Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is a serious illness caused by bacteria. Approximately half of the women and a third of the men with this infection do not show any symptoms.

In men, the main symptom is painful urination, which can be severe. There is also a yellowish discharge from the urethra (the tube through which urine passes from the body). In women, the symptoms tend to be more limited, normally consisting of painful urination and an increasing amount of vaginal discharge. It's also possible for the mouth, throat and rectum to become infected.

Gonorrhoea can be treated with antibiotics; however, it is becoming resistant to some drugs. If left, untreated gonorrhoea can develop into a serious condition.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is an infection caused by bacteria. It can be passed on by all forms of sexual contact with an infected partner. It can cause serious problems in men and women, such as penile discharge and infertility.

About 1 in 20 sexually active women in the UK are infected with chlamydia. It is most common in women under 25. Many women are not aware that they are infected as it often causes no symptoms. You can be infected with chlamydia for months, even years, without realising it.

A short course of antibiotics usually clears chlamydial infection. Even if you have no symptoms, treatment is strongly advised to prevent possible complications.

Syphilis

Syphilis is caused by bacteria. It is usually passed on by sexual contact, and symptoms can develop in a few days or take several months to appear. The first symptoms are usually the appearance of one or more highly infectious sores, usually at the site of infection. The sores tend to clear up on their own in two to six weeks, but the bacteria continues to move throughout the body, damaging organs as it progresses. Later symptoms can be highly variable and if left untreated, syphilis can eventually affect the brain or heart, and lead to death. Syphilis can be cured in the early stages by antibiotics.

Genital herpes

Genital herpes is a common infection caused by the herpes simplex virus type 2 or type 1, passed on by oral sex or sexual intercourse. Symptoms include small blisters in the genital area, which rapidly break down to leave painful ulcers. Other symptoms include pain or difficulty in passing urine, headaches and fever. Once acquired, herpes is a lifelong chronic condition, but there are antiviral drugs available which can reduce the severity of symptoms.

Genital (venereal) warts

Genital warts are caused by a virus passed on by direct skin to skin contact, and can be found on or around the penis, anus or vagina. It can take weeks or months to develop warts after being infected, although it is also possible to be a 'carrier' of the virus and to pass it on without developing any symptoms yourself.

Genital warts are unsightly and can cause irritation and itching, but do not generally cause serious health problems, although some strains of the virus that causes them have been associated with cervical cancer. Genital warts can disappear without treatment or can be removed by freezing, laser treatment or surgery.