Other STIs and BBVs
There are a lot of STIs and BBVs circulating in the population with a varying degree of severity, so to make sure you’re up-to-date with the latest information, feel free to read up on some of the more common and less serious from the below.
Genital warts
Genital warts are lumps on genital areas, such as the vagina, vulva, penis and scrotum. They are sexually transmitted and very common.
The warts can also appear on your cervix, around your anus and rectum (back passage), in your urethra (the tube that carries urine out of your body) or around your mouth.
Herpes
The herpes simplex virus is a virus spread through skin-to-skin contact, usually through sexual contact (but not always.
Herpes can be found in the genitals or around the mouth. It is an incredibly common virus with a high proportion of the population having it.
Despite being common, it is still widely misunderstood and highly stigmatised.
Human papillomavirus
There are over 100 different varieties of human papillomavirus (HPV), which are normally spread through skin-to-skin contact.
Most forms of HPV are harmless. Others can cause warts on the skin. Other variations of HPV can cause cancers, including of the cervix, anus and vagina.
Pubic Lice
Pubic lice or crabs are small parasites found in pubic hair. They can be spread through skin-to-skin contact or through contact with contaminated bedding and clothing.
Scabies
Scabies is caused by a mite which lays its eggs under the surface of your skin and reproduces.
Shigella
Shigellosis is an infection of the digestive tract caused by Shigella bacteria. It usually results in diarrhoea, which can be severe.
Shigella is usually contracted through eating or drinking something contaminated with the bacteria, touching contaminated surfaces (such as toilets, taps nappies), and can also be contracted from rimming someone who is infected.