STD Basics
The reality is this—STDs can happen to anyone sexually active. That’s why we’re here to give you the most up-to-date information about the signs, symptoms, and treatments for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
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Chlamydia
A common STI that often shows no symptoms. Easily detected and treated with antibiotics before it causes long-term health issues.
Gonorrhea
A sexually transmitted bacterial infection that may not show symptoms right away. It can be easily treated with antibiotics.
HPV & Genital Warts
One of the most common STIs. Some types of HPV can cause genital warts, while others may lead to serious health issues.
Syphilis
A contagious sexually transmitted bacterial infection. Regular testing can help catch it early and treat it with simple medication.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a common infection that spreads through sex. You can get it from vaginal, anal, or oral sex without a condom even if your partner doesn’t ejaculate. Many people with chlamydia don’t have symptoms, so they might not know they have it. But they can still pass it to others.
Chlamydia is easy to treat. Taking all the antibiotics your doctor gives you will stop the infection and help prevent future health problems.
Common Symptoms
- Pain or burning while urinating
- Unusual discharge (milky, watery, yellowish, strong-smelling) from the penis or vagina
- Swelling of the anus, testicles, or vagina
- Bleeding between periods
- Pain during vaginal sex
- Lower abdominal pain
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted bacterial infection. It often has no symptoms but it can still spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. You can get it even if your partner doesn’t ejaculate. Oral sex without a condom can also pass the infection, and it can cause a sore throat if caught that way.
Some types of gonorrhea have become harder to treat because they don’t respond to certain antibiotics. This is called antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea and is more common among gay and bisexual men. The good news is that doctors can still treat it, usually with two antibiotics taken together. Getting treated early helps prevent long-term health problems.
Common Symptoms
- Frequent urination
- Sharp pain in the lower abdomen
- Burning during urination or ejaculation
- Increased, greenish, or yellowish discharge from the penis or vagina
- Bleeding between periods
- Anal discharge or bloody bowel movements
- Itching around the anus
HPV & Genital Warts
HPV is a very common infection that spreads through skin-to-skin contact during sex. It’s usually passed during vaginal or anal sex, but it can also spread through close touching during sex. Most of the time, HPV goes away on its own within two years and doesn’t cause any problems. But sometimes it sticks around and can lead to genital warts or even certain types of cancer.
There’s no cure, but warts can be treated. And there’s a safe, effective vaccine that helps protect against the most harmful types of HPV.
HPV Symptoms for Women:
If there are symptoms, they can include:
- Pain during sex
- Genital warts on vulva
- Pain in the pelvic region
- Abnormal discharge from the vagina
- Unusual bleeding, such as after sex
HPV Symptoms for Men:
If there are symptoms, they can include:
- Genital warts on the penis, scrotum, or around the anus
- Itching or discomfort in the genital area
- Small growths or lumps
- Irritation or bleeding with warts
- Changes in skin texture around the genitals
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Syphilis
Syphilis is a bacterial infection that spreads through direct contact with a syphilis sore during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. While it’s rare to spread syphilis through kissing, it can happen if sores are present in the mouth. You can get it again even if you’ve had it before and were treated. That’s because treatment doesn’t make you immune to future infections.
Syphilis develops in stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. Each stage has different symptoms, and some are easy to miss. Without treatment, syphilis can lead to serious health problems over time. A simple test can catch syphilis early, and treatment with antibiotics can clear the infection.
Common Symptoms:
- Small, painless sores (often around the genitals, anus, or mouth)
- Skin rashes, often on the hands or feet
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Tiredness
- Hair loss in patches
- Sore throat or muscle aches
About STD Testing
Many STDs are common and easy to treat, but only if you know you have them. Since most don’t cause obvious symptoms, regular testing is the best way to protect your health and the health of your partner(s).
Regular testing can prevent long-term problems like infertility or an increased risk of HIV. The U.S. has one of the highest rates of STIs in the developed world, but testing is more accessible than ever. Get quick, walk-in testing at an AHF Wellness Center near you.
Why Get Tested?
- Most STDs have no symptoms.
- You can pass an infection without knowing.
- Testing protects you and your partner(s).
- STDs can affect future health if left untreated.
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Take control of your health. Get HIV and STD testing at an AHF Wellness Center today.