All sexual partners should be checked and treated. Sex should be avoided as it can cause further spread. Following treatment, condoms should be used for 6 months.

Prevention:
Always use a condom and decrease number of casual or new sexual partners.

GONORRHOEA (the 'clap')

Cause:
Neisseria gonorrhoeae (a bacteria)

Mode of spread:
Vaginal, oral or anal sex. (A mother who has the infection can spread it to her baby during birth).

Symptoms:
There may be no symptoms at all, but commonly one will have one or more of the following:

Females

Males

Tests:
Your doctor will need to take swabs from the cervix, urethra, throat or rectum, or a urine test. They will then send the sample away to a laboratory for testing.

Treatment:
Antibiotics course, followed by a repeat test to ensure the infection is cured. Sex should be avoided until the treatment is finished and all sexual partners tested and cured.

Prevention:

HEPATITIS B

Cause:
hepatitis B (virus)

Mode of spread:
Blood-to-blood contact; or by vaginal, oral and anal sex. Spread can also occur from an infected mother to her baby during birth.

Symptoms:
Majority of infected adults do not suffer a serious illness. Instead some go on to be long-term carriers. Should symptoms develop, they vary in severity and include yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), fever, loss of appetite, tiredness and joint pain. Carriers of the virus have an increased risk of liver damage and liver cancer.

Tests:
Blood tests can identify hepatitis B antibodies. The test should be repeated in 3-4 months time even it it gives a negative result on first specimen.

Treatment:
Prompt treatment can prevent hepatitis B infection. This is most effective with a combination of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and hepatitis B vaccine.

Prevention:
Use a condom, and decrease number of sexual partners. Don't share personal items such as razors, toothbrushes, dental floss or needles.

HIV/AIDS

Cause:
human immunodeficiency virus (virus)

Mode of spread:
Vaginal, oral and anal sex and blood-to-blood contact. An infected woman can spread HIV to the unborn baby in the womb, during childbirth or through breast-feeding.

Symptoms:
Persistent fatigue, swollen lymph glands, rapid weight loss, nightsweats and memory loss. These symptoms may appear several years after initial infection. (When the immune system is severely damaged, the stage of this illness is called AIDS. The average time from HIV infection to AIDS is 10 years - AIDS is terminal).

Test:
Blood tests can identify HIV antibodies. However, this test usually gives a negative result for the first 1-3 months of the infection and another test is recommended in 3-4 months time.

Treatment:
As yet, there is no vaccine or cure. Individuals infected with HIV remain so for life. Early diagnosis and treatment prolongs life and may delay onset of AIDS.

Prevention:
Using a condom, and decreasing the number of sexual partners. Don't share personal items such as razors, toothbrushes, dental floss or needles.

LICE ("CRABS")

Cause:
Phthirus pubis (the crablouse).

Mode of spread:
Direct skin-to-skin contact including sexual activity, contact with towels, underclothing or bedding of an infected person.

Symptoms:
Itching in the pubic hair or visible eggs or crabs

Tests:
Diagnosis is usually made by observation.

Treatment:
Insecticide lotions are used. Bed linen and clothing should be laundered and aired in the sun during the course of treatment. It is not necessary to shave one's pubic hair.

Prevention:
Pubic lice can be caught without having any sexual contact. However, the spread is diminished through avoiding sexual activity and/or decreasing the number of partners.

SCABIES ('THE ITCH')

Cause:
sarcoptes scabiei - a mite which lays its eggs under the skin surface.

Mode of spread:
Close skin-to-skin contact, sexual activity, clothes of infected person.

Symptoms:
Itching is the main symptom. However, a rash can sometimes develop.

Tests:
Diagnosis via observation

Treatment:
Insecticide lotions are used. The whole body (except the head) should be treated, and bedding linen and clothing must be washed. The itch may persist for a couple of weeks after treatment. All sexual partners and housemates should be treated.

Prevention:
Pubic lice can be caught without having any sexual contact. However, the spread is diminished through avoiding sexual activity and/or decreasing the number of partners.

SYPHILIS

Cause:
treponema pallidum (bacteria)

Mode of spread:
Vaginal, oral or anal sex, or direct contact with open sores. An unborn baby can be infected if his/her mother is infected.

Symptoms:
Characterised by 3 stages.

Stage 1
Ulcer or sore around or in the genitalia are or around or in the mouth, appears 3-4 weeks after infection.

Stage 2
The symptoms may include enlarged lymph glands, a flat, red rash on the face, palms of hands or soles of feet, headaches and joint pains. The 2nd stage usually occurs 2-6 months after initial infection.

Stage 3
10% of individuals who do not receive treatment progress to the 3rd stage. This stage may result in serious complications of the brain and heart.

Tests:
Any ulcer that is present should be swabbed. However, there are sometimes problems picking up the bacteria, and a blood test is more accurate.

Treatment:
Antibiotics are often prescribed. Syphilis can be cured with a full course of penicillin, especially if picked up at an early stage. While being on treatment, sexual activity (vaginal, oral or anal) should be avoided and all sexual partners be tested and treated.

Prevention:
A condom should always be used to prevent transmission. Like other STIs, prevention involves avoidance of sexual activity with casual partners and/or decreasing the number of partners.