Sexually Transmitted Infections - STI's

An STI can be a virus, a bacteria or a parasite that can be transmitted through sexual contact.

Some STI's (like Gonorrhoea) are curable with the right medication, some STI's (like HIV) have no cure but there are medications available to help reduce symptoms and some STI's (like Hepatitis B) can be vaccinated against.

If you have shared sexual activity with anyone who did not know their sexual health status, either now or in the past, then you may have been at risk from an STI.

Many STI's (like Chlamydia) may have no symptoms. Knowing who you are having sexual activity with is not enough to protect yourself from STI's. The only way to know if you have contracted an STI at some point in your life is to get a full sexual health screening.

For details on how to arrange an STI screening please visit the Where To Go? section. You may have lots of concerns about going for an STI screening, if you do, we can provide you with support and counselling around the entire screening process (more information on the screening process is available in our screening section).

If anything you have read on our website has caused you concern, please call our confidential helpline on 061 316661 during office hours, or contact us through our contact form for e-mail support.