STI information



	Looking after the holistic health of men who have sex with men.

HIV: HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

AIDS: AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

Hep A: Hepatitis A is a virus which can affect the liver. It can easily be passed on through rimming, scat and possibly during anal sex and watersports.
Symptoms: Hep A can cause fever, nausea, exhaustion, weight loss and a distaste of fatty foods, tobacco and alcohol.
Treatment: Hep A is easily preventable through a short course of injections, available free from a GUM clinic or a GP.

Hep B: Hepatitis B can affect the liver. It is a potentially fatal virus that is much easier to contract than other forms of hepatitis. It can be passed on through unprotected anal sex, oral sex and very occasionally, kissing.
Symptoms: Many people with Hep B have no symptoms. However, Hep B can cause tiredness, yellowing of the skin and eyes, loss of appetite, stomach pains, darkened piss and pale shit.
Treatment: Hep B is also easily preventable through a short course of injections available free from a GUM clinic or a GP

Gonorrhoea: This is a bacterial infection which can affect your urethra, arse, mouth and throat. It is passed on through anal sex and oral sex.
Symptoms: Pain when pissing or shitting are typical symptoms. A small amount of white or yellow discharge from the cock is characteristic of urethral infections. Infection of the throat will rarely show any symptoms.
Treatment: Gonorrhoea is easily treated with antibiotics.

Crabs: Crabs live in coarse body hair and they are passed on by intimate body contact - direct contact is probably required.
Symptoms: The ones you might notice include itching around the pubic hair, minute specks of blood on the surface of the skin, the tiny insects themselves or their eggs (small white dots fixed to the hair).
Treatment: Crabs are easily treated with a lotion which should be applied to all coarse hair bearing areas below the neck. It is left on for a few hours and then washed off. There is no need to shave the infected areas. If you are in a regular partnership, your man needs treatment too.

Scabies: Scabies is a very common skin mite infection. It is spread extremely easily from one person to another, close direct contact is probably required. The incubation period can be very prolonged - over many months in fact.
Symptoms: Symptoms include an intense itch which is worse at night or after bathing. On the genital area, it may cause quite large lumps. sort of like 'heat spots'. If you're HIV positive, you may be prone to a more severe form of the condition.
Treatment: The treatment for scabies is with lotions - leave on for the time required and if you need to wash your hands, reapply after washing. Be careful to apply the lotion in all the crevices of the body such as the fingerwebs and soles of the feet. All family members and anyone whom you have been in close contact with should also be treated.
Urethritis: Urethritis means inflammation of the Urethra ('water passage'). It can be caused by a number of different germs, including gonorrhoea, chlamydia, unreaplasma and a number of other bacteria, including those found naturally in the throat and anal areas. Although chlamydia is a very common cause of NGU (non-gonococcal urethritis) in straight men, it is less common in gay men.
Symptoms: About a third of men with NGU have no symptoms. If you do have symptoms, you're likely to notice minor Sexually Transmitted Infections Herpes: Genital herpes is caused by infection with a virus called Herpes Simplex (HSV). There are two strains HSV-1 and HSV-2, both of which can cause genital herpes and cold sores in the mouth area. Infection with the virus does not always result in symptoms, but if it does, these usually consist of tiny blisters and sore areas on the skin surface. Four out of five adults carry HSV-1 and about one in five carries HSV-2
Symptoms: In most people, symptoms are mild or nonexistent. If symptoms do occur, they typically include itching/burning/tingling of the skin, followed by redness and small blisters which break open to form little sores. The first outbreak can last two or three weeks and often feels like flu, with muscle aches, headaches, swollen glands and burning on passing urine. If you get your first episode of herpes in anal/rectal area, this can cause quite severe discomfort, diarrhoea and an anal discharge. Herpes is transmitted through direct contact, including genital to genital, mouth to mouth, mouth to genital and gential to mouth contact. Herpes is most infectious during outbreaks, from the first signs until the skin has completely healed.
Treatment: During an outbreak keep the affected area as cool and dry as possible. Bathe the affected area in tepid salty water or take a cool shower. If it is practical, leave the sores exposed to dry out. If you have sores around the anus, make sure you keep your stools soft by either taking plenty of dietary fibre and fluids, or use a stool softener such as lactose, protect the area using a little vaseline before going to the toilet - and wash afterwards. Although there is no drug available to kill the virus outright, acyclovir is a prescription drug which is used in two situations; it helps greatly in shortening first outbreaks and secondly, it may also be taken daily by a very small group of people who experience frequent, prolonged or severe recurrences. Acyclovir cream is much less effective, but like any cool substance, it feels soothing.

Genital Warts: Genital wart virus infection (also known as Human Papilloma Virus or HPV) commonly infects the genital skin. In most people, it never causes any symptoms, but in a proportion of people it will cause the development of visible warts, similar in appearance to those on other parts of the body. The virus is passed on from one person to another by direct skin-to-skin contact, including non-penetrative sexual activities. As most people carrying HPV have no symptoms, this means it can be easily transmitted without either partner realising it.
Symptoms: You can't usually tell if you have the viral infection because the virus is so often present without causing any identifiable warts. At the moment, there is no easy, routine way to detect the virus, although a number of specialised and painstaking techniques have been developed for research purposes. If warts appear, they are usually easy to feel and appear as small, soft, fleshy lumps which are often multiple. They are totally painless. The diagnosis can be easily confirmed by a doctor on examination.
Treatment: Visible warts are treated with a range of therapies. Sexual health specialists are able to offer treatment best suited to the type, size and location of the warts. This includes the application of topical solutions, freezing and various other (painless!) methods. It is often necessary to repeat the treatment on one or more occasions. This is partly because the virus is active in the initial stage of infection and new warts may continue to appear, until your body's immune system begins to supress the virus. Unfortunately there is as yet no treatment which will kill the HPV outright. With time your body's immune system will suppress the virus, but probably never eliminate it.

As with all sexually transmitted diseases we recommend you visit your local GUM clinic for regular check-ups and diagnoses. In Edinburgh phone 0131-536 2103 for an appointment.

stinging or burning on passing urine and/or a clear or yellowish discharge from the urethra.
The Test: For urethritis this involves passing a very fine cotton- tipped swab over the lining of the urethra. The test has a higher pick-up rate if you have not passed urine in the prceeding four hours. The doctor can diagnose urethritis immediately by looking at the specimen under a microscope and additional tests are carried out in the laboratory.

Proctitis: This means inflammation of the rectum. It is caused by the same germs which cause urethritis - with the addition of herpes simplex and various parasite such as amoebae. Also any substances including chemicals can be irritating the anal lining. The germs for proctitis and urethritis live in the body's cells and surrounding fluids and need close contact for transmission to occur. This includes oral, anal and genital contact; the risk may extend to fingering and sharing of sex toys. You can't catch either of these infections from towels, toilet seats or ordinary social contact - no matter how friendly!
Symptoms: These can be very mild or totally absent, especially if you have had the problem for a long time. Symptoms to look out for are diarrhoea, mucus streaking of shit, anal pain and a sensation of needing to go to the toilet again shortly after your last visit.
The Test: for proctitis involves the doctor gently looking at the appearance of the anal lining through a small instrument call a proctoscope. This is the best way to diagnose proctitis, but if you prefer you may simply have some swabs taken from the entrance to the anus - these can screen for gonorrhoea and chlamydia.
Treatment: depends very much on the cause - and it's usually best if both you and your partner have treatment together. Usually this means a short course of antibiotics - take the complete course, even after the symptoms disappear. Until you and your partner have both been back up for a check-ups to confirm that the problem has been cleared, be sure that you're having the right kind of low risk sex.

Syphilis: is much less common in the UK nowadays than it used to be, gay men should still be aware of this infection and it's potential to spread easily from one person to another. It is transmitted sexually, although this need not always be genital or anal sexual contact. It cannot be caught from towels, crockery or other similar means, as the germ is fragile and can't live outside the body.
Symptoms: Only a minority of people notice any symptoms (about a third). Most people become aware of the fact that they're infected when they have a routine syphilis blood test. If symptoms do appear, they include a painless genital ulcer or a skin rash on the body. Serious complications can occur many years later, but only if undiagnosed and untreated. The incubation period can range from 9-30 days, so if you think you have been at risk - have a final blood check three months after any possible exposure to the infection.
Treatment: Syphilis is easily treated with a course of penicillin - probably best given by injection, although there are alternatives available if you don't like injections or are allergic to penicillin. It is important to ensure that the infection has been adequately treated: this can only be done by having regular blood tests after treatment. Following successful treatment for syphilis, one of the specific blood tests will remain positive, this indicates past infection.

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GMH 2002

HIV: HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. AIDS: AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Hep A: Hepatitis A is a virus which can affect the liver. It can easily be passed on through rimming, scat and possibly during anal sex and watersports. Symptoms: Hep A can cause fever, nausea, exhaustion, weight loss and a distaste of fatty foods, tobacco and alcohol. Treatment: Hep A is easily preventable through a short course of injections, available free from a GUM clinic or a GP. Hep B: Hepatitis B can affect the liver. It is a potentially fatal virus that is much easier to contract than other forms of hepatitis. It can be passed on through unprotected anal sex, oral sex and very occasionally, kissing. Symptoms: Many people with Hep B have no symptoms. However, Hep B can cause tiredness, yellowing of the skin and eyes, loss of appetite, stomach pains, darkened piss and pale shit. Treatment: Hep B is also easily preventable through a short course of injections available free from a GUM clinic or a GP Gonorrhoea: This is a bacterial infection which can affect your urethra, arse, mouth and throat. It is passed on through anal sex and oral sex. Symptoms: Pain when pissing or shitting are typical symptoms. A small amount of white or yellow discharge from the cock is characteristic of urethral infections. Infection of the throat will rarely show any symptoms. Treatment: Gonorrhoea is easily treated with antibiotics. Crabs: Crabs live in coarse body hair and they are passed on by intimate body contact - direct contact is probably required. Symptoms: The ones you might notice include itching around the pubic hair, minute specks of blood on the surface of the skin, the tiny insects themselves or their eggs (small white dots fixed to the hair). Treatment: Crabs are easily treated with a lotion which should be applied to all coarse hair bearing areas below the neck. It is left on for a few hours and then washed off. There is no need to shave the infected areas. If you are in a regular partnership, your man needs treatment too. Scabies: Scabies is a very common skin mite infection. It is spread extremely easily from one person to another, close direct contact is probably required. The incubation period can be very prolonged - over many months in fact. Symptoms: Symptoms include an intense itch which is worse at night or after bathing. On the genital area, it may cause quite large lumps. sort of like 'heat spots'. If you're HIV positive, you may be prone to a more severe form of the condition. Treatment: The treatment for scabies is with lotions - leave on for the time required and if you need to wash your hands, reapply after washing. Be careful to apply the lotion in all the crevices of the body such as the fingerwebs and soles of the feet. All family members and anyone whom you have been in close contact with should also be treated. Urethritis: Urethritis means inflammation of the Urethra ('water passage'). It can be caused by a number of different germs, including gonorrhoea, chlamydia, unreaplasma and a number of other bacteria, including those found naturally in the throat and anal areas. Although chlamydia is a very common cause of NGU (non-gonococcal urethritis) in straight men, it is less common in gay men. Symptoms: About a third of men with NGU have no symptoms. If you do have symptoms, you're likely to notice minor	Sexually Transmitted Infections	Herpes: Genital herpes is caused by infection with a virus called Herpes Simplex (HSV). There are two strains HSV-1 and HSV-2, both of which can cause genital herpes and cold sores in the mouth area. Infection with the virus does not always result in symptoms, but if it does, these usually consist of tiny blisters and sore areas on the skin surface. Four out of five adults carry HSV-1 and about one in five carries HSV-2 Symptoms: In most people, symptoms are mild or nonexistent. If symptoms do occur, they typically include itching/burning/tingling of the skin, followed by redness and small blisters which break open to form little sores. The first outbreak can last two or three weeks and often feels like flu, with muscle aches, headaches, swollen glands and burning on passing urine. If you get your first episode of herpes in anal/rectal area, this can cause quite severe discomfort, diarrhoea and an anal discharge. Herpes is transmitted through direct contact, including genital to genital, mouth to mouth, mouth to genital and gential to mouth contact. Herpes is most infectious during outbreaks, from the first signs until the skin has completely healed. Treatment: During an outbreak keep the affected area as cool and dry as possible. Bathe the affected area in tepid salty water or take a cool shower. If it is practical, leave the sores exposed to dry out. If you have sores around the anus, make sure you keep your stools soft by either taking plenty of dietary fibre and fluids, or use a stool softener such as lactose, protect the area using a little vaseline before going to the toilet - and wash afterwards. Although there is no drug available to kill the virus outright, acyclovir is a prescription drug which is used in two situations; it helps greatly in shortening first outbreaks and secondly, it may also be taken daily by a very small group of people who experience frequent, prolonged or severe recurrences. Acyclovir cream is much less effective, but like any cool substance, it feels soothing. Genital Warts: Genital wart virus infection (also known as Human Papilloma Virus or HPV) commonly infects the genital skin. In most people, it never causes any symptoms, but in a proportion of people it will cause the development of visible warts, similar in appearance to those on other parts of the body. The virus is passed on from one person to another by direct skin-to-skin contact, including non-penetrative sexual activities. As most people carrying HPV have no symptoms, this means it can be easily transmitted without either partner realising it. Symptoms: You can't usually tell if you have the viral infection because the virus is so often present without causing any identifiable warts. At the moment, there is no easy, routine way to detect the virus, although a number of specialised and painstaking techniques have been developed for research purposes. If warts appear, they are usually easy to feel and appear as small, soft, fleshy lumps which are often multiple. They are totally painless. The diagnosis can be easily confirmed by a doctor on examination. Treatment: Visible warts are treated with a range of therapies. Sexual health specialists are able to offer treatment best suited to the type, size and location of the warts. This includes the application of topical solutions, freezing and various other (painless!) methods. It is often necessary to repeat the treatment on one or more occasions. This is partly because the virus is active in the initial stage of infection and new warts may continue to appear, until your body's immune system begins to supress the virus. Unfortunately there is as yet no treatment which will kill the HPV outright. With time your body's immune system will suppress the virus, but probably never eliminate it. As with all sexually transmitted diseases we recommend you visit your local GUM clinic for regular check-ups and diagnoses. In Edinburgh phone 0131-536 2103 for an appointment.
	stinging or burning on passing urine and/or a clear or yellowish discharge from the urethra. The Test: For urethritis this involves passing a very fine cotton- tipped swab over the lining of the urethra. The test has a higher pick-up rate if you have not passed urine in the prceeding four hours. The doctor can diagnose urethritis immediately by looking at the specimen under a microscope and additional tests are carried out in the laboratory. Proctitis: This means inflammation of the rectum. It is caused by the same germs which cause urethritis - with the addition of herpes simplex and various parasite such as amoebae. Also any substances including chemicals can be irritating the anal lining. The germs for proctitis and urethritis live in the body's cells and surrounding fluids and need close contact for transmission to occur. This includes oral, anal and genital contact; the risk may extend to fingering and sharing of sex toys. You can't catch either of these infections from towels, toilet seats or ordinary social contact - no matter how friendly! Symptoms: These can be very mild or totally absent, especially if you have had the problem for a long time. Symptoms to look out for are diarrhoea, mucus streaking of shit, anal pain and a sensation of needing to go to the toilet again shortly after your last visit. The Test: for proctitis involves the doctor gently looking at the appearance of the anal lining through a small instrument call a proctoscope. This is the best way to diagnose proctitis, but if you prefer you may simply have some swabs taken from the entrance to the anus - these can screen for gonorrhoea and chlamydia. Treatment: depends very much on the cause - and it's usually best if both you and your partner have treatment together. Usually this means a short course of antibiotics - take the complete course, even after the symptoms disappear. Until you and your partner have both been back up for a check-ups to confirm that the problem has been cleared, be sure that you're having the right kind of low risk sex. Syphilis: is much less common in the UK nowadays than it used to be, gay men should still be aware of this infection and it's potential to spread easily from one person to another. It is transmitted sexually, although this need not always be genital or anal sexual contact. It cannot be caught from towels, crockery or other similar means, as the germ is fragile and can't live outside the body. Symptoms: Only a minority of people notice any symptoms (about a third). Most people become aware of the fact that they're infected when they have a routine syphilis blood test. If symptoms do appear, they include a painless genital ulcer or a skin rash on the body. Serious complications can occur many years later, but only if undiagnosed and untreated. The incubation period can range from 9-30 days, so if you think you have been at risk - have a final blood check three months after any possible exposure to the infection. Treatment: Syphilis is easily treated with a course of penicillin - probably best given by injection, although there are alternatives available if you don't like injections or are allergic to penicillin. It is important to ensure that the infection has been adequately treated: this can only be done by having regular blood tests after treatment. Following successful treatment for syphilis, one of the specific blood tests will remain positive, this indicates past infection.

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	About GMH Safer-Sex STI's Quiz Contact Us