Common STI symptoms students need to know as they head back to uni - full list
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned university students about the dangers of sexually transmitted infections (STI) before Freshers Week, as cases of gonorrhoea hit record levels.
Students have been urged to use a condom and get tested regularly after gonorrhoea cases soared to 82,592 in 2022, an increase of more than 50 percent compared to the previous year. Recent figures have shown that young people aged 15 to 24 are most likely to receive an STI diagnosis. Last year, there were a staggering 400 cases being reported every day in this age group.
Latest figures have identified the university cities, towns or county in which the most people tested positive for gonorrhoea last year. Unsurprisingly, London tops the list as it had more than 20,000 cases in 2022, while Manchester reported 1,692 cases and Leeds had 1,668.
Dr Katy Sinka, Head of Sexually Transmitted Infections at UKHSA, said: “Starting university can be an exciting time. But it is very important to be aware of the risks of catching STIs from condomless sex. STIs can have serious consequences and there are very high numbers of STIs at the moment – but there are some easy steps you can take to reduce your risk of infection.”
As students prepare to mingle with new people for their studies, Chemist4U has shared the symptoms of the nine most common STIs. Here’s everything you need to know.
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Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most common STI in the UK for under 25's and is passed on through unprotected sex. It is often labelled the ‘silent infection’ due to 75 percent of women and 50 percent of men reporting no symptoms. It can often take a couple of weeks for symptoms to appear, and they differ between men and women.
Symptoms in women: pain when urinating, unusual vaginal discharge, pain in the stomach or pelvis, pain or bleeding after sex, and bleeding between periods.
Symptoms in men: you may notice pain when urinating; white, cloudy or watery discharge from the tip of the penis; burning or itching in the urethra (the tube which carries urine out of the body) and pain in the testicles.
Chlamydia can usually be cured with a short course of antibiotics, but if left untreated it can spread to other parts of the body and lead to long-term health problems, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and swelling in the epididymis.
Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is spread through unprotected sex and is caused by bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae or gonococcus. It used to be known as "the clap", explains the NHS. Around half of women and one in 10 men will not get symptoms of the infection. GOV.UK warns that if left untreated, gonorrhoea can cause infertility and PID.
Symptoms in women: thick green or yellow vaginal discharge, painful urination, vaginal bleeding between periods and abdominal or pelvic discomfort.
Symptoms in men: if you are experiencing painful urination, thick green or yellow discharge from the tip of the penis, pain or inflammation in one or both testicles, you must get checked.
Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite named Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) and symptoms usually develop within a month of infection. However, around half of all people will not develop any symptoms, but they can still pass it on to others.
Symptoms in women: vaginal discharge that may be thick, thin, frothy and a yellow or green in colour; you may also produce more than normal or it may have an unpleasant fishy smell. The area around the vagina may be sore, swollen and itchy - this might also affect the inner thighs.
Symptoms in men: soreness, swelling and redness around the head of the penis or foreskin; pain during urination or ejaculation; needing to pass urine more often and thin, white discharge from the penis.
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The NHS says complications of trichomoniasis are rare, but pregnant women face an increased risk of the baby being born prematurely or have a low birthweight.
Genital warts
Genital warts are caused by a type of human papillomavirus (HPV). Many people carry genital warts virus without symptoms and unknowingly pass on the virus to others. It can range from weeks to months before you develop any symptoms of the infection, so it is important to get tested as soon as possible after you have had unprotected sex.
Symptoms: painful growths or lumps around your vagina or penis, anus or upper thighs; itching, bleeding, changes to your urine flow (for example sideways, instead of downward); or a sexual partner who has genital warts, even if you don’t have symptoms.
Genital herpes
The herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes genital herpes, which can be spread by skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity, such as receiving oral sex from somebody who has a cold sore.
Symptoms: flu-like symptoms, such as a fever, headache, aches and pains, stinging, tingling or itching in the genital or anal area, discharge from the vagina or penis, fluid-filled blisters appearing in the infected area that burst and leave behind small red sores which can be very painful - this will cause discomfort when passing urine due to the urine passing over the sores.
Scabies
Scabies is a common and very contagious disease caused by tiny mites who reproduce on the surface of your skin and burrow into it to lay their eggs. It is usually transmitted through sexual contact, but you can catch it through prolonged skin-to-skin contact such as sharing a bed with an infected person.
Symptoms: red, itchy, raised rash or pimple-like spots on your skin, which may look different on darker skin, but you should be able to feel them. The itching may become worse at night.
Syphilis
Syphilis cases soared to almost 8,700 in 2022, the highest since 1948. Warning signs are similar for men and women and will usually start off mild, leading many to ignore the problem until their condition worsens.
Symptoms
In the early stages of syphilis, symptoms may include a small painless sore known as a chancre which will appear on the area where the infection entered the body. This chancre will not hurt and should disappear after two to six weeks, but it is extremely infectious.
If syphilis has been left untreated, it can develop into more dangerous stages that can have really serious outcomes like heart disease, dementia, stroke, deafness, blindness and even paralysis. If you are pregnant you could pass syphilis on to your newborn baby, but you and your baby can be treated during pregnancy.
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
HPV is a very common infection that is passed on by sexual contact. If HPV doesn’t go away on its own, it may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancers. It can be passed on through skin-to-skin contact of the genital area, vaginal, anal and oral sex, or from sharing sex toys.
Symptoms in women : HPV can have no symptoms, so you may not know you have it - but it is very common and most people will get some type of HPV in their lifetime. There is no way to determine which people with HPV will develop cancer or other health problems, but those with weakened immune systems may be more at risk. However, HPV tests can be done at cervical cancer screenings, which all women are invited to aged 25 to 64.
Symptoms for men : none, other than genital warts.
If you are concerned that you have an STI, go for a check-up at a sexual health clinic as soon as you can. Dr Sinka added: “Condoms are the best defence against STIs. If you didn’t use one the last time you had sex with a new or casual partner please do get tested even if you are not showing any symptoms, it’s free and confidential.
"If you’re a student going to university for the first time or returning for a new year, it’s a good idea to get tested before you start having sex with a new or casual partner.”
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