Sexual Health

Anyone who is sexually active needs to know how to protect themselves and their partner, this includes:

• Reducing the chances of getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or becoming pregnant
• Looking after your and your partner's emotional health and wellbeing
• Knowing how to act in a way that ensures everyone is staying safe 

Even if you don't plan to have sex anytime soon, finding out about safer sex will ensure that you are protected when you do.

Crucial: Safer sex means always using a condom if you have vaginal, oral or anal sex, even if you are using another form of contraception. Most people use a condom with a new partner. Condoms stop infection by sexually transmitted infections (STI) like Chlamydia and HIV.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

An STI, also called a sexually transmitted disease (STD), is passed from one person to another during sex. 

Some diseases only affect the sexual body parts, while others (like HIV and Syphilis) can go on to damage other parts of the body. When spread through oral sex, an STI can infect the mouth and throat.

If untreated, STI's can make you very ill.

STIs and young people

STIs, including HIV, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis and Chlamydia, are on the rise in the UK, especially among young people. Other infections include Herpes, genital warts and public lice (crabs).

Know the facts:

• You don't have to have full sex (penetration) to get an STI.
• Many STIs show no symptoms at first.
• All STIs can be helped by medical treatment.

Crucial: Remember, you only have to have unprotected sex (sex without a condom) once to be at risk of getting an STI. Find out more about sexual health from the NHS.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most common STI among young people who are sexually active. Many people who have it don't have any symptoms. If left untreated it can go on to cause pain and infertility. It is easy to test for and easy to treat. 

Using a condom correctly every time you have sex can reduce the chances of getting Chlamydia.

Anyone living in Oxfordshire aged 18+ can get a free NHS chlamydia test online. If you are under 18 you can request a test from your school nurse, sexual health clinic or your GP.

Take action: You can get tested for Chlamydia for free from home by signing up for your Chlamydia testing kit online. Under 18s can call for a telephone consultation.

HIV/AIDS

HIV is the virus that can lead to AIDS, an illness that affects the body's ability to fight off disease. HIV is passed on in the sexual fluids or blood of an infected person, usually through sexual intercourse or by sharing needles used to inject drugs.

There is good treatment for HIV and also a treatment called (PrEP) that can stop HIV being passed on.

It is really important to get tested early if you think you might be at risk, as it means treatment can start sooner.

Should I get checked?

If you are sexually active you should use the advice and testing services at your Sexual Health Clinic.

In Oxfordshire, you can go to a sexual health clinic, your GP or School Health Nurse. You can also access self-test services online. 

Crucial:  Sometimes a Sexual Health Clinic will contact you and recommend treatment. This means that you have been named as a sexual contact by someone they are treating for an STI. You should get tested, even if you feel fine as you can have an infection and not be aware of it.