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Sexual health awareness
Posted on behalf of: Student Communications
Last updated: Monday, 20 February 2023
Sex can be a fun and enjoyable part of many people’s university experience. At the same time, it is important to be mindful of the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
STIs are infections like chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, herpes and HIV that can be passed on through intimate sexual contact. Treating STIs, often with antibiotics, at the earliest opportunity is important in preventing long-term health problems. For example, gonorrhoea left untreated can cause serious complications linked to reproductive health and fertility.
Some strains of gonorrhoea have become resistant to antibiotics. This means that the most commonly used antibiotic to treat gonorrhoea in the UK would not easily help to treat this strain. Antibiotic resistance to gonorrhoea is most common in the Asia-Pacific region and occasionally detected in people in the UK who have moved from or visited this area.
Prevention
The best way to prevent the spread of STIs is by using condoms consistently and correctly when having sex. Different STIs can have different symptoms and some people might even be asymptomatic. If you’re having sex with new or casual partners, regular STI testing is essential for your overall health and wellbeing.
It is recommended that anyone having sex without a condom should get an STI screen, including a HIV test, at least annually. Sexually active women and those with a uterus or ovaries and aged under 25 should screen for chlamydia each year or when they change partners. Gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men should test for STIs and HIV every 3 months if having sex without a condom with new or casual partners.
On-campus and off-campus testing
STI testing is free - you do not need to pay. Use the link below to find a local sexual health service on the NHS website. Alternatively, you can also use online self-sampling services: Centres and services | Terrence Higgins Trust (tht.org.uk).
Testing sessions are offered at The Actors Bar (2nd Saturday of the month), and at the BMECP food bank on Friday 10 February. Weekly testing sessions are also available at the new LGBT night shelter on Monday evenings from 8pm-10pm.
Testing sessions are also taking place on campus every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month at Sussex Students' Union. There will be a HIV/STI testing session at the Students' Union from 11.30am-1.30pm on Monday 6 February during testing week. A vending machine is also located in the Falmer House reception area for students to access free STI tests for chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
Free contraception and pregnancy tests are available from the Student Centre welcome desk and the Students' Union reception desk in Falmer House.
For more information and advice on sexual health, please refer to the health and wellbeing pages on Student Hub.
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