Menu Home > More services > Information and advice INFORMATION AND ADVICE Whether you have a question about STIs, testing or different types of contraception, you can read our comprehensive information and advice pages to help find the information you need. STIS CONTRACEPTION PREGNANCY HIV COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS About Referrals Contact Accessibility Cookies and Privacy Policy

Menu Home > More services > Information and advice > STIs STIS A sexually transmitted infection (STI) is any kind of bacterial or viral infection that can be passed on through sex. If you have had unprotected sex, it is important that you test for STIs as soon as possible. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve had sex or how many partners you’ve had: anyone can get an STI. STI testing and treatment is free for all ages so you won’t have to pay anything. Find out how to get a free STI test in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. If you have symptoms that you think might be an STI, you can now book an appointment online to get help from our team. WHAT IS UNPROTECTED SEX? Unprotected sex refers to any form of sexual contact where a barrier method of contraception (such as a condom or female/internal condom) has not been used. This includes: Vaginal sex (penis-in-vagina sex) Oral sex (mouth-to-genital contact) Anal sex (penis-in-anus sex) Fingering or hand jobs (hand-to-genital contact) If you have had unprotected vaginal sex, you also need to consider using emergency contraception. Find out more about emergency contraception. WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF STI? There are a number of different STIs. The good news is that most of them are easily treated, and getting tested and treated is free and confidential. See below for the different types of STIs, and useful information on getting tested. WHY SHOULD I HAVE AN STI TEST? Some STIs, like chlamydia and gonorrhoea, don’t always present symptoms so a person can have them without knowing. However, if you have had unprotected sex, it is important that you test for STIs as soon as possible as they can cause health problems at a later point and can be passed on to others if not treated. See below for more information about STIs and other infections. Read about why you should get tested. Remember: if you're over 16, you can order a free STI home test kit. Do I have an STI? I don't have symptoms... What are the symptoms of an STI? Is it always an STI? Where can I get tested for STIs? How do STI tests work? How are STIs treated? How can I protect myself from STIs? TYPES OF STI CHLAMYDIA GONORRHOEA SYPHILIS HIV HEPATITIS B HEPATITIS C GENITAL WARTS GENITAL HERPES TRICHOMONIASIS STI ADVICE About Referrals Contact Accessibility Cookies and Privacy Policy This website uses cookies to give you the best experience and help us improve site performance. To find out what cookies we use and how to disable non-essential ones, please read our privacy and cookies policy. Accept