Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV)

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) | NHS inform Home Illnesses and conditions Symptoms and self-help Tests and treatments Healthy living Care, support and rights Scotlands Service Directory 0 Home Illnesses and conditions Sexual and reproductive Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) British Sign Language (BSL) |  | Polski | Romn | slovenina Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a sexually transmitted infection. Its caused by a strain of chlamydia bacteria. LGV is rare in Scotland and is mostly found in men who have sex with men . LGV in women is very rare. Symptoms of LGV Most people with LGV dont notice any symptoms and dont know they have it. So its important to get tested if you think youre infected. If you do develop symptoms, you may experience: swollen lymph glands in the groin (in one or both sides) an ulcer or sore on the penis, vagina or around the anus You may notice some anal symptoms such as: blood or pus from the anus on underwear or toilet paper pain in the anal area when pooing or having receptive anal sex constipation, painful straining or diarrhoea when trying to poo a feeling of incomplete emptying after pooing Testing for LGV If you think you might have LGV, get tested for free by: booking an appointment at your local sexual health service contacting your GP practice for an appointment What does the LGV test involve? If you test positive for chlamydia , and your symptoms suggest that you might have LGV, the lab will do a further test for LGV. The test for LGV is simple, painless and very reliable. It involves sending a sample from the area of the body thought to be infected to a lab for analysis. This can take up to 3 weeks. The 2 main ways the sample can be collected are: using a swab  a small cotton bud is gently wiped over the area that might be infected, such as inside the vagina, throat, or inside the anus urine sample  this should ideally be done at least 1 or 2 hours after you last peed Your partner (s) for the past 3 months should also be tested for LGV. Treatment for LGV Antibiotics will treat the LGV infection. The result of the LGV test can take 3 weeks to come back, so your doctor may advise you to start treatment before the final result is available. If left untreated, LGV can cause scarring and swelling of the skin. It can also cause permanent swelling of the genitals. Rectal infection can also cause swelling and scarring resulting in the risk of long-term bowel complications. Rarely the infection may spread via the bloodstream causing inflammation of the joints or liver. To avoid passing LGV on to your partner(s) you should avoid having sex until both you and your partner have finished your treatment. How LGV is passed on You can get LGV by having unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex (sex without a condom). Your risk of getting LGV may be increased by: chemsex having group sex fisting sharing sex toys that arent washed or covered with a new condom each time theyre used How to prevent LGV The best way to reduce your risk of STIs is to practice safer sex . This means using a condom for vaginal, anal and oral sex. Other STIs If you have been diagnosed with LGV you should get tested for all STIs including: gonorrhoea syphilis HIV Source: Scottish Government - Opens in new browser window Last updated: 26 February 2024 How can we improve this page? Help us improve NHS inform Thank You Your feedback has been received Dont include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions. Email Address e.g. you@example.com Message Maximum of 500 characters Send feedback Other languages and formats British Sign Language (BSL) |  | Polski | Romn | slovenina British Sign Language (BSL) |  | Polski | Romn | slovenina Add this page to\n            Info For Me Also on NHS inform Book a sexual health appointment online Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) (BSL) Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) (Chinese) Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) (Polish) Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) (Romanian) Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) (Slovak) Other health sites BASHH: sexual health NHS inform About NHS inform Editorial policy Contact us Webchat Give feedback about NHS inform Info for Me tool Terms and conditions Privacy and cookies policy Freedom of information (FOI) Accessibility Other languages and formats  2023 NHS 24  v1.1.1.17852