STIs are on the increase so always be safe and wear a condom. REMEMBER: if you sleep with one person, so are sleeping with everyone they’re ever slept with. How can you guarantee your safety from disease?

Avoiding STIs

STIs

• HIV and AIDs

• Amoebiosis
• Campylobacter
• Chlamydia
• Cytomegalovirus
• Epstein-Barr Virus
• Genital warts
• Giardiasis
• Gonorrhoea
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• Herpes
• HIV & AIDs
• Human Herpes virus
• Molluscum Contagiosum
• Mycoplasma Gentialium
• Non-Specific Ureathritis
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• Pubic lice
• Salmonella
• Scabies
• Shigellosis
• Syphilis
• Trichomonas
• Ureaplasma Urealyticum

Cystitis and Thrush aren't sexually transmitted infections but they can be made worse by sex. Check out how to avoid them.

Remember, sex comes with 3 consequences, pregnancy, STIs and REGRET. You can protect against STIs by using a condom. If you ever need emergency contraception, then you need to be checked out for all STIs too. Many people with STDs don't have any symptoms. If you've ever had sex without using a condom, it'd be a good idea to ask your GP to check you out if you don't know for sure that they are clear. This will mean either a simple internal examination or a blood test. Either way, it's worth being sure.

If you are worried that you may have caught HIV then you must go to your GP. They will talk to you in complete confidence and book you a blood test to see if you have the HIV antibodies in your blood. If you have had unprotected sex you will have to wait before the HIV test will work because it takes at least three months after infection for the HIV antibodies to appear in your blood. You can call the National Aids Helpline free on 0800 567 123.

Remember that sex is illegal if you’re under 16.

For more STI info: www.ruthinking.co.uk, www.fpa.org.uk, STD Factfile

Dietary Information

If you have an STI, eat plenty of:

• Whole grains, fresh fruit and vegetables
• Lean meat, nuts and pulses
• Water and fruit juices

Cut down on:

• Caffeine, in tea, coffee and colas.

Play this fantastic STI and pregnancy protection game' Defenders' on the Brook website. Click here!