Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

What is an STI?
How are STIs spread around?
Can STIs be cured?
Are there are STIs that can't be cured?
How do I know if I have an STI?
If I think I have an STI what should I do?

What is an STI?

Sexually transmitted infections are a group of infections that you get from sexual contact with someone who already has one. You may have also heard STIs called STDs. The terms “STD” and “STI” are referring to the same group of infections.

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How are STIs spread around?

Having anal sex (penis to anus), vaginal (penis to vagina) or oral sex (mouth to penis, anus, or vulva) are the three activities that will put you at highest risk for spreading or catching STIs.

For a chart that shows you what STIs can be spread through which activities, click here.

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Can STIs be cured?

Yes. There are five common STIs out there that you can get completely out of your body through treatment. Click on the name of the STI to learn more about it.

Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Syphilis
Pubic lice (Crabs)
Trichomoniasis

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Are there STIs that can’t be cured?

There are four common STIs out there that you’ll always have once you contract them. If you figure out you have them early enough, you can still live a long healthy life on treatment. Click on the name of the STI to learn more about it.

HIV/AIDS
Hepatitis
Herpes
HPV

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How do I know if I have an STI?

More often than not, even if you have the STI, you don’t know it because there are no symptoms. In many cases where you do have symptoms, they could be caused by any number of things, and the only person qualified to tell you for sure is a Medical Health Practitioner (like a Doctor or Nurse).

Some general symptoms that might tell you that you have an STI are:

• Itching
• Burning when you pee
• Blood in your pee
• Fluid coming out of the penis, vagina or anus that smells funny or is a strange color
• Open sores (painful or painless)

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If I think I have an STI, what should I do?

Your Gameplan/Things To Keep In Mind

• If you have any symptoms get tested right away.
• The only person who will know you have an STI or not is a health care practitioner, so if you're not sure, get tested.
• The most common thing that happens when you get an STI is NOTHING, so if you think you've been exposed, get tested even if you don't have any symptoms.
• Sometimes symptoms will go away, but that doesn't mean your STI is gone.
• Even with no symptoms you can still spread an STI.
• Leaving STIs untreated for long periods of time can cause health problems later in life.
• Don't let shame get in the way of coming in to get tested. Getting an STI is not the end of the world, dirty, or bad. Just like a cold or strep-throat, it's a health issue that a health practitioner is trained to help you with.

Click here for information on making an appointment at DCYHC.

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