a rash appears, followed by sores in the mouth and genitals. The third stage is generally asymptomatic, and only a minority of patients progress to the last stage. However, those who reach the fourth and final stage of this STI suffer organ and nerve damage which can be very serious.

Syphilis is also treated with antibiotics, however, it is much easier to treat when caught early. In the earlier stages of Syphilis, a simple course of antibiotics will quickly clear up the infection. If left until the later stages, more courses of antibiotics will be required and they will take longer to take effect.

HIV/AIDs

HIV is not really a common STI: in the UK, just over 100,000 people or 0.17% of the adult population is living with HIV. However, this is a severe and life-threatening condition and so should be well understood and should not be overlooked. Additionally, other countries of the world (particularly developing countries) have much higher rates of HIV so this should be kept in mind by anyone who travels overseas.

HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus which attacks the immune system, damaging the body’s ability to fight infections. This infection can then lead to AIDS, which is an active immunodeficiency condition which occurs when the HIV virus has caused serious damage to the immune system, but not all cases of HIV progress to AIDS. Initial symptoms of HIV can be similar to the flu – muscle aches, fatigue, slight fever or diarrhoea.  Although there is no cure for HIV, modern medicine has developed powerful drugs which can help most patients manage their infection.

What Should I Do if I Think I Have an STD?

If you are showing any of the above symptoms, or if you otherwise think you may be suffering from an STI, you should arrange to be tested immediately. It is easy to arrange for a confidential screening at a service such as Better 2 Know Manchester. Even if you do not have any symptoms, it is a good idea to having routine STI testing so that you ensure you are taking proper care of your sexual health. Prevention is also important – for this reason you should always practice safe sex, using a condom and other contraceptive methods every time you have sex.