key points

Sexually Transmitted Infections.

'Ignoring the risks doesnae make them go away'

It is very important to get checked out if you think you might have an STI. Not all STI’s have symptoms and some STIs left untreated can seriously damage our health and you may not be able to have children in the future.

Help and advice about STIs can be found at Sexual Health Clinics, your doctor’s surgery or from a genito-urinary medicine clinic (GUM). Treatment is free and confidential. It can be embarrassing and difficult to talk about STIs and sex in general, but the more open and honest you are the healthier you will be. The staff are professional and deal with this stuff every day, so there is no need to worry and remember you have the rights to confidentiality

Key points to remember:

• The only real safe sex is no sex - abstinence!
• One in three sexually active people get an STI at some stage in their life
• Using a condom during sex is the best way of protecting yourself from STI’s
• People often carry STIs without knowing it, ie. there may be NO SYMPTOMS!
• Sometimes symptoms include spots, warts, itching, bleeding and soreness
• If there's even a small risk you have an STI, get tested!
• Dumfries and Galloway’s Sexual Health services offer a non-judgmental and confidential service
• If you suspect you may have a STI it is important to be tested.
• They can have long term effects on your health and you can continue to spread the infection.
• It's important and only fair that you tell your partner and even ex-partners if you feel that are at risk
• Remember the best protection against STI’s is to practice safer sex which means using a condom when you have sex. Condoms are freely available in Dumfries & Galloway through Sexual Health Clinics