If you’re HIV positive…
- Having an untreated STI can cause more HIV to be made in your body. This could affect your health. It might also make it more likely HIV is passed on if you have unprotected sex.
- If HIV has weakened your immune system, you may be more likely to pick up STIs.
- A weaker immune system makes some STIs (like thrush and molluscum) more common in people with HIV. Others (like herpes or warts) might be harder to treat and symptoms might be worse.
- Of gay men who get syphilis, a lot have HIV too. Ask your sexual health or HIV clinic for a syphilis blood test every 6 months, especially if you have sex with lots of men.
- Anyone having unprotected sex is more likely to pick up STIs. Men with HIV who have anal sex without condoms make up a large number of recent cases of syphilis, LGV or hepatitis C.
- You can still be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B if you have HIV - click here for more information.
This article was last reviewed on: 21/10/11
Date due for next review: 21/10/13
