Sexual Health Screening

Between half and three-quarters of all women who have a chlamydia infection have no symptoms and do not know that they are infected. In men, infection of the urethra is usually symptomatic, causing a white discharge from the penis with or without pain on urinating.

• The usual symptoms in men are burning with urination and penile discharge in men. Women, on the other hand, are asymptomatic half the time or have vaginal discharge and pelvic pain. In both men and women, if gonorrhea is left untreated, it may spread locally, causing epididymitis or pelvic Inflammatory disease or throughout the body, affecting joints and heart valves.
• We are seeing antibiotic resistance in newer strains of gonorrhea which necessitates taking swabs from the patient to ensure the most suitable antibiotic is prescribed.

• Many people infected with this virus never have symptoms, but can still pass on the infection to others. If symptoms occur, they can range from a mild soreness to painful blisters on the genitals and surrounding area.

• Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). The primary route of transmission is by oral, vaginal, and anal sex.
• It may also be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy or at birth, resulting in congenital syphilis.
• The proper use of a condom reduces the transmission of syphilis, however does not completely eliminate the risk.

• To reduce your risk of HIV infection, use condoms correctly every time you have vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Don’t inject drugs. If you do, use only clean needles and equipment and don’t share your equipment with others.
• Treatment with HIV medicines helps people with HIV live longer, healthier lives. Although these can reduce the risk of HIV transmission, it’s still important to use condoms during sex.
• Instant HIV testing now available. (The result is obtained in the practice instantly but would still need to be done three months post exposure to be confident of a negative result).
• If there is a confirmed exposure to HIV, PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) can be given within 72 hours of exposure by attending the local GUM clinic or Emergency Dept.

Hepatitis C is a liver infection which is usually transmitted by:

• Sharing/using unsterilized needles for injecting drugs
• From mother to baby
• Sexual contact.
• It can be diagnosed by a blood test and can be treated with a long course of medication
• If left untreated it can cause ‘cirrhosis’ of the liver, liver failure and, in some cases, can lead to liver cancer

Long-term complications can include liver failure and cirrhosis of the liver, increased risk of miscarriage or premature labour.

• This is a viral infection caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus.
• They generally appear as pearly smooth fluid-filled bumps on your skin and are most common in the genital area, the inner thighs and the lower abdomen. Treatment involves Cryosurgery to the lumps (freeze treatment)
• Sexual contact.
• Using condoms can offer some protection but is not 100% effective.

• They are tiny insects, like head lice, that live in pubic or body hair causing intense itching in the genital area.
• Pubic lice can be treated with creams and lotions – for you and your partner(s).
• You can buy these at a chemist, however, you should also have a full STD/STI check.

• A parasitic infection which can be passed on to your sexual partner.
• The symptoms vary between men and women.

Female symptoms:

• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Vaginal discomfort
• Burning or stinging sensation when you pass urine
• Offensive smell

Male symptoms:

• Discharge from penis
• Rash on the penis
• Rarely, burning or stinging sensation when you pass urine

Treatment is with Antibiotics – for you and your partner. The best prevention is by condoms.