With temperatures hovering throughout the nation, many Brits discover themselves coping with chapped and dry lips resulting from elevated solar publicity.

However, sharing lip merchandise, similar to chapsticks or lip balms could pose a danger of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs), in response to guide gynaecologist Mr Dirk Brinkmann from Spire Hospital.

Mr Dirk stated: "If someone has oral herpes and uses lip balm soon after oral sex, the lip balm may carry the infection."

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) lately reported a 24 % rise in STIs in England in 2022, with a complete of 392,453 instances.

While sufferers with STIs are sometimes handled with antibiotics, some signs can go undetected, resulting in the event of extra severe points.

Mr Dirk warned that untreated STIs can improve the danger of buying one other STI, together with HIV. He stated: "Untreated STIs can cause a range of complications and long-term health problems, including permanent infertility, as well as an increased risk of gynaecological cancer."

Research has already established a hyperlink between oral intercourse and numerous types of most cancers, together with these affecting the penis, anus, vagina, vulva, throat, and head. This is as a result of human papillomavirus (HPV), which may be transmitted by any type of skin-to-skin contact, together with kissing and sexual exercise.

There are greater than 200 totally different strains of HPV, with HPV16 and HPV18 being answerable for most HPV-related cancers. While many strains are thought-about low danger, it's important to concentrate on the potential risks related to sure sorts.

Lesser identified HIV signs

Mr Dirk has highlighted the lesser-known signs of STIs which are sometimes neglected. For instance, heavy durations in girls can generally be an indication of an STI similar to chlamydia or gonorrhoea. Early HIV infections may be mistaken for flu-like signs, together with headaches, fever, chills, weak point, and a sore throat.

Chlamydia and gonorrhoea may be misinterpreted as an upset abdomen as they'll unfold shortly to the pelvic and belly areas, inflicting belly ache. They might also trigger joint ache resembling arthritis and eye infections. Body rashes and hives may be mistaken for allergic reactions, regardless of being attributable to HIV or syphilis infections.

If you believe you studied you will have been uncovered to an STI, it's essential to hunt medical consideration. Mr Dirk stated: "This may include urine tests, blood tests and swab tests, where cells are collected from your genitals, mouth, skin, throat and/or bottom using a swab. You can also have a physical examination."

The NHS has offered an inventory of warning indicators for STIs that people ought to concentrate on, together with:

• Unusual discharge from the vagina, penis, or anus
• Pain throughout urination
• Lumps or pores and skin growths across the genitals or anus
• Rashes
• Unusual vaginal bleeding
• Itching within the genital or anal space
• Blisters and sores across the genitals or anus
• Warts across the genitals or anus
• Warts within the mouth or throat (uncommon).

STIs are sometimes transmitted by sexual exercise or intimate contact. They may be attributable to micro organism, viruses, or parasites handed between companions throughout oral, vaginal, or anal intercourse if a condom isn't used. Infections may also happen non-sexually by being pregnant or childbirth, blood transfusions, shared needles, and skin-to-skin contact.

The NHS explains that the most typical STIs embrace:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhoea
• Trichomoniasis
• Genital warts
• Genital herpes
• Pubic lice
• Scabies
• Syphilis
• Human papillomavirus (HPV).

This article was crafted with the assistance of AI instruments, which velocity up Express.co.uk’s editorial analysis. A news editor reviewed this content material earlier than it was printed. You can report any errors to readercomplaints@reachplc.com.