STIs are on the rise at an alarming rate. Nearly half a million people in the UK were diagnosed with an STI in 2013, and some of most common infections are chlamydia, gonorrhea and herpes. STIs aren’t always easy to detect. For example, 50% of men and up to 80% of women will show no symptoms of chlamydia, while 10% of men and half of women with gonorrhea will experience no symptoms. Similarly, herpes is not always obvious, and it can sometimes take months or even years until you notice there is anything wrong. However, if you have an STI, there may be some indicators that can help you spot you are infected. To help you determine if you have an STI, or for information about chlamydia, gonorrhea or herpes symptoms, Lloyds Pharmacy and other trusted online sources will be able to answer your questions.
If you discover you have been infected, don’t panic. STIs are easy to treat, and in most cases, they are cured with a course of antibiotics.
There’s no denying that the thought of catching an STI is horrifying, so if you’re keen to keep these nasties at bay, it’s important to be sensible when it comes to sex. Condoms are the only form of contraception that can prevent you from catching an STI and getting pregnant, so be sure to take the correct precautions before you jump head first into some Halloween fun this October. As this infographic from Lloyds Pharmacy points out, it’s not always obvious what’s behind the mask...
*This is a collaboration with Lloyds Pharmacy
