STDs and STIs: The Facts You Need to Know and the Steps You Need to Take

What Are STDs and STIs?

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common, but often misunderstood. Many people are unaware of the risks, symptoms, and treatments of these conditions. In this article, we will provide you with accurate and up-to-date information about STDs and STIs, and how you can protect yourself and your partner.

Key Takeaways

• STDs and STIs are infections that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact.
• Some of the most common STDs and STIs are chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, HPV, and HIV.
• STDs and STIs can cause serious health problems, such as infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, cancer, and AIDS.
• Many STDs and STIs have no symptoms or mild symptoms that can be easily overlooked or mistaken for other conditions.
• The only way to know for sure if you have an STD or STI is to get tested.
• You can get tested at a clinic, a doctor’s office, or with an at home STD test kit.
• The best way to prevent STDs and STIs is to practice safe sex. This means using condoms or dental dams every time you have oral, vaginal, or anal sex. You should also get vaccinated for HPV and hepatitis B
• If you test positive for an STD or STI, you should seek treatment as soon as possible.
• Most STDs and STIs can be cured with antibiotics or antiviral medications. You should also inform your sexual partners and encourage them to get tested and treated as well.

How Common Are STDs and STIs?

STDs and STIs are more common than you might think. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), nearly 68 million, or 1 in 5 people in the U.S. have an STI at any given time. Nearly half of all new infections occur among young people aged 15-24.

Common STDs and Their Characteristics

Human Papillomavirus or HPV

One of the most prevalent STI in the US is human papillomavirus (HPV ). This is a group of more than 200 related viruses that can infect the skin and mucous membranes of the genitals, anus, mouth, or throat.  HPV is a different virus than HIV and HSV (herpes). Most people who get HPV do not develop any symptoms. However, some people may develop chronic HPV infection that can lead to cancer over time.

Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis

The other common STDs in the U.S. are chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. These are bacterial infections that can affect the genitals, anus, throat, or eyes. They can cause symptoms such as discharge, pain, itching, burning, sores, or rashes. However, many people with these infections have no symptoms or mild symptoms that can go unnoticed or ignored.

Genital Herpes

Another common STD is genital herpes. This is a viral infection that causes blisters or ulcers on the genitals or around the mouth. It can be transmitted through oral, vaginal, or anal sex, even when there are no visible sores. There is no cure for herpes, but antiviral medications can help reduce the frequency and severity of outbreaks.

HIV – The Most Serious STD

The most serious STD is human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This is a virus that attacks the immune system and makes it harder to fight off infections and diseases. It can be transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal fluid, breast milk, or sharing needles with someone who has HIV.

HIV can cause flu-like symptoms in the first few weeks after infection, but then it may not cause any symptoms for years. However, without treatment, HIV can progress to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which is a life-threatening condition that makes the body vulnerable to opportunistic infections and cancers. There is no cure for HIV/AIDS, but antiretroviral therapy (ART) can help control the virus and improve the quality and length of life for people living with HIV/AIDS.

How Can You Get Tested for STDs and STIs?

The only way to know for sure if you have an STD or STI is to get tested. Many people assume that they are healthy or that their partner is faithful, but these are not reliable indicators of your status. In fact, some people may not get tested regularly or at all, which increases the risk of spreading STDs and STIs to others. Therefore, it is important to get tested at least once a year, or more often if you have multiple or new sexual partners, or if you have any symptoms of an STD or STI.

At Home STD Test and STD Test at a Clinic

There are different ways to get tested for STIs and STDs. You can visit a clinic, a doctor’s office, or a health department in your area that offers STI testing services. You can also order an at home STD test online and check for STDs by collecting your own samples. Then, you can mail the samples to a lab and get your results online or by phone.

Different Ways to Get Tested for STD and STI

The type of test you need depends on the type of STI you want to check for. Some tests require a blood sample, some require a urine sample, and some require a swab from the genitals, anus, throat, or mouth. Some tests can detect multiple STDs or STIs at once, while others are specific for one infection. You can ask your health care provider or the testing service which tests are right for you.

Testing for STDs and STIs

Here is a table that shows some of the common STDs and STIs and the types of tests that can detect them:

STD/STI	Test Type
Chlamydia	Urine test or swab test
Gonorrhea	Urine test or swab test
Syphilis	Blood test or DBS (Dried Blood Test)
Herpes	Blood test or swab test
HPV	Pap test for women or HPV test for women and men
HIV	Blood test, oral fluid test or DBS (Dried Blood Test)

 

How Can You Treat STDs and STIs?

If you test positive for an STI, you should seek treatment as soon as possible. Most STIs can be cured with antibiotics or antiviral medications. However, some infections, such as herpes, HPV, and HIV, cannot be cured and require lifelong management. In any case, early treatment can help prevent complications and reduce the risk of transmission to others.

Where to Get Treated?

The type of treatment you need depends on the type of STI you have. You can get treatment from your health care provider, an STD clinic, or by booking a telemedicine visit that offers STI testing and treatment online. You should follow the instructions carefully and complete the full course of medication. You should also avoid sexual contact until you and your partner are both cured or cleared by your provider.

You should also inform your sexual partners that you have an STI and encourage them to get tested and treated as well. This can help stop the spread of the infection and protect your health and theirs. You can do this in person, by phone, by text, by email, or by using an anonymous notification service that will send a message to your partners without revealing your identity.

Treating STDs and STIs

Common STD Treatments

Here is a list of some of the common STDs and STIs and the types of treatments that can cure them:

• Chlamydia: Antibiotics such as azithromycin or doxycycline
• Gonorrhea: Antibiotics such as ceftriaxone and azithromycin
• Syphilis: Antibiotics such as penicillin
• Herpes: Antiviral medications such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir
• HPV: No specific treatment for the virus, but warts can be removed by freezing, burning, cutting, or applying topical medications
• HIV: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) that consists of a combination of medications that suppress the virus and prevent it from multiplying

How Can You Prevent STDs and STIs?

Safe Sex Practices

The best way to prevent STDs and STIs is to practice safe sex. This means using condoms or dental dams every time you have oral, vaginal, or anal sex. Condoms and dental dams can reduce the risk of getting or passing an STD or STI by creating a barrier between you and your partner. You should use a new condom or dental dam for each sex act and check for any tears or holes before using them. You should also use water-based or silicone-based lubricants to prevent friction and breakage.

Vaccination Against HPV and Hepatitis B

You should also get vaccinated for HPV and hepatitis B. These are vaccines that can protect you from some of the most common and serious types of HPV and hepatitis B. HPV vaccine is recommended for everyone between the ages of 9 and 26, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for everyone at birth and for anyone who is at risk of exposure, such as people who have multiple sexual partners, inject drugs, or travel to areas where hepatitis B is common.

Limiting Sexual Partners and Wise Choices

Another way to prevent STDs is to limit your number of sexual partners and choose them wisely. The more partners you have, the higher your chances of getting or passing an STD. You should also avoid having sex with someone who has signs or symptoms of an STD or STI, such as discharge, pain, itching, burning, sores, or rashes. You should also avoid sharing sex toys, needles, or personal items that may have blood or body fluids on them.

Regular Testing for Asymptomatic Infections

You should get tested regularly for STIs, even if you have no symptoms or think you are in a monogamous relationship. Many STDs and STIs can be asymptomatic or have mild symptoms that can be easily overlooked or mistaken for other conditions. Getting tested can help you find out your status and get treatment if needed. It can also help you protect your partner and prevent further spread of the infection.

What Are Some Common Myths and Facts About STDs and STIs?

There are many myths and misconceptions about STDs and STIs that can lead to stigma, shame, fear, or denial. These can prevent people from getting tested, seeking treatment, or disclosing their status to their partners. Here are some of the common myths and facts about STDs and STIs that you should know

• Myth: You can tell if someone has an STD or STI by looking at them.
• Fact: Many STDs and STIs have no symptoms or mild symptoms that can be easily overlooked or ignored. You cannot tell if someone has an STD or STI by looking at them. The only way to know for sure is to get tested
• Myth: You can only get an STD or STI from having sex with a stranger or someone who sleeps around.
• Fact: You can get an STD or STI from anyone who has it, regardless of how well you know them or how many partners they have had. Even if you are in a monogamous relationship, you or your partner may have an STD or STI from a previous partner that you are not aware of. That is why it is important to get tested before starting a new sexual relationship and to practice safe sex with every partner.
• Myth: You can only get an STD or STI from having vaginal sex.

More Myths vs. Facts

• Fact: You can get an STD or STI from any type of sexual contact that involves the exchange of bodily fluids or skin-to-skin contact. This includes oral sex, anal sex, hand jobs, fingering, rimming, kissing, and sharing sex toys. Some STDs and STIs can also be transmitted through non-sexual contact, such as blood transfusions, organ transplants, needle sharing, breastfeeding, or childbirth.
• Myth: You cannot get an STD or STI more than once.
• Fact: You can get an STD or STI more than once if you are exposed to it again. Some STDs and STIs do not provide immunity after infection, which means you can get reinfected if you have sex with someone who has it. Some STDs and STIs can also reactivate after being dormant for a while, which means you can have symptoms again even if you were treated before.
• Myth: There is nothing you can do about an STD or STI once you have it.
• Fact: There is something you can do about an STD or STI once you have it. Most STDs and STIs can be cured with antibiotics or antiviral medications. Even if there is no cure for some infections, such as herpes, HPV, and HIV, there are treatments that can help control the symptoms and prevent complications. The sooner you get tested and treated, the better your chances of recovery and preventing further transmission.

Take Action

Remember to practice safe sex, get tested regularly, and seek treatment if needed. If you have any questions or concerns, you can book a telemedicine visit and get tested for STDs conveniently and discreetly rom the comfort of your home.

Don’t wait – click below and start speaking with a licensed medical provider to discuss your sexual health.