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You don't need to have a lot of sexual partners to get a sexually transmitted infection (STI) - almost anyone who is sexually active can get one if you have sex without using barrier contraceptive methods such as condoms. You can contract an STI even if you have only had unprotected sex once, with one person.

Common signs of an STI are:

· Unusual discharge of liquid from vagina or penis.

· Pain or burning when you urinate.

· Itching, rashes, lumps or blisters around the genitals.

· Pain or bleeding during or after sex.

However, symptoms vary and many STIs show none at all.

Most STIs can be completely cured if found early enough. If left untreated they can be painful and uncomfortable or at worst cause permanent damage to your health and your fertility.

The highest STI rates are seen in young people under the age of 25 (the most common student age group). And the North West has been identified as a region with particularly high infection rates. Sexually transmitted infections are very common. With statistics for infections such as Chlamydia and Syphilis rapidly rising every year. So, if you think that you may have an STI don't be embarrassed - you're not on your own. It is now believed that an estimated 1 in 10 young women are infected with Chlamydia. However, due to the infection often showing no symptoms, it can go undiagnosed and unnoticed for long periods of time, leading to possible infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease. It is for these reasons that it is vital for your own health and that of your sexual partners that you practice safe sex.

The following list contains details about infections that can be contracted or transmitted sexually.

Bacterial Vaginosis * Symptoms include: Runny, grey discharge, often worse after sex. Treatment = Antibiotics.

Chlamydia - Symptoms include: Unusual vaginal discharge, pain with sex and passing urine. Bleeding after sex and between periods, although often there are no symptoms. Treatment = Antibiotics

Genital warts - Symptoms include: Itching, inflammation, tenderness and visible warts. Treatment = some warts can be frozen off.

Gonorrhoea - Symptoms include: Unusual vaginal discharge, yellow/greenish, burning sensation when passing urine. Treatment = Antibiotics.

Hepatitis B & Hepatitis C - Symptoms include: Could have no symptoms. Flu-like, dark urine, pale bowel motions, loss of appetite, night sweats and whites of eyes may go yellow. Treatment = Very serious condition - treatment is guided by your doctor.

Herpes - Symptoms include: Blisters burst after 24 hours leaving small painful ulcers. Offensive smelling discharge. Soreness/irritation. Treatment = Medication cream

HIV * Symptoms: Test for infection 3-6 months after contact. Usually no symptoms. Treatment = Very serious for which there is no know cure-treatment is guided by your doctor.

Pubic Lice * Symptoms: \"Little creatures\" in your pubic hair. Treatment = Special lotions available from sexual health clinics and chemists.

Urethritis - Symptoms: Often there are no symptoms. Treatment = Antibiotics

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease - Symptoms include: Low abdominal pain, pain during sex, high temp and unusual vaginal discharge. Treatment = Antibiotics

Scabies - Symptoms include: Itching and rash. Treatment = Special lotions available from sexual health clinics and chemists.

Syphilis - Symptoms include: Red spots and ulcers, rash on the body, hair may fall out. Treatment = Antibiotics

Thrush - Symptoms include: Vulva and vaginal irritation, pain on passing urine, white vaginal discharge. Treatment = Anti-fungal treatment available from the chemist.

Trichomonas - Symptoms include: Vaginal discharge, soreness of vagina and vulva, pain when passing urine and uncomfortable sex. Treatment = Antibiotics

For more information relating to sexual health and STI's drop into the student union and speak to the Women's Officer or the Education and Welfare Officer.

For more detailed information go to the NHS Direct website - www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

If you believe that you may have come into contact with an STI then you must be tested or seek treatment before continuing any form of unprotected sex. Contact your GP, the campus medical centre or you can contact the local genitourinary medicine (or GUM) clinic at Ashton Community Centre on 01524 387402.

Alternatively you can contact any Brook Advisory Service (sexual health advisory service) through www.brook.org.uk

It is important is that you seek advice immediately to avoid long-term health risks to yourself and to reduce the risk of infecting other people.