TEEN TABOOS

PROGRAMME 2: SEX, TEENS AND INFECTIONS

This episode includes testimony from people who have been affected first-hand by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and their serious long-term effects. Valuable information on prevention, symptoms, testing and treatment is also provided, as well as some shocking statistics on the prevalence of STIs among young people.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Sexual health in the UK is poor. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia, are widespread and increasing, while teenage conceptions are amongst the highest in Western Europe. Moreover, young people living in deprived areas are at particularly high risk. This programme has very strong messages about safe sex for young people who are sexually active.

Integrated approaches to addressing this issue are increasingly showing positive progress. That is to say, up-to-date and accurate information for young people, combined with comprehensive sex and relationships education programmes and easy access to sexual healthcare facilities, form the basis for most current strategies.

The following is a guide to the most common infections:

• Chlamydia
• Genital warts
• Gonorrhoea
• Hepatitis
• Herpes
• HIV
• Non-specific urethritis (NSU)
• Pubic lice (crabs)
• Syphilis
• Trichomonas (TV or trichs)

Chlamydia can be transmitted by having unprotected sex with a person who has the infection. People with chlamydia have no symptoms so they don't know they have the infection, and it is estimated that one in 10 young people are infected. A simple test using a specimen of urine, and treatment with antibiotics, can prevent untreated chlamydia leading to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can lead to infertility.

Genital warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), which is usually sexually transmitted. The incubation period can be months or even years. Most people who get this virus do not actually get any warts, and they may not know they have the infection so can spread it through unprotected sex. There used to be concern that warts could cause cervical cancer in women. However, it is now clear that the types of HPV that cause visible genital warts do not cause cancer.

Gonorrhoea is transmitted by having unprotected sex with a person who has the infection. It can be passed between a man and a woman, or between two men having anal sex. It is diagnosed by taking a swab test and can be easily treated with antibiotics. It is important that any partner(s) who might have the infection also receive treatment, and that sex is avoided until it is clear that everyone has been treated.

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. There are many different causes of hepatitis, not all of which are infections. Hepatitis A is not usually sexually transmitted, and is more likely to be caught from contaminated food. Hepatitis B is not very common in the UK, but it can be easily passed through sex. Over many years there is a risk that the inflammation in the liver could cause it to stop working, which is potentially dangerous. Hepatitis C is becoming more common in the UK. It is rarely passed on through sex, but can easily be passed on through blood. Treatments are becoming available for hepatitis B and C, although they are not always very effective

Herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), of which there are two types. HSV Type 1 is the main cause of cold sores around the mouth, but can be passed during oral sex to cause genital herpes. HSV Type 2 mainly affects the genital area, but can also be passed during oral sex to cause cold sores around the mouth. Although there is no cure for this infection, tablets can be taken that speed up the healing of the sores.

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) attacks the cells of the immune system and gradually reduces a person's ability to fight off other infections. It is most commonly passed on by sexual contact. For many years there may be no symptoms at all, but as the immune system begins to fail there may be minor symptoms as the person starts to develop troublesome infections. When certain life-threatening infections occur, the person is said to have AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome).

Non-specific urethritis (NSU) is an inflammation of the urethra in men. The condition is known as non-specific urethritis because sometimes the cause is unknown. The symptoms and treatment are the same as for chlamydia in men.

Pubic lice (crabs) are passed on by close body contact. Lice stick to the hairs of the pubic area and body hair. Eggs (nits) are laid, which also stick to the hairs. There may be no symptoms or some itchiness. Treatment is with lotions that kill the lice.

Syphilis used to be very rare in the UK, but it has recently become more common amongst gay men. It can be passed on by oral, vaginal and anal sex. There are three stages of infection. A painless sore may be followed by a rash all over the body. The third stage happens many years later and can affect the brain or heart. Diagnosis is by a blood test, and antibiotics are very effective.

Trichomonas (TV or trichs) is a rare sexually transmitted infection in the UK. Women with trichomonas tend to have an unpleasant yellow or green vaginal discharge, with some itchiness or soreness in the genital area. Men tend not to get any symptoms. It can be easily diagnosed by a swab test, and treated with antibiotics.