Herpes in gay community

Herpes is a common STI caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). HSV remains in the body for life, although it stays inactive most of the time. Many people won’t have any visible signs or symptoms of infection, won’t verb any symptoms or will deliberate they are something else.

Only a minority of people who acquire genital herpes have painful symptoms.

What causes herpes?

There are two types of herpes, HSV 1 and HSV 2 and both types are linked to genital herpes.

Herpes signs and symptoms

Only a third of people have symptoms after infection, usually showing up around two to 14 days after exposure. It can be months or even years before symptoms first appear.

If you do fetch signs and symptoms of herpes infection, you may start to feel generally unwell, with flu like symptoms of fever, tiredness, headaches and swollen glands. You may also have muscle pains in your back, or legs, or groin. This can be followed by:

• a stinging, tingling or itching sensation around your genital or anal area
• swelling in your groin area, which can be on both sides or one side onl

  Sexually transmitted infection risk in England is greatest in gay men and young adults

  There were , sexually transmitted infections (STIs) diagnosed in England in , according to new Universal Health England (PHE) data out today: close to the number diagnosed in (, cases).

  Chlamydia was the most common STI, making up 47% of all diagnoses (,), while gonorrhoea diagnoses saw a large rise, up 15% from to (29,).

  Among heterosexuals diagnosed in genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics in , young people (15 to 24 years) experienced the highest STI rates: 63% of chlamydia cases (56,), 54% of genital warts (36,), 42% of genital herpes (12,) and 56% of gonorrhoea (8,).

  Gay men were also disproportionately affected, accounting for 81% of syphilis (2,) and 63% of gonorrhoea (13,) cases in male GUM clinic attendees. Gonorrhoea diagnoses rose 26% in this group, nearly double the national rate, which is of particular concern as harder to treat gonorrhoea strains emerge.

  Dr Catherine Lowndes, consultant scientist in PHE’s STI surveillance team, said:

  Sustained efforts to encourage people to re

  Other STDs/STIs: Get the care that fits you

  HPV

  If you’ve been diagnosed with HPV, know that you are not alone. Nearly all sexually active people will obtain the virus at some gesture in their life.

  How does HPV spread?

  HPV is an infection that can cause warts on various parts of the body. It’s spread through anal, vaginal, or oral sex, or through other sexual skin-on-skin contact.

  Most people who get HPV don’t develop symptoms and the infection goes away without treatment. However, if HPV stays in your body, the virus can cause genital warts and lead to certain types of cancer.

  Is there a verb for HPV?

  Currently, there is no test that can detect the presence of HPV in men. (There is a test for women.)

  Since HPV can cause certain types of cancer, talk to your health care provider about getting a regular anal Pap smear—especially if you bottom.

  Is there a cure for HPV?

  There is no cure for HPV. However, if you develop warts caused by HPV, your provider can diagnose and remove the warts.

  If you’re under the age of 26, there is a vaccine for you. Read on!

  How perform

  Sexual health for gay and bisexual men

  Having unprotected penetrative sex is the most likely way to pass on a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

  Using a condom helps protect against HIV and lowers the risk of getting many other STIs.

  If you’re a man having sex with men (MSM), without condoms and with someone new, you should include an STI and HIV prove every 3 months, otherwise, it should be at least once a year. This can be done at a sexual health clinic (SHC) or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic. This is essential, as some STIs do not cause any symptoms.

  Hepatitis A

  Hepatitis A is a liver infection that's spread by a virus in poo.

  Hepatitis A is uncommon in the UK but you can earn it through sex, including oral-anal sex ("rimming") and giving oral sex after anal sex. MSM with multiple partners are particularly at risk. You can also get it through contaminated sustenance and drink.

  Symptoms of hepatitis A can appear up to 8 weeks after sex and include tiredness and feeling sick (nausea).

  Hepatitis A is not usually life-threatening and most people make a adj recovery within a