What Are STIs and How to Prevent Them
STIs are infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites passed from one person to another during sex, oral, vaginal, or anal sex. Some can also be passed by close skin-to-skin contact. The terms STD and STI are sometimes used to mean the same thing.
Symptoms
Genital sores, ulcers, or blisters
Oral sores, ulcers, or blisters
Vaginal discharge or odor
Vaginal pain or burning
Pain with urination
Pain with sex
Fever or chills
Sometimes there are no symptoms
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is caused by a bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis and is one of the more common STIs. Symptoms can include:
Strong-smelling vaginal discharge
Burning when you pee
Pain with sex
Fever
Upset stomach
Lower abdominal pain
If untreated, chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) as it spreads to the uterus and fallopian tubes, which can cause fever, pain, and infertility.
Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics, start treatment as early as possible to prevent long-term damage.
Gonorrhea You can get it through contact with the mouth, throat, eyes, urethra, vagina, penis, or anus. Over one million cases occur in the United States each year.
Symptoms can be very mild. They include:
Burning and pain while urinating
Sore throat
Painful sexual intercourse
Severe pain in the lower abdomen (if the infection spreads to the fallopian tubes and uterus area)
Fever (if the infection spreads to the fallopian tubes and uterus area)
Abnormal uterine bleeding
Bleeding after sex
Abnormal vaginal discharge with greenish, yellow or foul smelling discharge
Hepatitis B and C There are several types of hepatitis. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are transmitted via sex. Hepatitis is a viral disease that leads to swelling or inflammation of the liver.
Hepatitis B has a vaccine for prevention. While hepatitis C doesn’t have a vaccine, treatment is available.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When a person becomes infected with HIV, the virus attacks and weakens the immune system. As the immune system weakens, the person is at risk of getting life-threatening infections and cancers. When that happens, the illness is called AIDS. Once a person has the virus, it stays inside the body for life.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) HPV refers to a group of more than 200 viruses, about 40 of which spread via sexual contact. In many cases, HPV resolves on its own, but some HPV viruses can cause cervical, oral, and anal cancer.
If you are sexually active, there is a chance that you have been exposed to the human papillomavirus (HPV). It is a very common sexually transmitted virus that affects approximately 79 million people. It affects people of all ages but is most common among 25- to 35-year-olds.
Herpes Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) spread by skin-to-skin contact. The risk of infection is highest during outbreak periods when there are visible sores and lesions. However, genital herpes can also be transmitted when there are no visible symptoms. Most new cases of genital herpes infection do not cause symptoms, and many people infected with HSV-2 are unaware that they have genital herpes.
There are two forms of HSV:
Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). The usual cause of oral herpes (herpes labialis), which are commonly called cold sores or fever blisters. HSV-1 can also cause genital herpes, which is a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2). The usual cause of genital herpes, but it can also cause oral herpes.
Syphilis Syphilis is a bacterial infection usually spread by sexual contact. The disease starts as a painless sore — typically on the genitals, rectum or mouth. Syphilis spreads from person to person via skin or mucous membrane contact with these sores.
After the initial infection, the syphilis bacteria can remain inactive in the body for decades before becoming active again. Early syphilis can be cured, sometimes with a single shot (injection) of penicillin.
Without treatment, syphilis can severely damage the heart, brain or other organs, and can be life-threatening. Syphilis can also be passed from mothers to unborn children.
Mycoplasma Genitalium
Mycoplasma can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Some of the complications of PID are:
Formation of scar tissue that blocks fallopian tubes;
Ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus);
Infertility (not being able to get pregnant); and
Long-term pelvic/abdominal pain.
Pubic Lice Pubic lice (AKA crabs) are parasites that live in pubic hair. They can cause intense itching. You can get pubic lice from skin-to-skin contact, clothes, or bedding. Lice can be treated with lotions that kill the eggs and lice.
Trichomoniasis Trichomoniasis is transmitted during sex. It is also a parasite. The main symptoms include:
Green discharge
Pain during sex
Pain with urination
Vaginal odor
Burning in the vagina
Prevention Using a condom correctly every time you have sex can help you avoid STDs. Condoms lessen the risk of infection for all STDs.
Testing for STIs Regular STI testing may be a good idea for certain people. If you have a new partner, STI testing along with honest and open communication is key to a safe relationship. If you are in a new relationship or have multiple partners, get tested. Testing before starting a sexual relationship is a good idea.
Practice Safer Sex
Wash sex toys
Condom use
Partner communication
Limit sex partners (more partners means a higher risk of contracting STIs)
STD testing for your partner and you