Gonorrhea (the clap)

What goes wrong

Pus drips out the top of your penis. Women can get a horrid greenish discharge from their vagina, though up to 80% show no symptoms. If it’s not treated, it may gum up your tubes and stop you having babies.

It’s caused by

Having sex – including oral sex (which may give you a sore throat) – with someone who’s got the gonorrhea bacteria.

How not to get it

First – always use a condom. If you are a girl don’t sleep with any bloke who has a weeping willie. If you are a bloke don’t sleep with a girl who has any kind of funny discharge. But as you can’t always tell about either of these things – it is going to be a condom!

What to do if you do get it

Head for the doctors - or your local genito-urinary clinic (GUM). You’ll both need treatment with antibiotics (penicillin).