Sexual health
If you're sexually active, you're at risk of catching a sexually
transmitted infection.
Anyone who has sex can catch a sexually transmitted infection
(STI) no matter what their age, so it's important to find out how
to avoid infection, how to get tested or treated, and how to
protect your sexual health. This can prevent health
complications for you and your sexual partners.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are caused by viruses and
bacteria that are passed on during sexual intercourse. STIs affect
one in nine people. Many are easily treated, but some (including
HIV) are not.
It is not always obvious if you or your partner has an STI as
many have no symptoms. The best thing to do is make sure you
practice safe sex and always use a condom during sexual
activity, and if you are worried that you may have come into
contact with an STI, visit your family doctor or local
genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinic immediately.
More information
- visit the
NHS Choices website for advice on contraception, STIs,
practicising safe sex, fertility and a range of other issues
- visit your local GP for advice on contraception and other
advice on sexual. Use the NHS Choices website to
find a local GP if you do not have one
- visit the Chelsea
and Westminster Hospital website for
information on a wide range of sexual health and HIV
services for people living in the borough. They offer testing
for sexually transmitted infections (including HIV tests),
contraceptives, including the morning after pill (emergency
contraception), condoms, pregnancy testing, Hepatitis A and B
vaccinations, safer sex education and support/counselling
- visit the Family Planning
Association website for straightforward
information, advice and support on all aspects of sexual
health, sex and relationships
- visit the
BBC World Services Sexwise website: the on-line resource
of a worldwide sex education project
Sex education for younger people