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Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections, more commonly referred to as STIs, are infections that can be passed on by person to person through unprotected sexual contact.

Sexual contact can include:
• Vaginal sex
• Oral sex
• Anal sex
• Intimate touching

Some STIs can also be caught during sexual touching and skin-to-skin contact. The most common STIs in the UK are chlamydia, genital warts and gonorrhoea.

STIs are extremely common. Across the UK, in 2008, there were almost 400,000 new cases of sexually transmitted infections diagnosed.
The numbers of people with diagnosed STIs is increasing. The most affected group is 16-24 year olds; more than half of the people diagnosed with an STI in the UK were from this age group.

You’re never too old for an STI.
STIs are rapidly on the increase in the over 50s age groups. Both men and women should be aware that just because pregnancy is no longer an issue it is still important to use a condom.