In recent years, the largest number of cases of infection develop in the rectum.

• Within a few weeks of becoming infected, most people get painful inflammation in the rectum (known as ‘proctitis’) with bleeding, pus, constipation or ulcers.
• You can also get a fever, rash and swelling in your groin, armpit or neck.
• A small sore might appear where the bacteria got into your body, but most people don’t notice one.

Left untreated, LGV can cause lasting damage to the rectum that may require surgery.

LGV in the penis might cause a discharge and pain when urinating, with swollen glands in the groin.

LGV in the mouth or throat is rare but can cause swollen glands in the neck.

How it’s passed on

LGV bacteria usually enter the body through the delicate, moist skin of the rectum and penis.

Women can also get infected through the vagina. Infection through the mouth and throat is possible but rare.

Gay and bisexual men have contracted LGV from having anal sex without condoms and from fisting – when a hand is inserted into a partner’s rectum.

The bacteria can also be carried from one rectum to another:

• during group sex
• on objects such as sex toys, fingers, enema equipment, condoms or latex gloves.

Cover anything which is moved from one rectum to another with a fresh condom or fresh latex glove for each new person it enters, or clean it with warm water and anti-bacterial soap.

Enema equipment should not be shared.

Having LGV could make it easier for you to get or pass on HIV. But if you have HIV and your treatment has made your viral load undetectable then LGV and other infections don’t appear to make you more likely to pass on HIV.

Testing for LGV

If you have LGV symptoms, a venereologist/urologist/gynecologist will use a swab (a small cotton bud) to take a sample from your rectum, penis or vulva, dependent on disease symptoms. Samples are first tested for chlamydia. If this test result is ‘positive’, samples will be tested for LGV.

People you’ve had sex with also need to get checked.

Remember, the more people you have sex with (especially unprotected sex), the more chance you have of contracting infections such as LGV. You can have these infections without knowing, so regular check-ups are a good idea. This is especially the case if you’re starting a new relationship and/or you want to stop using condoms with your partner.

Antibiotics cure LGV with no lasting effects as long as the infection is treated early enough.

Don’t have sex until treatment has finished or you could pass on the infection.

Most people get tested and treated for infections like LGV at venereologist/urologist/gynecologist’s appointment. It’s free and confidential – no-one else, including your GP, will be told about your visit. 

If you live with HIV

If diagnosed early, LGV is easily treatable. HIV infection doesn’t affect the treatment regimen.

When you have LGV, it may put your HIV-negative partners at a higher probability of getting HIV from you. This is because STIs often manifest with ulcers, sores, inflammation or broken skin, and they may allow HIV to leave your body and expose your partner more easily. Additionally, people living with HIV having an STI have more HIV in their semen (cum), causing HIV transmission more likely.

If your viral load stays undetectable and CD4 count remains average, you don’t have to worry – there is no risk of sexually transmitting HIV to HIV-negative partners, even if you have STI.

Certain medications for HIV can have unwanted interactions with drugs used for LGV treatment. So, your doctor should be aware of your HIV status and choose the proper treatment. You can verify HIV and non-HIV drug interactions at www.hiv-druginteractions.org/checker.

If you don’t live with HIV

If you have LGV, you are more likely to get HIV than someone STI-free. This is because the same types of behaviour and conditions that may put you at risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection STI increase the risk of getting HIV. The presence of STI manifestations such as ulcers, sores, inflammation or broken skin caused by STI may allow HIV to enter your body more easily.