Sexually Transmitted Infections 101
There are 26 million newly diagnosed sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the U.S. each year. Half of these STIs occur in young people 15-24 years old. Learn more below about the different kinds of STIs. Be sure to also check out more information about STI prevention, treatment, communication and testing. For all STIs, the most effective prevention is abstinence, or not having sex, and for those who choose to be sexually active, latex and polyurethane condoms and dental dams provide good protection.
Bacterial infections
Bacterial infections are curable with medication from a healthcare provider.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal condition in women aged 15-24. It is a change in the balance of bacteria in the vagina, and may cause pain, itching, burning, discharge, or a fish-like odor. Having BV can increase your chances of getting other STIs, like HIV, and may affect pregnancy. Your provider may test with you a swab of fluid from the vagina that is looked at under a microscope.
Chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial infection in the U.S., and often has no symptoms. People who do have symptoms may have discharge or feel burning when they pee. If left untreated, chlamydia can cause damage to the reproductive organs, which may make someone infertile (unable to get pregnant or get someone pregnant), and cause damage to the fetus in pregnancy and birth. Testing is as easy as peeing in a cup for your healthcare provider.
Gonorrhea is the second most common bacterial infection in the U.S., though most people have no symptoms, and so may not ever get tested. People who do have symptoms may have discharge or pain while peeing. Gonorrhea can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which can lead to infertility, chronic pain, and even infect the blood, becoming life-threatening. Testing is as easy as peeing in a cup for your healthcare provider.
Syphilis is not as common as the other STIs, though any sexually active person can get it. Syphilis in pregnancy is a serious health concern, which can cause the baby to be stillborn or have developmental delays. Symptoms of syphilis occur in three stages, starting with a painless sore or sores, then a rash, and if left untreated, can lead to problems with brain, eyes, nerves, heart, and bones, even causing death. Testing is as easy as a blood test.
Chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial infection in the U.S., and often has no symptoms. People who do have symptoms may have discharge or feel burning when they pee. If left untreated, chlamydia can cause damage to the reproductive organs, which may make someone infertile (unable to get pregnant or get someone pregnant), and cause damage to the fetus in pregnancy and birth. Testing is as easy as peeing in a cup for your healthcare provider.
Gonorrhea is the second most common bacterial infection in the U.S., though most people have no symptoms, and so may not ever get tested. People who do have symptoms may have discharge or pain while peeing. Gonorrhea can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which can lead to infertility, chronic pain, and even infect the blood, becoming life-threatening. Testing is as easy as peeing in a cup for your healthcare provider.
Syphilis is not as common as the other STIs, though any sexually active person can get it. Syphilis in pregnancy is a serious health concern, which can cause the baby to be stillborn or have developmental delays. Symptoms of syphilis occur in three stages, starting with a painless sore or sores, then a rash, and if left untreated, can lead to problems with brain, eyes, nerves, heart, and bones, even causing death. Testing is as easy as a blood test.
Viral infections
Viral infections are not all curable, but medication can be provided by a healthcare provider to reduce symptoms and prevent transmission to partners.
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). HIV weakens a person’s immune system, making them sick from infections that a healthy person’s body could easily fight off, which can cause death. Many medications now are available to help people live full and healthy lives with HIV. In addition to condoms, HIV can be prevented by the use of a medication called PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) before sexual activity. HIV testing can be done from a saliva sample or blood test.
HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) is the most common STI in the U.S. HPV is the virus that causes genital warts, and it can also cause cervical cancer in women. HPV can be spread even if someone has no symptoms, by skin-to-skin contact. In addition to condoms, HPV can be prevented by a vaccine, which men and women can get from their healthcare provider. Sexually active women should get a Pap smear once a year to detect cervical changes which may indicate HPV infection.
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are two viruses which can be transmitted sexually. In addition to condoms, Hepatitis B can be prevented by a vaccine, which men and women can get from their healthcare provider. Symptoms of hepatitis include fatigue, nausea, stomach pain, and jaundice (the skin turning yellow), and in some cases can cause liver failure or liver cancer. Hepatitis C can be treated by oral medications. Testing can be done by a blood test from your healthcare provider.
Herpes is the virus that causes cold sores on the mouth (oral herpes) and sores on the genitals (genital herpes). Many people are infected with oral herpes as children through non-sexual contact, and oral herpes can be transmitted to the genitals. Herpes can be spread even if someone has no symptoms, by skin-to-skin contact. Herpes sores are often painful. A medical provider can diagnose herpes by looking at the sores, or taking a sample or blood test.
HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) is the most common STI in the U.S. HPV is the virus that causes genital warts, and it can also cause cervical cancer in women. HPV can be spread even if someone has no symptoms, by skin-to-skin contact. In addition to condoms, HPV can be prevented by a vaccine, which men and women can get from their healthcare provider. Sexually active women should get a Pap smear once a year to detect cervical changes which may indicate HPV infection.
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are two viruses which can be transmitted sexually. In addition to condoms, Hepatitis B can be prevented by a vaccine, which men and women can get from their healthcare provider. Symptoms of hepatitis include fatigue, nausea, stomach pain, and jaundice (the skin turning yellow), and in some cases can cause liver failure or liver cancer. Hepatitis C can be treated by oral medications. Testing can be done by a blood test from your healthcare provider.
Herpes is the virus that causes cold sores on the mouth (oral herpes) and sores on the genitals (genital herpes). Many people are infected with oral herpes as children through non-sexual contact, and oral herpes can be transmitted to the genitals. Herpes can be spread even if someone has no symptoms, by skin-to-skin contact. Herpes sores are often painful. A medical provider can diagnose herpes by looking at the sores, or taking a sample or blood test.
Parasites
Parasitic infections are curable with medication from a healthcare provider.
Public lice (“crabs”) and scabies are small parasites usually found in pubic hair. They cause itching and both the animals and their eggs can often be seen visually. They can be treated with topical medication or shampoo prescribed by a healthcare provider.
Trichomoniasis is the most common curable STI, but most people never have any symptoms. If someone does have symptoms, they may experience itching, burning or irritation of the genitals, or discharge. Trichomoniasis can have a negative impact on pregnancy, causing an early birth or low-birth-weight infant, and can make someone more likely to get other STIs. A medical provider can diagnose trichomoniasis by an exam and looking at a fluid sample in a microscope. Treatment is an oral medication.
Trichomoniasis is the most common curable STI, but most people never have any symptoms. If someone does have symptoms, they may experience itching, burning or irritation of the genitals, or discharge. Trichomoniasis can have a negative impact on pregnancy, causing an early birth or low-birth-weight infant, and can make someone more likely to get other STIs. A medical provider can diagnose trichomoniasis by an exam and looking at a fluid sample in a microscope. Treatment is an oral medication.
STI Testing
Anyone who is under 25 and sexually active should get tested for STIs at least once a year, with any new sexual partner, or any time your partner has an STI. Pregnant women should get tested early during their pregnancy. For information on where to get tested visit the CDC here, and read our article all about getting tested.
