Anyone can get a sexually transmitted infection if they have unprotected sex with someone who is infected. Sexually transmitted infections happen frequently in both men and women.

Some of the more common sexually transmitted infections include:

• genital warts
• chlamydia
• genital herpes
• gonorrhoea (the clap)

Often there are no symptoms, so you or your sexual partner could have an infection and not know it. Get medical advice straight away if you think you or your partner might have an infection.

Most sexually transmitted infections can be treated quickly and easily if you detect them early on. Some can cause serious long-term problems if you don’t get them treated. For example, chlamydia and gonorrhoea can lead to infertility. And HIV infection is still a very serious condition, despite advances in treatment for many of the illnesses that people with HIV are likely to get.

You can reduce your risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection by doing the following:

• Always use a condom when you have vaginal or anal sex
• You can explore other ways of having sex such as kissing, stroking and touching
• Use a dental dam (a thin latex-square barrier) to cover the vulva or anus during oral sex. You can get dental dams from some sexual health clinics, chemists and mail-order agencies
• Contact the National AIDS Helpline for details free on 0800 567 123
• Put condoms on sex toys such as vibrators or dildos if they are being shared. Wash the sex toy between activities and put on a new condom for each partner and activity. Do not use the same condom for vaginal sex after you have used it in the anal area as you could transfer bacteria which may cause an infection in the vagina
• You can use latex gloves with a lubricant before you insert a finger or hand in the vagina or anus.

Remember that symptoms may not appear for months, and some people get no symptoms at all. Others have symptoms which come and go even though the infection is still there.