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STIs: How to Know if You May Have Them
Sexually Transmitted Infections can be spread during vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and sometimes through contact with blood or infected sores. Though having sex alone is not necessarily an indicator that you have an STI, many people don’t see or feel any early symptoms and can still carry infection or disease.
It is important to take precautions to avoid these harmful conditions. The only sure way to avoid exposure is by not having sex, but other measures such as limiting sex partners and using a condom are helpful. If you think you may have contracted an STI, the best thing you can do is to see your healthcare provider right away.
Common Sexually Transmitted Infections & Diseases
Bacterial Infections
Many bacterial infections can be cured, but some may cause long-term damage if left unchecked. The most common symptom of many STIs is showing no symptoms at all, so proactive seeking of screenings and care from a qualified clinician is important.
Chlamydia
This is the most common bacterial STI, and is spread by having unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse with an infected partner. In 2018, 64 percent of the reported cases were in persons less than 25 years of age. Babies can get it from their mothers during birth. Most people do not show symptoms, so it is important to see a physician and receive proper prenatal care.
Early Signs of Infection
- Unusual discharge from the penis or vagina
- Painful intercourse for women
- Inflammation of the rectum
- Pain or burning while urinating
- Frequent urination
- Swelling or pain in the testicles
Diagnosis & Treatment
Lab tests can be done on samples from the infected area, and treatment involves antibiotic pills and treatment of partner.
Gonorrhea
This is also known as GC, Clap, Drip, and Dose, among other things. Similar to Chlamydia, it is spread by having unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected partner, and babies can get it from their mothers during birth. Many people do not show symptoms, so it is important to see a physician if you suspect you had sex with an infected partner.
Early Signs of Infection
- Unusual discharge from the penis or vagina
- Sore throat (if passed through oral sex)
- Inflammation of the rectum
- Pain or burning while urinating
- Frequent urination
- Swelling or pain in the testicles
- Bleeding between periods
Diagnosis & Treatment
Lab tests are done on samples from the infected area, and treatment involves an antibiotic shot, pills, and treatment of partner.
Non-Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU)
This is an infection of the tube through which you urinate that is not caused by gonorrhea. It is spread by unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse with an infected partner. Most women have no early signs and men may see signs in one to three weeks.
Early Signs of Infection
- Painful urination
- Painful vaginal discharge
- Drip from penis
Diagnosis & Treatment
The discharge can be checked for infection. You should be tested for Chlamydia, and Gonorrhea should be ruled out before a diagnosis of NGU can be made. Treatment includes antibiotic pills and treatment of partner.
Syphilis
Also known as Syph, The Pox, or Bad Blood, Syphilis is a bacterial infection spread from having unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected partner. If untreated, Syphilis can cause serious health complications. Symptoms are broken into three stages with the first symptoms often being early and unnoticeable, so be sure to get tested right away if you think you may be infected. Babies with mothers testing positive for Syphilis can be still-born or have birth defects.
Early Signs of Infection
- First Stage: single, painless sore where the bacteria entered the body
- Second Stage: Rash that shows on hands and feet, and flu-like symptoms
- Third Stage: Disease can affect brain, heart, eyes, and other body parts
Diagnosis & Treatment
If caught early enough, antibiotics can cure Syphilis but not undo any damage it has caused. Testing is done by a blood test or discharge from the sores. Additional doses of the antibiotic shot are needed for those that have had it longer than a year.
Viruses
Virus infections cannot be cured, but some are preventable and/or can be treated. The most common symptom of many STIs is showing no symptoms at all, so proactively seeking screenings and care from a qualified clinician is important.
Herpes
Herpes appears as small and painful sores or blisters on the part of your body that was infected. They often disappear and come back, but there is no cure and it is spread by having vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse with an infected partner. Babies can get it from their mothers during birth.
Early Signs of Infection
- Presence of small, painful sores or blisters on infected area
- Burning or painful urination
Diagnosis & Treatment
To test for herpes, a clinician may look at or test the discharge from blisters or sores. While there is no cure, pills can be taken to prevent the blisters or sores from coming back.
Genital Warts / HPV
Warts on the genitals are caused by specific types of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus). It is spread through intercourse by an infected person, or skin contact with infected cells shed by an infected person. Untreated genital warts may go away on their own or can get bigger or spread. During pregnancy, genital warts grow more rapidly. If the warts are caused by HPV, there is a risk of developing certain types of cancer. HPV vaccinations are available to proactively fight this disease.
Early Signs of Infection
- Warts on the genitals, urethra, anus, and sometimes the throat
- Genital warts are soft to the touch
- Genital warts resembling cauliflower florets that itch
Diagnosis & Treatment
Warts can be identified inside the vagina and can be seen more clearly using a weak acid, such as vinegar. There is no cure for the virus, but warts can be treated by freezing, burning, or putting medicine on them. Genital warts take several treatments to go away and can always return. The HPV Vaccination is a common option to receive in order to prevent HPV.
HIV / AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system and makes the body less able to fight off life-threatening infections and cancers over time. It is spread by having unprotected sex with a person who has HIV or whose HIV status is unknown. The virus is also passed by sharing needles for drugs, tattoos, or body piercings with a person who has HIV. Women with HIV can pass the virus to their babies during pregnancy, delivery, and breastmilk. AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is the last stage of the HIV disease. Most people with HIV have no symptoms for years, so being proactive about getting tested is important.
Early Signs of Infection
- Flu-like illness
- Swollen lymph nodes
Late Signs of Infection
- Persistent fevers
- Night sweats
- Prolonged diarrhea
- Unexplained weight loss
- Purple bumps on the skin, inside mouth, and nose
- Chronic fatigue
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Recurrent respiratory infections
Diagnosis & Treatment
The most common HIV tests use blood to detect HIV infection. Oral swabs or urine tests are also available in some areas. Some tests take a few days for results, but rapid HIV tests can give results in about 20 minutes. All positive HIV tests must be followed up by another test to confirm the positive result. Results of this confirmatory test can take a few days to a few weeks.
There is no cure for HIV. However, treatment is available and it may help delay the development of AIDS and help fight the other diseases that infected people get because their immune system is not working.
Hepatitis B
Hep B is a blood-borne virus that can be spread sexually through vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse, sharing needles with infected blood, or through feces. Babies can get it from an infected mother before birth. It is possible to prevent Hepatitis B with a vaccine available to any age.
Early Signs of Infection
- Upset stomach
- Poor appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Dark urine
- Skin rash
- Yellow skin and eyes
- Joint pain
- Some people may not have early symptoms
Diagnosis & Treatment
A blood test is performed to diagnose hepatitis B. While there is no cure or treatment available for acute hep B, it usually clears on its own. If you are diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B, you will be referred to a specialist for long-term therapy.
Other Sexually Transmitted Conditions
Trich
Short for Trichomoniasis, Trich is a common and easy-to-cure condition. However, if left untreated it can increase the chances of getting or spreading other STIs. Trich is spread by having vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse with an infected partner. Many people show no early symptoms.
Early Signs of Infection
- Females: bubbly, yellow, and smelly vaginal discharge and/or itching and burning around the vagina
- Males: discharge from the penis that can itch or burn
- Frequent urination
Diagnosis & Treatment
Discharge can be checked under a microscope. Culture tests and other tests using swabs or urine have also been developed. Treatment of Trich includes antibiotic pills for both partners.
Pubic Lice
Also known as crabs, pubic lice are spread by sexual contact with a person who has them, or from infected fabric like clothing, bedding, or towels. The lice and their eggs can be seen, and are therefore easily identified.
Early Signs of Infection
- Presence of lice in the pubic area causing itching
- Eggs attached to the pubic hair
Diagnosis & Treatment
Public lice are diagnosed through observing the presence of lice and their eggs. A prescription cream is needed for treatment, and all bedding and clothing should be washed and dried using the heat cycle or dry cleaned.
Scabies
Scabies in adults is frequently spread by sexual contact, but scabies in children is usually not. The condition is caused by an itch mite that burrows under the skin.
Early Signs of Infection
- Red spots & itching on thigh, underarm, between fingers, etc.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Scabies mites are found by scraping one of the red spots and looking at the material under a microscope. For treatment, a prescription cream is needed. Bedding and clothing must be washed and dried using the heat cycle or dry cleaned to prevent scabies returning.
Receive Treatment for STIs at a Family Planning Clinic
Many sexually transmitted conditions show no symptoms at first. If you suspect you may have been in contact with an infected person, it is important to seek diagnosis and testing sooner rather than waiting until symptoms show.