Related Articles
Flatting? Try these easy recipes!»Read More
Lose those love handles!
»Read More
Cardio just not cutting it?
»Read More
Is it being vegetarian actually better for you?
»Read More
Healthy lamb kebabs
»Read More
Love it, Win it!
 |
WIN Impulse Love PacksEnter Now |
|---|
 |
WIN a double pass to My Week With Marilyn!Enter Now |
|---|
Common STIs
STI stands for Sexually Transmitted Infections. When you have unprotected sex your chances of catching a STI are seriously increased. Here are some of the most common STI’s, their symptoms and how they can affect you - is it really worth the risk?
Chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. Most of the time you can’t tell if someone has Chlamydia, although symptoms can include genital irritation, vaginal discharge, lower abdominal pain and a burning sensation when peeing. It can also affect your reproductive system, rectum, throat and eyes.
Syphilis causes different symptoms depending on what stage it’s at, but trust me - no stage is a good stage. At its worst, Syphilis can cause damage to the heart and brain. If you really want to scare yourself (or anyone else), off having unprotected sex, google Syphilis images. You’ll be running for the condoms in no time.
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection that can develop in the mouth, throat, eyes and #### - as well as the vagina, cervix, fallopian tubes and urethra. Many women who are infected show no obvious symptoms, although unusual vaginal discharge, pain when weeing or bleeding between periods are all symptoms of Gonorrhoea.
Genital warts are nasty looking things. They are what they sound like and not only do they grow in and around your vagina you can get them on your mouth and in and around the #### too. They’re caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Genital herpes is caused by HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus). There are two strains of the virus - both can infect the genital or #### area, fingers or show up as cold sores around your mouth and nose. Once you’re infected with HSV it never completely goes away. It can cause painful blisters that turn into sores when the blisters burst.
AIDS is caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), a virus that attacks your immune system. You can be HIV positive and not know it. You can only be infected with HIV when infected blood (including menstrual blood), semen, vaginal fluid or breast milk gets into your body. If AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) develops there’s a high likelihood you’ll die from it, as your body can basically no longer protect itself from diseases. At present there is NO cure for HIV/AIDS.
Did you know? You can test clear for up to three months after you get HIV, but can still pass it on during that time.
For more info about STIs and where to get tested check out:
Hubba.co.nz
Familyplanning.org.nz
Staysafe.co.nz
Find out what Lady Gaga has to say about safe sex! Plus, check out our article about how to avoid STIs here.
Article by Sarah Illingworth. Who is Sarah? Find out here and meet the rest of the 24/7 Girl team too. And don’t forget to check out Sarah’s blog here!
 |
Sad that lots of teenagers these days that are already having sex know nothing about these. this would really help them I think. You’ve always gotta remember to put your health first. Posted by MelissaW "on" 05/24 "at"06:03 PM |
 |
Thank you, it is handy to be kept up to date with these, as unfortunately they are everywhere adn we cant always be safe. Posted by tkennard "on" 08/09 "at"02:14 PM |
Best of the rest
