Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also called sexually transmitted infections (STIs), affect people of all ages, backgrounds, and from all walks of life. In the U.S. alone there are approximately 20 million new cases each year,half of which occur among youth ages 15-24 years.
The statistics are striking. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- One in four new STI cases occur in teenagers.
- Young people (age 15-24) have five times the reported rate of chlamydia of the total population, four times the rate of gonorrhea and three times the rate of syphilis.
- In 2006, an estimated 5,259 young people aged 13-24 in the 33 states reporting to CDC were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, representing about 14% of the persons diagnosed that year.
While anyone who is sexually active is at risk for getting an STI, women, youth and people of color are more likely to become infected. They can also face more serious medical complications. Getting the facts about STDs/STIs and sexual health is important. Here you can learn more about STIs, get tips for reducing your risk, and find ways to talk with healthcare providers and partners.
HOW ARE STIS SPREAD?
STIs usually are spread through sex - vaginal, oral or anal. STIs can be spread through any type of sex: from a male to a female, a female to a male, a male to another male or a female to another female.
Some STIs can be spread through any contact between the penis, vagina, mouth or anus - even if there is no penetration. For example, genital herpes is transmitted through direct skin-to-skin coontact, and can be transmitted even if there is no penetration. Some STIs can be spread in other ways also. For example, HIV and hepatitis B are also spread through sharing needles for injecting drugs or medicines.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE AN STI?
Some STIs will cause very obvious symptoms. But many STIs cause no symptoms or only mild symptoms, so you could not know you have an infection. In fact, most people who have an STI have no symptoms. A test from your healthcare provider may be the only sure way to tell if you are infected.
If you do have symptoms, they may appear right away, or they might not show up for weeks or even months. They might come and go. Even if the symptoms disappear, you may still have an STI.
If you’ve had unprotected sex, have a new partner (or more than one partner), or for any reason are worried you have been exposed to an STI, talk to your healthcare provider about getting tested be tested.
GET TESTED
Most people think they would know if they had a sexually transmitted infection (STI) . . . wrong!
The truth is many of STIs have no signs or symptoms in the majority of people infected. Or they have mild signs that can be easily overlooked. This is why the term “disease” (as in STD) is starting to be replaced by infection (or STI).
The only way to know if you have an STI is to get tested.
Lots of people are confused about getting tested for STIs. For example, you may think your annual medical check-up will include tests for STIs, especially if your healthcare provider knows you are sexually active. The fact is that some providers might test for some infections when you come in for a regular check-up, while others do not test for any STI unless you ask them to.
If you’ve had unprotected sex, have a new partner (or more than one partner), or for any reason are worried you have been exposed to an STI, talk to your healthcare provider about getting tested be tested for these leading common STIs: chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, herpes, HPV, syphilis and trichomoniasis. If your healthcare provider feels you do not need to be checked for some of these, you will at least know which ones you were tested for and which ones you were not.
How do STI tests work?
Getting tested can be quick and easy. Depending on what you are being tested for,, your provider may take a blood sample, a swab, or ask you to pee in a cup. Easy! The table below gives you an idea of what to expect:
| Chlamydia | Swab of genital area or urine sample | For chlamydia and gonorrhea: If you have had oral or anal sex, let your healthcare provider know this also. These sites may be infected, but vaginal or urine samples may not be positive |
| Gonorrhea | Swab of genital area or urine sample | |
| HIV | Blood test or swab from inside of mouth | Confidential and anonymous testing options are available in many clinics |
| Genital herpes (no symptoms) | Blood test (drawn from arm or a fingerstick) | Be sure to ask for a type-specific IgG test (not an IgM test) |
| Genital herpes (with symptoms) | Swab of affected area; if at first negative for herpes, follow later with blood test to make sure | Must be done as soon as possible; “viral culture” test not as accurate after 48 hours. A negative culture does not mean that you do not have genital herpes. |
| Syphilis | Blood test, or sample taken from a sore | The CDC recommends all pregnant women be tested for syphilis |
| Trichomoniasis | Swab of infected area, physical exam or sample of discharge | “Trich” is harder to detect in men than in women |
| HPV (genital warts) | Visual diagnosis | Warts can occur in both men and women. |
| HPV (cervical cancer) | If Pap test result is abnormal, HPV DNA test and a biopsy may be done | Pap tests detect cervical cell changes, not HPV. An abnormal test is often caused by HPV infection. No test available for men for these types of HPV. |
HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF FROM STIS
There are lots of ways to reduce your risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Of course, the best way to avoid STIs and unwanted pregnancy is not to have sex. For those who do chose to become sexually active, though, there are ways you can help reduce your risk of contracting an STI.
REDUCE YOUR RISK
There are lots of ways to reduce your risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Of course, the best way to avoid STIs and unwanted pregnancy is not to have sex. For those who do chose to become sexually active, though, there are ways you can help reduce your risk of contracting an STI.
- Communicate: Talk with your partner(s) about STIs, sexual health, and prevention prior to sexual activity. Open communication encourages trust and respect among partners and helps reduce the risks for STIs. Also, don't be afraid to talk honestly with your healthcare provider about your sexual practices or to ask about STI tests.
- Get Tested: If you have never had any sexual contact of any kind with another person, there is no risk of STD/STIs. But you or your partner has ever had sex with anyone else, then testing can help you learn whether you may have contacted an STI. You can't rely on symptoms to know whether you have an STI--many STIs can be "silent," causing no noticeable symptoms. Also, some STD/STIs may not be detectable through testing for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, so talk to your healthcare provider about the right time to get tested.
- Limit the number of partners you have: If you are going to have sex, have it with just one person and ask about his or her sexual history. The fewer partners you have, the less chance you will get an STI.
- Protect Yourself: Condoms work really well in stopping most STIs from being passed from an infected partner to another when they are used consistently and correctly every time a person has oral, vaginal or anal sex. Consistently and correctly means that a person makes sure they use a condom every time they have oral, vaginal or anal sex and put it on and use it the right way.
- Learn about vaccines: One important prevention tool against STIs is vaccination. Currently, vaccines are available to protect against infection with HPV, hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Talk to your healthcare provider to see which vaccines might be recommended for you.
- Avoid alcohol and drug use: Avoiding alcohol and recreational drug use reduces the risk of contracting an STI, having an unwanted pregnancy, or being coerced to have sex. Alcohol and drug use can reduce our ability to make good decisions. It may also make us more likely to be talked into into participating in an activity without being able to give our full consent.
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