Question 1

Chlamydia

Accepted Answer

This infection regularly shows no symptoms.
 
Chlamydia is one of the most common STIs in the UK. Many people with chlamydia will show no symptoms which makes it easy to pass on during unprotected sex. The only way of knowing for certain you have the condition is through effective testing, but common symptoms include pain whilst urinating, unusual discharge in both men and women and pain during sex.

Question 2

Gardnerella Vaginalis

Accepted Answer

Gardnerella Vaginalis is a naturally occurring bacteria that is most commonly found in the vagina. It can however be transmitted through sexual intercourse and men can catch the infection. Due to the fact that it's naturally occurring medication is often not prescribed for women unless there are symptoms.

Question 3

Gonorrhoea

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

Hepatitis B

Accepted Answer

Hepatitis B is a virus that affects the liver. It is spread through the transfer of blood and bodily fluids, including through unprotected sex. It is less common in the UK when compared to other countries, but you are at risk if you have unprotected sex with someone carrying the virus. For many people, Hepatitis B has a lifelong impact and you may never fully be cured.

Question 5

Hepatitis C

Accepted Answer

Hepatitis C is a virus that affects the liver. It is passed on through the transfer of blood, including during sex. It's usually possible to cure the infection and most people will have a normal life expectancy. Unfortunately it rarely shows symptoms until the liver is significantly damaged, which is why testing following unprotected sex is so important.

Question 6

Herpes Simplex (HSV)

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 7

HIV

Accepted Answer

HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus. HIV infection progresses in stages as the virus gradually depletes disease-fighting immune cells. Over time, this leaves the body vulnerable to opportunistic infections
The initial stage, called acute seroconversion, can cause flu-like symptoms or no symptoms at all. The 
incubation period for acute HIV is between two to three weeks (although symptoms can sometimes take up to three months to develop).

After the acute symptoms resolve, the virus will go into a period of latency that can last 10 to 15 years or even more. Eventually, when enough immune cells have been destroyed, the infection can progress to the most advanced stage of infection, known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Question 8

Mycoplasma Genitalium

Accepted Answer

Mycoplasma genitalium is also known as MG or Mgen. It's a sexually transmitted bacterium that infects the urinary and genital tracts of men and women.

MG can cause non-specific urethritis (NSU) in men and pelvic inflammatory disease
(PID) in women.

Symptoms: 
The majority of people with MG have no symptoms and the infection will clear itself naturally in some cases. Others may have one or more symptoms.
Signs and symptoms in people with a penis:
• pain when urinating
• a discharge
• pain in their testicles
• proctitis, an inflammation in the rectum causing anal pain and discharge.
Signs and symptoms in people with a vagina:
• vaginal discharge
• pain in the lower abdomen
• abnormal vaginal bleeding (intermenstrual bleeding)
• bleeding after sex
• PID has been linked to MG – PID can cause infertility and is also associated
with pre-term births and spontaneous abortions.

Incubation period is 1-3 weeks

Question 9

Syphilis

Accepted Answer

This infection regularly shows no symptoms.
 
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.

Question 10

Trichomonas Vaginalis

Accepted Answer

Trichomoniasis is an STI caused by a one-celled parasite known as Trichomonas vaginalis. Both males and females can get trichomoniasis, but the infection is often asymptomatic (in males especially). In females,
trichomoniasis may cause vaginal itchiness and discharge with a fishy smell. 8 The incubation period of trichomoniasis is between five and 28 days.

Question 11

Ureaplasma

Accepted Answer

Ureaplasma is a bacteria that is commonly found in the urinary or genital tract. It will usually live in balance with other bacteria naturally found in your body and many people will never know they have it. Due to its usual harmless nature, treatment is not usually prescribed unless the infected individual is noticing clear symptoms.

The Sexual Health GP

New Relationship / No Symptoms

Male/Female

Maxi Test

Sample Requirements

Blood

Urine

Male/Female - Maxi Test

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Turnaround time

Incubation Period

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Procedure

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Arrive at the clinic

Your Blood Sample

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Results

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