Young people are growing up unaware of the safe sex warnings which accompanied Aids awareness campaigns in the 1980s and cases of sexually transmitted diseases are rising as a result. The latest figures from the Public Health Laboratory indicate one in ten teenagers is affected with a sexually transmitted disease.

Condoms are the only forms of contraception to prevent sexually transmitted infections ( STIs ) being passed from one person to another. STIs include chlamydia , gonorrhoea, syphilis, and the HIV virus, which can lead to AIDS.

Chlamydia
A very common Bacterial infection especially in sexually active young people. It is easily passed on from one person to another and sometimes a person may not even know he/she has it.

Genital Herpes
Genital Herpes are really another form of cold sores like the ones people get around their mouths except this type affect you vagina or penis. .

Genital Warts
Genital warts are a virus, they can look like regular warts or just like an area of inflamed skin. It is possible to have them without knowing and is one of the most common STIs .

Gonorrhoea
Another bacterial infection often know an "The Clap". Gonorrhoea is very infectious and easily passed on. About 1 in 10 men and 1 in 2 Women who have Gonorrhoea have no symptoms ...... so don't think you can tell just by looking!

HIV and AIDS
If you haven't heard about HIV and AIDS where have you been for the past ten years? HIV and AIDS are a deadly infection which can be caught by the exchange of body fluids such as blood, semen etc.

Pubic lice
Pubic Lice are small (2mm long) bugs that live amongst body hair, particularly in the Genital area. You might see the actual creatures or you might just see tiny red blotches where you have been bitten by them. They can be passed on just by very close contact with an infected person but it is more usually through sexual contact. Treatment is easily carried out using a special shampoo.

Scabies
Scabies is a skin infection caused by a tiny mite (a mite is a small creature). Symptoms can be itching or soreness of the skin. It is easily treated and is not a real threat to long term health.

Syphilis
Often called "The Pox" Syphilis can be very dangerous to your health if not treated with anti- biotics . In the early stages it can be difficult to spot any symptoms but in the later stage the infected areas can be covered in a non-itchy rash or wart like lumps.

Trichomonas
The full name of this infection is Trichomonas vaginalis and is known as "TV". It is called by a tiny parasite found in the urethra ( the tube in men and women where urine comes out). It can sometimes be noticed from pain when going for a pee.

Thrush
Thrush is caused by a yeast (substance) which is on the skin, in the mouth and in the vagina. Everyone has this yeast but it does not normally cause an infection, this only happens when a change in the body causes it to multiply. You can develop Thrush without contacting an infected person as it can start up through wearing tight trousers or underwear, when you are ill or if medicines you are taking change the chemical balance of your body. Although sexual contact doesn't cause it, it can pass it on.

Non-specific urethritis
NSU is an infection of the urethra ( the tube in men and women where urine comes out). It is called "non-specific" because it can be caused by a number of different other infections like the ones listed above. It does not pose a serious health threat and can be easily treated with antibiotics.