The Sexual Health GP

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is spread through unprotected sex with an infected individual. It's important to test for the condition if you believe you have come in contact with it as it can have a long term impact on your health. Symptoms can include a painless sore or ulcer on the penis or vagina, along with other rashes affecting different areas of the body. Many people will notice no symptoms or the symptoms may be so mild that they pass unnoticed.

This infection regularly shows no symptoms.

Formerly known as "the clap", gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria. It can affect the vagina, penis, anus or throat and as a result can be passed on through unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex. It regularly shows no symptoms, but some signs include yellowy or green discharge, burning when passing urine, abdominal pain in women or genital pain in men.

Herpes Simplex (HSV) is a virus that can be transmitted through skin on skin contact with someone who is having an active outbreak, including through vaginal, oral or anal sex. It can cause genital herpes where the condition presents as small blisters that burst to leave red, open sores. It can also present on the face in the form of cold sores. People infected with herpes carry the virus for life and may have outbreaks or flare ups.