Sexual Health Advice - Patient Information Leaflets
The webpages and PDF leaflets provide an overview of the type of genitourinary conditions the Lambda Sexual Health Clinic (also referred to as GUM clinic or clap clinic) can treat.
You can find out more about the following infections by using the menu
on the right hand side of this page or you can download a PDF version of
the webpages.
The PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view. Download
Acrobat Reader 
Bacterial Vaginosis
Chlamydia
Genital Herpes
Genital Warts
Gonorrhoea
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
HIV and AIDS
Non-Specific Urethritis (NSU)
Pubic Lice
PSA Test for Prostate Cancer
Scabies
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STis)
Syphilis
Trush
Trichomonas Vaginalis
Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a very common condition of the vagina. It is
caused by an overgrowth of various bacteria (germs). At least 1 in 10 women
will have bacterial vaginosis at some time in their life. The cause of bacterial
vaginosis is not really understood, but it is likely to occur when the pH
(acid/alkali balance) of the vagina is altered in women. Men do NOT get
bacterial vaginosis. Up to half of women have no symptoms, so you may not
know you have bacterial vaginosis. Download
PDF file
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most commonly sexually transmitted infection (STI) in
the UK. It is an infection caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trochamatis.
The bacteria can live inside the cells of the cervix (neck of the womb),
the urethra (tube where urine comes out), the rectum (back passage) and
sometimes the throat and eyes. Often there are no symptoms, or they may
be so mild you do not know you have it. You can be infected with Chlamydia
for months, even years, without realising it. You can also easily pass it
on to others without realising. Download
PDF file
Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is an infection of the genitals (penis in men, vulva and
vagina in women) and surrounding area of skin. It is caused by the herpes
simplex virus. The buttocks and anus may also be affected. There are two
types of herpes simplex virus: Type 1 herpes simplex virus is the usual
cause of cold sores around the mouth. It also causes up to half of the cases
of genital herpes. Type 2 herpes simplex virus usually only causes genital
herpes. It can sometimes cause cold sores. Download
PDF file
Genital Warts
Genital warts (usually called anogenital warts) are small lumps that develop
on the genitals and/or around the anus (back passage). They are caused by
a virus called the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). There are over 90 types
of this virus. Most anogenital warts are caused by types 6 or 11. 'Common
warts' that many people have on their hands and feet are caused by a different
type of HPV. Download
PDF file
Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is an infection caused by a bacterium (germ) called the gonococcus.
The bacterium usually lives inside the cells of the cervix (entrance to
the womb), the urethra (tube where urine comes out), the rectum (the back
passage), the throat and occasionally the eyes. Download
PDF file
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B means inflammation of the liver. There are many causes of hepatitis.
For example, alcohol excess and several different viruses can cause hepatitis.
One virus that causes hepatitis is called the hepatitis B virus. Download
PDF file
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C means inflammation of the liver. There are many causes of hepatitis.
For example, alcohol excess and various infections. Several different viruses
can infect the liver and cause hepatitis. One type of virus which causes
hepatitis is called the hepatitis C virus.
Download PDF file
HIV and AIDS
HIV and AIDS stand for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a retrovirus. HIV destroys specific cells in the body called CD4 T-cells. These cells are part of the body's immune system (the body's defence against disease) so it can no longer fight off certain infection and diseases.
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. This is a term which covers the range of infections and illnesses which can result from a 'weakened' immune system caused by HIV.
Note: when you are first infected with HIV you do not have AIDS. There
is usually a time lag of several years between first being infected with
HIV, and then developing infections and other AIDS related problems. Download
PDF file
Non-Specific Urethritis (NSU)
Non-Specific Urethritis
(NSU) or Gonococcal urethritis is caused by a bacterium (germ) called gonorrhoea.
This is a type of sexually transmitted infection (STI). A separate leaflet
or webpage describes gonorrhoea in more detail.
Non-specific urethritis (NSU) is due to causes other than gonorrhoea. This
is sometimes called non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU). Some men have both
gonococcal and non-specific urethritis at the same time. Download
PDF file
Pubic Lice
Pubic Lice are tiny insects about 1 - 2 mm long. They are grey or brown in colour. They have a crab like appearance, so are often known as 'crabs'. They lay eggs which are known as 'nits'. These appear as brown dots fixed to the hair.
They commonly affect the pubic hair. However, they may also affect hair
around the anus, underarm hair, beards, chest, and body hair. Eyelashes
and eyebrows are occasionally affected. Scalp hair is a different type of
hair, and is not usually affected. A different kind of louse called the
head louse usually infests scalp hair. Download
PDF file
PSA Test for Prostate Cancer
The symptom of prostate cancer can be similar to benign prostatic enlargement. Prostate cancer is a common cancer in older men. Every year in the UK about 22,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. About 8 in 10 cases occur in men over the age of 65. It is rare in men under 50. Unlike many other cancers, prostate cancer is often present for years without realising it. This is because in many cases the cancer is slow growing and can take many years to cause any symptoms. By the age of 80, more than half of all men will have some cancer cells in their prostate - but only 1 in 30 of them will actually die from it.
PSA stands for Prostate Specific Antigen which is a protein made by the
prostate which naturally leaks in to the bloodstream. PSA test for prostate cancer is a blood
test that measures the level of PSA in your blood. Download
PDF file
Scabies
Scabies is caused by a mite (a tiny insect). They are about 0.4 mm long
i.e. smaller than a pinhead. The eggs hatch into mites after a few days.
Download PDF file
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
A sexual transmitted infection (STI) is an infection that can be passed
from person to person when having sex. You can get a sexually transmitted
infection by having vaginal sex, anal sex, or oral sex. You do not need
to have lots of sexual partners to get an STI. Both men and women can get
and pass on STIs. Download
PDF file
Syphilis
Syphilis is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Treponema
pallidum. It is easily passed from one person to another through sexual
contact. You can pass syphilis on without knowing you have the infection
because symptoms can be mild and you may not notice or recognise them. Download
PDF file
Trush
Thrush is an infection caused by a yeast called candida. Small numbers
of candida commonly live harmlessly on the skin and in the mouth, gut and
vagina. The immune system and the harmless bacteria usually stop candida
from thriving. However, occasionally conditions change and the yeast increases
rapidly causing symptoms. The conditions candida likes best are warm, moist,
airless parts of the body. This is why the vagina is the most common site
for candida infection. Other areas of the body which are prone to candida
infection include the groin, the mouth, and the nappy area in babies. Download
PDF file
Trichomonas Vaginalis
Trichomonas vaginalis, sometimes called TV, is an infection caused by
a tiny parasite. It can infect the genital area i.e. vagina, urethra and
sometimes the prostate gland in men. The infection does not usually go further
into the body and so does not tend to be as serious as other sexually transmitted
infections. Download
PDF file
