Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

What it is: A bacterial infection that can cause long-term health problems if left untreated.

How you get it: Chlamydia is transmitted through sexual contact and the exchange of bodily fluids in vaginal secretions or semen (cum). Chlamydia infections can occur in the vagina, penis, anus, throat, and eyes.

Symptoms: Sometimes people don’t have any symptoms of the infection.

For someone with a vagina, symptoms can be:

abnormal vaginal discharge

burning feeling when peeing

lower back/abdominal pain

pain during sex

fever, nausea, bleeding between periods

For someone with a penis, symptoms can be:

discharge from penis

burning feeling when peeing

itching/burning around penis opening

swelling of testicles

How we test for it: Chlamydia testing might include a urine (pee) sample or a swab in the affected area like the vagina, urethra (where pee comes out), anus, throat, or eye. These swabs can be done by you or your healthcare provider. Chlamydia can affect more than just genitals.

Treatment: Typically cured with prescribed antibiotics from a healthcare provider. Your partners can get treatment from your healthcare provider, too.

How to prevent it: If you suspect you have chlamydia you should be tested and treated right away. Using latex condoms consistently when having sex can help prevent transmission of the bacteria.

What it is: A viral infection causing sores or blisters on the genitals (penis, scrotum, labia, and around the anus).

How you get it:  Genital herpes can spread through skin to skin contact between genitals, anus, and mouth. Genital herpes can spread to a partner even when sores are not present.

Symptoms: Some people may carry the herpes virus and not have any symptoms; however, common symptoms include:

Itching, burning , or sores around genitals, anus, or mouth.

How we test for it: A clinician will take a swab of the suspected sore on your genitals and test it for herpes.

Treatment: While there’s no cure for genital herpes, antiviral medications can manage outbreaks and reduce the risk of spreading it to partners.

How to prevent it: Condoms may not be effective in preventing the transmission of genital herpes. Communicate with your partner about your herpes status and avoid sexual contact during outbreaks. 

What it is: A bacterial infection affecting mucous membranes of the body.
How you get it:  Gonorrhea is transmitted through sexual contact and the exchange of bodily fluids in vaginal secretions or semen (cum). Gonorrhea infections can occur in the vagina, penis, anus, throat, and eyes.

Symptoms: Many people do not have symptoms.

For someone with a vagina symptoms can be:

pain and burning when peeing

more-than-usual vaginal discharge

bleeding between periods

For someone with a penis symptoms can be:

burning feeling when peeing

white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis

painful swelling of testicles

Treatment: Typically cured with prescribed antibiotics from a healthcare provider. Your partners can get treatment from your healthcare provider, too.

How to prevent it: If you suspect you have gonorrhea you should be tested and treated right away. Your clinician will tell you when it is safe to resume sexual activity. Using latex condoms when having sex can help prevent transmission of the bacteria. 

What it is: A bacterial infection that progresses in stages.

How you get it:  Syphilis is spread by sexual (vaginal, oral, or anal) skin-to-skin contact with a person who is infected with syphilis or contact with other bodily fluids, like through sharing a needle with someone who has it. A pregnant person can also pass syphilis to a baby during birth, a condition called congenital syphilis. 

Symptoms: 

Early symptoms include a small painless sore on the penis or vulva called a chancre (“shang-kur”).

Later symptoms may include:

wart-like sores in the mouth or genital area.

hair loss

flu-like symptoms like muscle aches, fever, sore throat

tiredness, also called fatigue

weight loss

swollen lymph nodes

If left untreated syphilis can be very serious

How we test: A blood test is used to test for syphilis. Syphilis can pass from parent to baby in pregnancy, so it’s important that all pregnant people be tested for syphilis.

Treatment: If caught early, syphilis is curable and, at all stages, can be effectively treated with appropriate antibiotics.

What it is: A viral infection affecting the liver.

How you get it: It can be spread through vaginal, oral, or anal sex, or by contact with blood that has the virus.

Symptoms: symptoms can range from mild to serious. They include:

stomach/abdominal pain

dark urine (pee)

fever

joint pain

loss of appetite

upset stomach and vomiting

weakness and extreme tiredness

jaundice – yellowing of the whites of the eyes and the skin

Prevention: Hepatitis B can be prevented with a vaccine. The vaccine is a series of 3 shots given over time. Practicing safer sex with condom use, never sharing needles, and washing hands thoroughly after any potential exposure to blood or bodily fluids can help prevent infection.

How we test for it: A blood test is used to test for hepatitis B.

Treatment: There are treatments to manage the symptoms, but there is no cure for Hepatitis B. 

What it is: Viral infection affecting the liver.

How you get it: It can be spread by using infected needles, healthcare exposures (although uncommon), sex with an infected person, sharing personal items that have come into contact with infected blood, or being born to someone with hepatitis C.

Symptoms can include:

bleeding or bruising easily

weakness and extreme tiredness

not wanting to eat

jaundice – yellowing of the whites of the eyes and the skin

dark-colored urine

itchy skin

swelling in the legs

weight loss

Prevention: Avoid sharing needles or syringes; use latex condoms when having sex; avoid sexual contact with anyone with a hepatitis C infection.

How we test for it: A blood test is used to test for hepatitis C.

Treatment: Hepatitis C can be treated with antiviral medications, and can be cured for most people in 8-12 weeks.

What it is: HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that causes AIDS – AIDS is the late stage of an HIV infection.

How you get it: HIV is spread by sexual contact with an infected person, or sharing needles or syringes. It can also be spread during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. It cannot be spread by touching, hugging, kissing, or sharing food/drink. You cannot tell if someone has HIV by looking at them.

Symptoms: The symptoms of HIV and AIDS vary depending on the person and the phase of infection.

Some people infected by HIV get a flu-like illness (aches, fever, chills) within 2 to 4 weeks after the virus enters the body. This stage may last a few days to several weeks.

Some people have no symptoms during this stage. Because many people will not notice symptoms of early HIV infection, it’s important to get tested and know the HIV/AIDS status of your partner.

Prevention: Using a new condom for every sex act can help prevent the spread of this virus. There are a few medicines that can help prevent the spread of HIV, as well.

PrEP is a medicine that people who do not have HIV, but are at higher risk for getting HIV, can take to prevent getting HIV.

PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is a treatment that can help prevent HIV infection after you’ve already been exposed. Talk to your healthcare provider to learn more.

How we test for it: HIV can be detected through blood, saliva, or urine tests. Contact your healthcare provider to learn more about testing for HIV.

Treatment: While there is no cure for HIV, treatment has advanced significantly over the last couple decades and can reduce the amount of virus in your body to an undetectable level. HIV treatment can help reduce or eliminate your risk of passing it to others. 

Learn more about HIV treatment. 

What it is: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus most sexually active people will get at some point in time. There are over 100 strains of HPV. Most of the time, this virus clears from the body on its own in about two years. However, some strains of HPV cause genital warts, or may lead to cancer of the genitals, mouth, or throat.

How you get it: HPV is passed through sex or through other skin to skin contact.  

Symptoms: Many people may have no symptoms as the body can clear the virus before it causes warts or other issues. Other symptoms can include:

Genital warts 

Some appear flat. Others look like small cauliflower-like bumps or tiny stemlike bumps.

If you have a vagina, genital warts appear mostly on the vulva. They also can occur near the anus, on the cervix, or in the vagina.

If you have a penis, genital warts appear on the penis and scrotum or around the anus.

Genital warts rarely cause discomfort or pain. But they might itch or feel tender.

Cancers 

HPV can cause six types of cancer, including cancer of the anus, cervix, mouth/throat, penis, vagina, and vulva.

Most cases of these cancers are caused by some form of HPV.

The HPV infection and early cancers typically don't cause symptoms. Talk to a provider about any symptoms you’re noticing as, when detected early, these cancers are very treatable.
 

Prevention: The best prevention for HPV, especially the most common strains that can cause cancer, is a vaccine. Because early cancer doesn't usually cause symptoms, regular screening tests are important. Talk to your provider about what screenings may be right for you.

How we test for it: HPV is detected through a swab test and a common screening called a Pap test (or Pap smear). Genital warts are usually diagnosed with an exam. During these tests, a healthcare provider uses a small brush to remove cells from the genitals to be checked under a microscope.

Treatment: Most people will clear an HPV infection on their own in about 2 years. Treatments for genital warts may include topical medications, freezing, surgical removal, or laser treatment. Treatments for abnormal cells on the cervix and cervical cancer will vary depending on the need. 

What it is: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a disease of the uterus that may be caused by an STI that was not treated.

How you get it: PID can have other causes, but is often caused by untreated STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Symptoms: Signs of this disease include:

abdominal pain

fever

unusual vaginal discharge with a bad odor

painful peeing and/or painful sex

bleeding between periods.

Prevention: Prompt treatment of STIs can help prevent the development of PID.

How we test for it: Testing for PID can be a combination of an exam, lab tests, and imaging (like an ultrasound).

Treatment: PID can be treated by a healthcare provider. If not treated, it can cause damage that may make it impossible to get pregnant. If you suspect you have PID seek medical care right away. 

What it is: Pubic lice, commonly called crabs, are tiny insects found in your genital area. They are different from head lice and body lice. Measuring 1/16 inch (1.6 millimeters) or less, pubic lice get their nickname because their bodies resemble tiny crabs. Scabies are a kind of mite that burrow under the skin and cause intense itching.

How you get it: They can spread between partners by close physical contact.

Symptoms: Intense itching in your genital region. Pubic lice can spread to other areas with coarse body hair, including the legs, chest, armpits, and facial hair.

Treatment: Both pubic lice and scabies can be treated with topical creams. If they aren’t responding to over-the-counter treatment or you are pregnant be sure to make an appointment with a healthcare provider. 

What it is: Trichomoniasis is a common STI caused by a parasite.

How you get it: Through contact between genitals with an infected partner.

Symptoms:

People with a vagina can have

foamy, greenish, foul-smelling discharge

swollen painful vagina

It’s often mistaken for a yeast infection.

People with penises rarely have symptoms, but when they do it can cause:

itching or irritation inside the penis

burning with urination or after ejaculation

discharge from the penis

Prevention: You can reduce your risk of infection by using a condom every time you have sex.

How we test for it: A healthcare provider may collect a sample with a swab of vaginal fluids or urine (pee) sample.

Treatment: Don’t try to treat trichomoniasis on your own. A healthcare provider can prescribe the right oral or topical treatments for you.