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  1. Health
  2. Sex and sexual health
  3. STIs

STIs

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s SUPER-GONORRHOEA!

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s SUPER-GONORRHOEA!

In the last couple of months we’ve seen headlines about three (yes, three) untreatable infections of super gonorrhoea. Read more

Published: 30th July, 2021

Author: Liam Murphy

HIV and STI self-testing

HIV and STI self-testing

Home testing is a way for you to test for HIV and STIs from the comfort of your own home. Most are self-sampling, which you return the products and get your results within a couple of days. Others offer 15 mins results. Read more

Published: 8th July, 2021

Updated: 5th August, 2021

Author: Liam Murphy

Getting tested: How scary is it? (not very)

Getting tested: How scary is it? (not very)

Contributor Hadley Stewart, explains that how his own experiences at GUM clinics haven’t been scary at all. Read more

Published: 8th June, 2021

Updated: 30th July, 2021

Author: Liam Murphy

STIs: Don't get mad. Get tested.

STIs: Don't get mad. Get tested.

Many of us are still hung up on the idea that if someone goes to a sexual health clinic they’ve obviously got something, they’re only there because they’re a slut or because their boyfriend cheated on them. Read more

Published: 8th June, 2021

Updated: 30th July, 2021

Author: Liam Murphy

The A to C of Hepatitis

The A to C of Hepatitis

What’s the difference between hepatitis A, B and C? How can they affect you? And how can you treat them? Read more

Published: 8th June, 2021

Updated: 29th July, 2021

Author: Liam Murphy

Cheating and the risk of STIs

Cheating and the risk of STIs

As well as broken hearts and emotional turmoil, a cheating partner can bring home STIs. Read more

Published: 8th June, 2021

Updated: 29th July, 2021

Author: Liam Murphy

Condoms and lube

Condoms and lube

Condoms used with water-based or silicone-based lube are the surest way to protect you or your partner against HIV and many other sexually transmitted infections. Read more

Published: 7th June, 2021

Updated: 9th July, 2021

Author: Liam Murphy

Free HIV and STI home-testing kit

Free HIV and STI home-testing kit

Find out how and where to get a free HIV and STI home testing kit Read more

Published: 7th June, 2021

Updated: 30th March, 2022

Author: Liam Murphy

Why should I get tested for HIV?

Why should I get tested for HIV?

No matter the result, getting tested is a win-win. Read more

Published: 28th November, 2019

Updated: 14th April, 2021

Author: Justin Mahboubian-Jones

STI home testing - how does it work?

STI home testing - how does it work?

Not showing symptoms? A postal testing kit could work for you. Read more

Published: 26th November, 2018

Updated: 7th February, 2020

Author: Justin Mahboubian-Jones

Safe Sex and STIs - a guide for lesbians

Safe Sex and STIs - a guide for lesbians

Think lesbians aren't at risk of STIs? Think again. Read more

Published: 26th November, 2018

Updated: 18th March, 2020

Author: Ian Howley

About STIs

About STIs

Why should you get tested for STIs? Read more

Published: 10th January, 2017

Updated: 13th April, 2021

Author: Ian Howley

Chlamydia

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection. It is most commonly passed on by having sex without a condom. Read more

Published: 10th January, 2017

Updated: 16th January, 2019

Author: Ian Howley

Crabs

Crabs

Crabs, or pubic lice, are tiny brown bloodsucking insects, so called because of their crablike claws, which allow them to hold on to pubic hair. Read more

Published: 9th January, 2017

Updated: 16th January, 2019

Author: Ian Howley

Genital warts

Genital warts

Warts are abnormal skin growths caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). Read more

Published: 9th January, 2017

Updated: 13th April, 2021

Author: Ian Howley

Glandular fever (mono)

Glandular fever (mono)

Glandular fever, also known as 'mono' or, to give it its full title, mononucleosis. Read more

Published: 9th January, 2017

Updated: 16th January, 2019

Author: Ian Howley

Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea, or 'the clap', is a bacterial infection Read more

Published: 9th January, 2017

Updated: 16th January, 2019

Author: Ian Howley

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A

The best way to prevent hepatitis A is by getting vaccinated. Read more

Published: 9th January, 2017

Updated: 13th April, 2021

Author: Ian Howley

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B

The hepatitis B virus is in blood, cum, urine, spit and poo, as well as other body fluids of a person who's infected. Read more

Published: 9th January, 2017

Updated: 13th April, 2021

Author: Ian Howley

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is not as easily passed on as hepatitis A or hepatitis B, but it can cause long term damage to your health and there is no vaccine to prevent it. Read more

Published: 9th January, 2017

Updated: 13th April, 2021

Author: Ian Howley

Herpes

Herpes

Herpes is a virus that is spread by skin to skin contact. Read more

Published: 9th January, 2017

Updated: 13th April, 2021

Author: Ian Howley

HPV (human papilloma virus)

HPV (human papilloma virus)

HPV - human papilloma virus - is the name for a group of viruses that can affect your skin, anus/rectum, mouth and throat. Read more

Published: 9th January, 2017

Updated: 13th April, 2021

Author: Ian Howley

Comments: 1

LGV (lymphogranuloma venereum)

LGV (lymphogranuloma venereum)

LGV is short for lymphogranuloma venereum. It is a form of the common sexually transmitted infection chlamydia. Read more

Published: 9th January, 2017

Updated: 13th April, 2021

Author: Ian Howley

MCV (molluscum contagiosum virus)

MCV (molluscum contagiosum virus)

Molluscum contagiosum is a skin infection that is caused by a virus. Read more

Published: 9th January, 2017

Updated: 13th April, 2021

Author: Ian Howley

NSP (non-specific proctitis)

NSP (non-specific proctitis)

NSP, or non-specific proctitis, is an infection similar to NSU except that it is found in the arse rather than in the urethra. Read more

Published: 9th January, 2017

Updated: 13th April, 2021

Author: Ian Howley

Syphilis

Syphilis

Syphilis is a bacterial infection which is most usually transmitted through sex without a condom and oral... Read more

Published: 9th January, 2017

Updated: 13th April, 2021

Author: Ian Howley

NSU (non-specific urethritis)

NSU (non-specific urethritis)

NSU, or non-specific urethritis to give it its full name, is an infection of the urethra – the tube inside your penis that you pee or pass semen through. Read more

Published: 8th January, 2017

Updated: 13th April, 2021

Author: Ian Howley

Scabies

Scabies

Scabies is a skin disease caused by a tiny parasitic mite that lives just under the surface of your skin. Scabies can be spread by any form of skin-to-skin contact and can also be caught from infested clothing, sheets or towels. Read more

Published: 7th January, 2017

Updated: 13th April, 2021

Author: Ian Howley

Shigella

Shigella

Shigella (or bacillary dysentery) is a bacterial infection which you can get by coming into contact with poo. Read more

Published: 19th November, 2016

Updated: 17th January, 2019

Author: Ian Howley

Comments: 1

What you need to know about STIs

What you need to know about STIs

Using condoms will protect you from many STIs, and many of them are easily cured or can be vaccinated against. However, the transmission of some STIs is very difficult to prevent, even if you have safer sex. Read more

Published: 18th November, 2016

Updated: 13th January, 2020

Author: Ian Howley

I always use condoms but could I have HIV?

I always use condoms but could I have HIV?

When it comes to sex and relationships there is no such thing as a stupid question. Here are our answers to some of the things you asked us via the GMFA website. Read more

Published: 27th March, 2014

Updated: 13th February, 2019

Author: Ian Howley

Back to top

Showing 10 of 31

Latest

  • HangOuts 50+ 23/06/2022

    HangOuts 50+ 23/06/2022

    This session: Connections - Thursday 23/06/2022 @6pm In this group we'll discuss how we can bring our community closer together and address some of the issues that can keep us apart.

  • Find your local pride 2022

    Find your local pride 2022

    Prides happen all across the UK and Ireland. Find an event near you.

  • Stress - what is it?

    Stress - what is it?

    We all experience stress from time to time, but what is it? And when does it become a problem?

  • FS Magazine

    FS Magazine

    FS Magazine is the health and life magazine from LGBT HERO

Most read

  • Being non-binary

    Being non-binary

    What does it mean to be non-binary?

  • HIV advice for gay men

    HIV advice for gay men

    We've all heard the myths! If you're gay men you're bound to become HIV-positive. Right? Wrong!

  • "The Gay Community is Racist"

    The question is: are we really that shocked to learn that Britain’s gay scene is so racist?

  • How risky is having sex without condoms?

    How risky is having sex without condoms?

    Most gay and bisexual men who have HIV caught it from having penetrative sex without a condom.

  • Safe Sex and STIs - a guide for lesbians

    Safe Sex and STIs - a guide for lesbians

    Think lesbians aren't at risk of STIs? Think again.

  • Monkeypox and what you need to know

    Monkeypox and what you need to know

    There seems to be an outbreak of Monkeypox, with many initial cases coming from gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men. Here's what you need to know.

  • Herpes

    Herpes

    Herpes is a virus that is spread by skin to skin contact.

  • What is asexuality?

    What is asexuality?

    Understanding asexuality and dispelling the myths and misconceptions about it.

  • A modern guy's guide to cruising

    A modern guy's guide to cruising

    Perhaps surprisingly, the proud tradition of cruising is still going strong. Wherever you are in the UK, you’re not going to be too far from a spot where you’ll easily find other men who want to hook up with men. There are plenty of apps and websites dedicated to helping you out if you want to have sex in a public place.

  • Conversion therapy: the facts

    Conversion therapy: the facts

    Being pushed into a "queer cure"? It's both damaging and unscientific.

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coming out condoms depression Gareth Johnson Gay sex advice hiv HIV news Ian Howley lgbt mental health sexual health sexuality stis Stuart Haggas suicide Vish

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LGBT HERO is the national health and wellbeing charity for LGBTQ+ people supporting over 100,000 people a month.

LGBT HERO is the trading name of the Health Equality and Rights Organisation.

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