Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also called sexually transmitted infections (STIs), are diseases and infections that are passed from person to person through sexual contact. HIV is an STD. There are more than 25 other STDs that are mainly spread by sexual contact such as vaginal, anal, and oral sex.

The US has the highest rate of STDs in the developed world. In the US, about 19 million new infections occur each year.  Teenage girls and young women need to be particularly aware of STDs. A recent study estimates that 1 in 4 teenage girls (aged 14-19) have an STD. African- Americans girls and young women have some of the highest rates of STDs, especially for chlamydia and gonorrhea. In addition, women suffer more frequent and more serious complications from STDs than men.

Many STDS have no symptoms, but can still be passed from person to person. A lot of people who have an STD don't even know it. They may look healthy, but they still could have an STD. The only way to know for sure is to have regular STD screenings from your healthcare provider.

If left untreated, STDs can cause serious health problems including cervical cancer, liver disease, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, and pregnancy problems. Having some STDs (such as chancroid, herpes, syphilis, and trichomoniasis) can increase the risk of your getting HIV if you are HIV-negative and get exposed to HIV. People with HIV may also be at greater risk to get or pass on other STDs.

Fortunately, many STDs can be prevented by practicing safer sex . And most STDs, though not all, can be successfully treated.

If there are signs of STDs, they are most likely to be in the genital area. The genital area in women includes the vulva (the area around the vagina including the lips), vagina (the opening where menstrual blood comes out), buttocks, and anus (the opening where stool comes out). The genital area in men includes the penis, scrotum (“balls”), and anus in men. Some of the most common STDs include:

This condition is caused by an imbalance of the bacteria that normally live in the vagina. Symptoms may include vaginal discharge, odor, pain, itching, or burning, but many women have no symptoms. BV can be treated with antibiotics. If left untreated, it can cause babies to be born prematurely in pregnant women. It also can spread to a woman’s upper, internal reproductive organs (ovaries and fallopian tubes) where it causes pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can lead to infertility (making it difficult or impossible to become pregnant).

This STD is caused by a specific bacteria. Symptoms may include genital sores, vaginal discharge, a burning feeling when urinating, and swollen lymph nodes in the groin. It can be spread by vaginal or anal sex or skin-to-skin contact with sores. Chancroid can be treated with antibiotics.

This is one of the most common STDs. It is caused by a specific bacteria. It can be spread by vaginal or anal sex and pregnant women can pass it on to their babies during delivery. Symptoms may include vaginal discharge and burning during urination but most women do not have any symptoms. Chlamydia can be successfully treated with antibiotics. If left untreated, it can spread to a woman’s upper, internal reproductive organs (ovaries and fallopian tubes) and cause PID.  Women, especially young women and women of color, are hardest hit by chlamydia. Yearly chlamydia screening is recommended for all sexually-active women under the age of 26, as well as for older women with risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners. Unfortunately, recent reports show that less than half of sexually-active women under 26 are screened for chlamydia, in part because of a lack of awareness among health care providers. If you are not offered a chlamydia test, you may want to request one from your health care provider.

HPV (human papillomavirus) is the name of a large group of viruses. Certain types of HPV cause warts on the hands or feet. Other types cause infections in the genital area that can lead to genital warts, cervical cancer, or cancer of the vulva, vagina, anus, and penis. Genital HPV is spread easily through skin-to-skin contact during vaginal or anal sex. Condoms do not totally prevent transmission. HIV+ people are more likely to be infected with HPV than HIV-negative people. HIV+ people with HPV are also more likely to develop genital warts, as well as cervical or anal cancer. It is important to detect HPV early and get treatment to prevent health problems. Regular Pap tests are a good way to detect HPV. There are also two HPV vaccines. Young people should get vaccinated before their first sexual contact (before they have been exposed to HPV). People who are already infected with HPV are not protected by the vaccines. For more information, see TWP info sheet on HPV.

This bacterial STD can be spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Symptoms may include a yellowish or greenish vaginal discharge and a burning feeling when urinating. Gonorrhea can also affect the anus and the throat. Many women have no symptoms. Gonorrhea can be treated with antibiotics. If left untreated, it can cause PID and infertility. All sexually-active women should be screened for gonorrhea.

Hepatitis is an inflammation (irritation) of the liver. Some types of hepatitis are caused by viruses and can be sexually transmitted, including hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HCV). HAV goes away on its own, but HBV and HCV can become chronic (long-term) and very serious. Because HBV and HCV often have no symptoms, most people are not aware that they have the infection. It is important for HIV+ people to be tested for HBV and HCV and treated if necessary. There is also a vaccine to prevent HAV and HBV, but not for HCV. See more on hepatitis in TWP info sheets.

This STD is caused by a virus that lives in the nerves. There are two common types of herpes. Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) usually causes cold sores around the mouth. Herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) usually causes sores in the genital area. Symptoms include itchy or painful blisters. The virus is spread through skin-to-skin contact with sores, but it may also spread even before sores can be seen on the infected person. In most people, the sores come and go, but the virus stays in the body for life. Genital HSV-2 infection is more common in women than men. In addition, HIV+ women may have more frequent or difficult to treat herpes outbreaks. There is no cure for herpes, but the antiviral drugs Zovirax (acyclovir), Valtrex (valacyclovir), and Famvir (famciclovir) can prevent outbreaks if taken daily and can shorten outbreaks and make them less severe if taken as soon as symptoms begin. Valtrex also can lower your risk of passing the infection to someone else. Pregnant women can pass herpes to their babies, so it is important to let your health care provider know if you have genital herpes and you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. More than 25 percent of HIV+ people do not know they are infected. Many of them look and feel healthy and do not think they are at risk. However, you are at risk and should be tested if:

• You have ever had vaginal, anal, or oral sex without a condom
• You have ever shared needles or syringes to inject drugs
• You are uncertain of your partner’s status or your partner is HIV+
• You are pregnant or are considering becoming pregnant
• You have ever been diagnosed with an STD
• You have hepatitis C
  

If left untreated, HIV can cause serious illness and death. If you test HIV+ there are effective medications to help you stay well. But you cannot get the health care and treatment you need if you do not know your HIV status. For more information on HIV, go to the section on TWP website called HIV: The Basics.

Pubic lice live in the pubic hair and can be transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. They can also be spread through infected clothes and bedding. Symptoms may include intense itching and seeing lice or eggs in the hair. Pubic lice can be treated with over-the-counter medications. However, pregnant women must use products specially designed for them. Contaminated clothes, bedding, and towels should be washed in hot water to kill lice and eggs and to prevent reinfection.

This STD is caused by a specific bacteria. It can be spread by vaginal, anal, or oral sex. The disease has various phases. People with primary syphilis (early disease) may have pain-free open sores, called chancres, in the genital area or around the mouth. The sores usually heal on their own in 3-6 weeks. People with secondary syphilis (a later stage of the disease) often have a rash and flu-like symptoms. If left untreated, syphilis can proceed to the latent stage during which it may have no visible symptoms but can cause damage to the heart, brain, and other organs. Syphilis can be successfully treated with antibiotics in its early stages. Without treatment, it can hurt your body’s organs, leading to severe illness and even death. Pregnant women can pass syphilis to their babies during pregnancy and childbirth, so it is important that pregnant women get tested for syphilis.  Syphilis had become very uncommon, but began to make a come back in 2001. This is mainly because of a recurrence of the disease among men who have sex with men (MSM), though cases among women have also been increasing in recent years.

This STD is caused by a parasite. It can be spread by vaginal sex. Trichomoniasis is a common cause of vaginal infections. Symptoms may include a foamy, foul-smelling vaginal discharge Trichomoniasis can be successfully treated with antibiotics.

You can greatly reduce your risk of getting many STDs by practicing safer sex. But be aware that some STDs like genital warts, herpes, and syphilis can be spread through contact with infected skin. If that skin is not inside the vagina or anus or on the penis (for example, if it’s in the mouth or throat), a condom will not protect you. Here are some tips for protecting yourself:

• Use a latex condom for vaginal and anal sex or a plastic condom if you are sensitive to latex
• The female condom can also prevent many STDs
• Use condoms for oral sex on a man
• Use latex or plastic barriers, such as a dental dams or plastic wrap, for oral sex on a woman or for oral-anal sex; use latex or plastic gloves if you have cuts or sores on your hands
• Use water-based lubricants (KY, Astroglide) with latex condoms or barriers
• DO NOT use oil-based products (Vaseline, body lotions) because they destroy latex
• Don’t use lubricants or condoms that contain nonoxynol-9 (N-9), which can damage the lining of the vagina or anus
• Wash shared sex toys (dildos, vibrators) or put on a fresh condom between users Know that some methods of birth control, like birth control pills, shots, implants, or diaphragms, will not protect you from STDs, if you use one of these methods also use a latex condom
• Talk with your sex partner(s) about STDs and using condoms
• Talk honestly with your health care provider and your sex partner(s) about any STDs you or your partner has or has had
• Have regular pelvic exams and Pap tests, but remember that Pap tests do not screen for STDs other than HPV
• Talk to your health care provider about having routine STD screening as part of your annual physical or gynecological exam
• Do not share needles or syringes for injecting drugs

There are many sexually transmitted diseases including HIV. Some can be cured with treatment. Some, like HIV, herpes and HPV, cannot be cured, but can be managed. Many can cause serious health and fertility problems or even death if left untreated. Practicing safer sex can protect you from many, but not all, STDs.

See your health-care provider right away about STDs if:

• You have had sexual contact with someone who may have an STD
• You have symptoms like genital sores, discharge, or burning when you urinate
• You are pregnant

You should get regular STD tests if you are sexually active, especially if you have sex with more than one partner. Many STDs don’t have symptoms. If needed, get the treatment your health care provider recommends. Even if the symptoms go away, you still need to finish treatment. If symptoms continue after treatment, see your health care provider. Also make sure your partner(s) gets treated, so that you don’t pass an infection back and forth.