STIs

What is an STI?

  • A Sexually Transmitted Illness (STI) is an infection passed from one person to another through sexual contact/activity.
  • You can get an STI through unprotected sexual contact with someone who has an STI, needle sharing with an infected person, contact with bodily fluids or from sharing sex toys.
  • Sexual contact includes oral, vaginal, and anal sex as well as skin to skin contact with the genitals. ANYONE ENGAGING IN SEXUAL CONTACT IS AT RISK OF CONTRACTING AN STI, regardless of the genders of the people involved.

STI Types

  • There are many different types we will focus on: HIV/AIDs, gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, HPV, and syphilis. You can find more information here: https://www.cdc.gov/std/default.htm
  • HIV/AIDs
    • What is it?
      • The Human Immunodeficiency Virus ( HIV) is a virus that is spread through bodily fluids that interferes with the bodies immune system, targeting white blood cells called T cells. These cells help your body fight off infection. When infected with HIV, a person’s immune system will be weakened, and they will be more susceptible to illnesses.
      • If left untreated, HIV will become AIDs, and the individual will be susceptible to many diseases and cancers, while their immune system is unable to fight them off. AIDs is terminal.
    • How do I get it?
      • HIV and AIDs can be transmitted through breast milk, blood, other bodily fluids, and unprotected sexual contact
    • What are the symptoms?
      • There are no specific symptoms for HIV. Some people will feel flu-like symptoms for two to four weeks, while others will not
      • The only way to know it to get tested
    • GET TESTED!!!!
    • How do I treat it?
      • There is not currently any cure for HIV and AIDs
      • There is an effective treatment for HIV if it is caught early – it is called antiretroviral therapy, which would be prescribed and if taken as directed and in time the infected person can have a long and relatively normal life. With treatment, the virus may even become undetectable in which case the person would still be HIV positive, but they would have a much lower risk of transmitting the disease
    • PrEP
      • This is another way to prevent HIV infection for people that are high risk. It involves taking medication daily and if taken correctly it will reduce the chance of infection by 70-90%.
      • Here is some more information: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep.html
  • GONORRHEA
    • What is it?
      • Gonorrhea is a STI that can cause infection of the throat and genitals. If untreated, it can lead to infertility ( the inability to have biological children ), ectopic pregnancy ( dangerous and abnormal pregnancy occurring in the fallopian tubes ) , genital pain, and tissue scarring and in extreme cases, it can get into the bloodstream and become fatal.
    • How do I get it?
      • It is spread through unprotected anal, oral and vaginal sex with an infected person and can be spread to an infant during birth if the parent is infected.
    • What are the symptoms?
      • For genital infections:
        • It is common for males to have no symptoms. However some symptoms may include: a burning sensation while peeing, white, green, or yellow discharge (puss) from the penis, and swollen testicles.
        • Females may have a burning sensation while urinating, increased or discolored vaginal discharge, and spotting. Females are at greater risk for complications from the infection.
      • For rectal infections:
        • Symptoms may not be present but are anal discharge, pain, bleeding and itching.
    • SPEAK TO YOUR DOCTOR/ HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF YOU EXHIBIT ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS!!!!
      • If you are unable to go to a traditional doctor you can go to a minute clinic, planned parenthood or look for other providers in your area.
    • How do I treat it?
      • It can be cured by taking prescribed medication.
      • It can, however, cause permanent irreversible damage.
      • Wait seven days after you finish all your medication before participating in sexual activity.
      • Antibiotic resistant gonorrhea ( gonorrhea that can not be cured by taking medication ) is becoming a problem, so treating it may become difficult in the future.
  • CHLAMYDIA
    • What is it?
      • Chlamydia is an STI that can affect everyone. It causes damage to the female reproductive system, ectopic pregnancies, and infertility.
    • How do I get it?
      • Chlamydia can be contracted through unprotected anal, oral, or vaginal sex with an infected person; it can also be passed on to an infant during birth.
    • What are the symptoms?
      • Many people do not exhibit any symptoms. If they do they are unusual, such as genital discharge, pain when urinating, rectal bleeding, rectal discharge, and pain in the testes.
    • SPEAK TO YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU EXHIBIT ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS!!!!
    • How do I treat it?
      • It is curable: just take the medication your doctor prescribes as it is prescribed. Get tested after three months though because repeat infection is common. Your partner or partners should also be tested.
  • HERPES
    • What is it?
      • Herpes is an infection caused by two viruses (HSV 1 and 2). HSV-1 causes sores around the mouth and is transmitted through saliva. HSV-2 causes sores on the genitals and can be transmitted in many ways.
    • How do I get it?
      • Through unprotected sexual contact, HSV-1 or mouth herpes can cause genital herpes if the infected skin comes in contact; it can also be passed to an infant during birth.
      • If you have a sore, do not touch it! This will spread the infection to other parts of your body.
    • What are the symptoms?
      • The main symptom is blisters around infected areas that break and leave sores. This may also be accompanied by flu like symptoms. Not everyone experiences symptoms.
    • SPEAK TO YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU EXHIBIT ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS!!!!
    • How do I treat it?
      • There is no cure. However, there is medication that will prevent or shorten blister outbreaks, as well as help prevent the spread of the disease to other people.
  • HPV
    • What is it?
      • Human Papillomavirus is a virus that can cause genital warts and cancers. It usually will resolve itself on its own but can cause health problems if not. It can cause throat and genital cancers.
    • How do I get it?
      • Engaging in unproductive sexual activity
    • What are the symptoms?
      • There are not really any symptoms and most people are never aware they have it.
      • It causes cancers and genital warts.
      • There are some limited testing for HPV
    • How do I treat it?
      • Get vaccinated to prevent cancers and other diseases caused by HPV!
      • The virus cannot be cured but the symptoms can be treated.
  • SYPHILIS
    • What is it?
      • Syphilis is an STI with three main phases. This first phase includes the appearance of small, round, painless bumps. In the second phase an individual might experience a rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. The third phase can be fatal and damages the heart, brain, and other organs.
    • How do I get it?
      • Through unprotected sexual contact anal, vagnail or oral, and to fetuses in the womb.
    • What are the symptoms?
      • Rash, bumps, fever, trouble controlling motor functions, dementia, headaches, and numbness.
    • SPEAK TO YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU EXHIBIT ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS!!!!
    • How do I treat it?
      • Take antibiotics prescribed by doctors but any damage done is irreversible.

So, now that we have established what STIs are and how they are contracted, we can look at how to prevent them and take a look at contraception.

https://www.cdc.gov/std/default.htm

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/sterilization/what-are-benefits-sterilization

https://www.teenplaybook.org/what-if/lgbtq-guide/#trans