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Sexually Transmitted Infections
Health Services > Sexually Transmitted Infections
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What Are Sexually Transmitted Infections?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are serious, sometimes painful, and can cause a lot of damage. Some STIs infect your sexual and reproductive organs. Others (HIV, hepatitis B, syphilis) cause general body infections. STIs used to be called VD, or venereal diseases.
Most STIs can be cured if you get treated. Sometimes you can have an STI with no signs or symptoms. Other times, the symptoms go away on their own. Either way, you still have the STI until you get treated. Some STIs cannot be cured.
How Are STIs Spread?
STIs are spread during intimate sexual activity. They are spread during vaginal, anal and oral sex. Some STIs (HIV and hepatitis B) are also spread by contact with infected blood.
Most STI germs need to live in warm, moist areas. That's why they infect the mouth, rectum and sex organs (vagina, vulva, penis and testes).
What to Do
If you think you might have an STI, get checked out. Don't just hope the STI will go away. It won't!
Most county health departments have special STI clinics. Private doctors also treat STIs. If you don't know where to get help, call your local family planning clinic for information. No matter where you get treated, your case will be kept confidential.
You may feel embarrassed about having an STI. It may be hard for you to go to a doctor or clinic for help, but you must get treatment for the STI, even if it is a hard thing for you to do. This is the only way you will get well.
Most STIs can be treated with antibiotics. To kill STI germs, do exactly what your doctor tells you. Be sure to use all of your medicine. You also must tell your sexual partner(s). If they aren't treated, they can spread the STI. They might even give it to you again! |
