The NHS has issued a “get tested” warning over a common type of infection many people may have without knowing about it. The alert comes as data released earlier this year found sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to be at record levels.
A new NHS post on X reads: “Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common and can be passed on during sex or through sexual contact. Many STIs have no symptoms, so you can have an STI without knowing it. The only way to know for sure is to get tested.”
Guidance on the NHS website further explains that STIs can usually be treated at a sexual health clinic, and that symptoms can include unusual discharge from your vagina, penis or anus, pain when peeing, lumps or skin growths around your genitals or bottom, a rash, unusual vaginal bleeding, itchy genitals or anus, blisters, sores or warts around your genitals or anus, and/or warts in your mouth or throat – though this is very rare.
NHS advice continues: “How soon symptoms appear depends on the type of STI you have. STIs can take up to 7 weeks after you have unprotected sex to show up on a test. If you do not have symptoms, it’s best to wait 7 weeks before getting tested.”
If you think you may have an STI, have a sexual partner who has symptoms of an STI, are worried about having sex without a condom, are pregnant and have STI symptoms, and/or are having casual sex without a condom with new partners, you should go to a sexual health clinic. You should also abstain from sex without using a condom until you have had a check-up or been tested.