Prevention
Using condoms is the best way to prevent STI - Free Condoms by Post
For people who are not able or choose not to use condoms, there are other interventions available, that may be recommended to help protect yourself and partners from STI. These interventions do NOT protect against all STI's.
HIV PrEP
HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (HIV PrEP) is medication taken before unprotected sex to protect against acquiring HIV. It is recommended for people who increased risk of acquiring HIV. This medication usually consists of a tablet either taken daily (daily dosing), or taken for 3 days starting before sex and continued for 2 days after (event based dosing) For more information and to see if you might benefit click here or talk to one of our nurses or doctors at Highland Sexual Health.
HIV PEP
If you think you have had a potential exposure to HIV infection, HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (HIV PEP) may be recommended. HIV PEP is a 28 day course of HIV medication to prevent acquiring the infection. It needs to be started as soon as possible can be started up to 72 hours after potential exposure.
To access this treatment within the Highland region you can contact Highland Sexual Health within normal working hours. Out of hours, access is via your nearest A&E department.
For more information go to HIV | NHS inform
Vaccinations
Hepatitis B vaccination
Hepatitis B is a serious infection that affects the liver. It can be passed on by unprotected sex or from mother to child.
Vaccination is recommended for anyone who is at increased risk of exposure to Hepatitis B infection. At Highland sexual health we offer this to people at risk of sexual exposure. To access vaccination for occupation or travel please contact your occupational health department, travel clinic or GP.
Hepatitis B vaccination is very effective at preventing hepatitis B infection. It is usually a 3 dose course of vaccinations, given over 2-6 months. Sometimes a booster dose is required after 12 months.
More information here
Hepatitis A vaccination
Hepatitis A is an infection that affects the liver, passed on via contaminated food or intimate sexual contact.
Infection can be prevented with a course of vaccinations, which usually consists of 2 doses 2-12 months apart. A combination vaccination of hepatitis A and B is also available for people requiring both vaccinations. Vaccination is recommended for people at increased risk of infection.
How to access the vaccine: Highland sexual health offers vaccination to protect people at increased risk of exposure via sex.
More information here
HPV vaccine
Human papilloma virus (HPV) causes genital warts and ano-genital cancers. There are different strains of HPV, some are more likely to cause warts (low risk HPV) and some can lead to pre-cancerous lesions that may develop into cancer (high risk HPV). The HPV vaccine gives protection from 2 of the commonest low risk strains, and 7 of the commonest high risk strains of HPV.
HPV vaccination is recommended to secondary school children aged 11-13.
Gay and bisexual and other men who have sex with men under the age of 46 and people living with HIV who have not been vaccinated can access the vaccine via sexual health services.
Anyone aged 24 and under who has not had the HPV vaccine can contact their GP or school vaccinations team.
More information is available here
MPox vaccine
MPox (formerly known as Monkey pox) is a rare infection passed on through skin contact. The chance of catching MPox in Scotland is low.
Vaccination is recommended for people who are at higher risk of the infection. This includes gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, who have multiple partners, take part in group sex, have had a bacterial STI in the past year; some trans and non-binary people with similar risks; some healthcare staff who may care for people with MPox.
MPox vaccination course is usually 2 doses at least 1 month apart. It can be accessed via sexual health services.
More information here
4CMenB Gonorrhoea Vaccine
Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection that can cause serious problems if not treated [hyper link to the HSH gonorrhoea page]. Vaccination with the 4CMenB vaccine gives up to 40% protection from infection. It is recommended for people at increased risk of infection, including some gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men and other people who may be at increased risk.
The 4CMenB vaccine course consists of 2 injections at least a month apart.
If you think you could benefit, or would like to know more see information here or speak to a nurse or doctor at your nearest sexual health clinic.
Doxy PEP
Doxycycline post exposure prophylaxis (doxyPEP) is 2x 100mg tablets of doxycycline taken as soon as possible, within 72hours of unprotected sex to prevent syphilis infection. It also protects against Chlamydia infection, but not against other STI. It is recommended to certain people at higher risk of syphilis infection, including gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men with multiple sexual partners, and other people at similar risk.
If you think you could benefit from doxyPEP or want to know more, speak to a nurse or doctor at your nearest sexual health service. More information is also available here.