theChat.scot

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Talking about Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV

A chat about STIs or HIV might be part of ongoing bigger chats about delaying sex, or the age of consent, or sexual health. Most STI diagnosis in Scotland are in young people, we can use our chats to help build an understanding that our teenage children, when they do have sexual relationships, can protect themselves.

There is quite a lot of information here. You can use as much as you need in any initial response to a question or the kind of chat you have when the time is right.

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What is a STI (sexually transmitted infection)?

STI stands for Sexually Transmitted Infection. Most STI diagnosis in Scotland are in young people under the age of 25.

STI’s can be passed on through unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex. Unprotected means sex without a condom. Some STI’s can be passed on by close bodily contact such as being naked and intimate together. Most people in the UK diagnosed with HIV acquired the virus through unprotected (no condoms) vaginal or anal sex.

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Talking about how to protect yourself

To protect yourself there’s things you can do. You can choose not to have sex, or if you have sex to use condoms.

Some STI’s you can get a vaccine to prevent. If you are at risk of HIV there are tablets you can take to prevent infection. You can get more advice on these from a nurse or doctor at a sexual health clinic.

If you ever have a worry about STIs speak to me (or name an adult they trust) and we can find the best clinic for you to go for a check-up.

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Things to remember

Anything that is different or unusual about your genitals (private parts) or body like rashes, blisters, itchiness or spots needs to be checked out at a clinic.

You can get tested for all the STIs. By getting tested you know if you have an STI. If you do, you can get treatment. Remember that not all STIs have symptoms, so when you are sexually active it’s a good idea to have a regular check-up.

Some young people say they don’t go for testing because they feel embarrassed, or they don’t have symptoms, or they worry it isn’t confidential. People can worry about what a positive result might mean. These are big concerns, but the clinics where you go are confidential and the staff are experts and want to do their best for young people.

You might want to look at: Talking About Finding and using sexual health services for more detail on chatting about services.

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Talking about condoms

You might want to look at: Talking About Condoms for more detail than this, but this short bit of text offers the basics. The short films are also helpful.

Condoms offer protection too. If an adult has an infection called a sexually transmitted infection (STI) it can be passed on to another person when they have sex.  If a man or woman uses a condom this protects them from many STIs.

Free condoms are available in many places such as local health clinics, youth clubs, community centres, young people’s drop-ins as part of local free condoms services.

You can buy condoms and lube in a lot of shops and supermarkets but the condoms you get for free are just as effective as those you can buy.

A short film made by NHS explaining how to use a condom.

A short film made by Brook explaining how to use a female/internal condom.

Animation from amaze.org