According to data released by Public Health England (PHE), in 2020 diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) decreased by 32% compared to 2019.

While on paper this sounds like very good news, looking at influences in 2020, we can see that this reduction is due in large part to fewer people accessing testing while the NHS ran reduced services during the pandemic.

We also saw people change their behaviours during lockdown, with less opportunity for social encounters which could lead to the spread of infections.

But now, as the world opens back up, the risks of sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise. Avoiding diseases by using protection is the first port of call but, if you are concerned that you may have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection, you may want to consider getting a private blood test for peace of mind.

The effects of different sexually transmitted infections

There are many different sexually transmitted infections circulating in the population which you could be at risk of catching if you do not use protection. Some of these infections are more serious than others and can lead to long term health complications if not caught early and treated properly. Let’s take a look at some of the more common STIs.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is the term used to describe inflammation of the liver. It's usually the result of a viral infection or liver damage caused by drinking alcohol. There are several different types of hepatitis, including:

• Hepatitis A

Caused by the hepatitis A virus, Hepatitis A is usually caught by consuming food and drink contaminated with the faeces of an infected person and is most common in countries where sanitation is poor.

Hepatitis A usually passes within a few months, although it can occasionally be severe and even life threatening. There's no specific treatment for it, other than to relieve symptoms like pain, nausea and itching.

• Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B, caused by the hepatitis B virus, is spread in the blood of an infected person. It's a common infection worldwide and is usually passed on from infected pregnant women to their babies. In rare cases, it can be spread through unprotected sex.

Most adults infected with hepatitis B fully recover from the infection within a couple of months. But most people infected as children develop a long-term infection known as chronic hepatitis B which can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.

• Hepatitis C

Caused by the hepatitis C virus, hepatitis C is the most common type of viral hepatitis in the UK. It's usually spread through blood-to-blood contact with an infected person.

Hepatitis C often causes no noticeable symptoms, or only flu-like symptoms, making it harder to spot initially. Around 1 in 4 people will fight off the infection and be free of the virus. But in the remaining cases, it can stay in the body for many years.

• Hepatitis D

Caused by the hepatitis D virus, hepatitis D only affects people who are already infected with hepatitis B, as it needs the hepatitis B virus to be able to survive in the body.

Hepatitis D is usually spread through blood-to-blood contact or sexual contact. It's uncommon in the UK, but is more widespread in other parts of Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South America.

• Hepatitis E

Hepatitis E, caused by the hepatitis E virus, is now the most common cause of short-term hepatitis in the UK. It’s generally a mild infection that does not require any treatment, but it can be serious in people with a weakened immune system.

HIV

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that damages the cells in your immune system, weakening your ability to fight everyday infections and disease.

AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is the name used to describe potentially life-threatening infections and illnesses that happen when your immune system has been damaged by the HIV virus.

AIDS cannot be transmitted from one person to another, but the HIV virus can. HIV is found in the bodily fluids of an infected person. This includes semen, vaginal and anal fluids, blood, and breast milk. The most common way of contracting HIV in the UK is through unprotected sex.

Herpes

Genital herpes is an STI passed on through unprotected sex. Symptoms, such as sores and painful urination, can clear up on their own but can also flare up in the future.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that's usually passed on through unprotected sex.

While syphilis can be treated with a short course of antibiotics, you can go on to catch it more than once, even if you have been treated for it before. If left untreated for years, syphilis can spread to the brain or other parts of the body and cause serious long-term problems

Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea, which used to be known as “the clap”, is caused by bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae or gonococcus. These bacteria are mainly found in discharge from the penis and in vaginal fluid and are passed on through unprotected sex.

Typical symptoms of gonorrhoea include a thick green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis, pain when urinating and, in women, bleeding between periods. Around 1 in 10 infected men and almost half of infected women do not experience any symptoms.