Gay bacteria

Back to Sexual health. Having unprotected penetrative sex is the most likely way to pass on a sexually transmitted infection STI. This is important, as some STIs do not cause any symptoms. Hepatitis A is a liver infection that's spread by a virus in poo. Hepatitis A is uncommon in the UK but you can get it through sex, including oral-anal sex "rimming" and giving oral sex after anal sex.

MSM with multiple partners are particularly at risk. You can also get it through contaminated food and drink. Symptoms of hepatitis A can appear up to 8 weeks after sex and include tiredness and feeling sick nausea. Hepatitis A is not usually life-threatening and most people make a full recovery within a couple of months.

If you think you might have hepatitis A, or have any questions, visit a sexual health clinic or GUM clinic. The hepatitis A vaccine is available for people at higher risk, including MSM with multiple partners. Hepatitis B is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver.

It does not usually cause obvious gay bacteria and may pass in a few months without treatment. However in some cases the infection can persist and cause serious liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. Hepatitis B is spread through contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person.

MSM are at risk of hepatitis B but they can be protected by the hepatitis B vaccination. Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. It often does not gay bacteria any obvious symptoms at first, but it can lead to serious liver disease if left untreated.

It is spread through contact with the blood of an infected person. Men who are concerned they are at risk should consult their doctor, sexual health clinic or GUM clinic. This bacterial infection causes stinging when you pee, or the feeling that you want to pee but are unable to.

It's passed on through anal, oral or vaginal sex with an infected person.

Sexual health for gay and bisexual men

This is inflammation of the urethra the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body caused by bacteria. It is also called non-gonococcal urethritis NGU when the condition is not caused by gonorrhoea. NSU is passed on in the same way as gonorrhoea and often has similar symptoms.

It can also be caused by having lots of sex or masturbating a lot, which gay bacteria make the urethra inflamed. This is a bacterial infection of the urethra, testicles or bottom rectum. It can also affect the throat and eyes, but this is less common. Chlamydia may cause a discharge, pain when you pee, or pain in the testicles.

However, not everyone has symptoms. It can be passed on during sex with an infected person in the same way as gonorrhoea.