Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a bacterium that can cause sterility, arthritis, and heart problems. Symptoms for women include burning during urination, menstrual irregularities, lower abdominal pain, pain during sex or pelvic exam, a yellowish or green discharge from the vagina, and swelling of the vulva. Men with Gonorrhea experience a pus-like discharge from the urethra or pain during urination. Gonorrhea is spread through vaginal, oral, and anal sex. Additionally, it can be spread in the eyes. Using condoms is an excellent way to avoid this sexually transmitted infection. A urine test is available to test for Gonorrhea.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a bacterium that can affect a variety of body parts, but typically targets the cervix in women and the urethra in men. In both men and women, the bacterium can spread further into the reproductive organs and cause sterility. Chlamydia is the most commonly transmitted bacterial infection in America. Symptoms appear only 25% of the time for women and 50% of the time for me. They include unusual discharge, pain during urination, inflammation, and pain during intercourse. Chlamydia is spread through vaginal, oral, and anal sex. It can be treated with antibiotics. Condoms provide good protection from this STI. Chlamydia can be tested for by a simple urine test.

Syphilis

Syphilis is divided into three distinct phases. The first phase includes painless sores that last for 3-6 weeks and that appear generally on the genitals, vagina, cervix, lips, mouth, or anus. This is the only stage of syphilis in which someone is contagious. If someone is not treated during the primary phase, they can move into the secondary phase, which occurs 3-6 weeks after the sores appear. It includes flu like symptoms and rashes on the hands and soles of the feet. These symptoms can appear sporadically for up to two years. If syphilis is not treated during this phase, it can move into latent and then late phase syphilis, which can cause neurological damage and sometimes death. If detected, syphilis is easily treated with antibiotics. Syphilis is spread through contact with a syphilis sore during kissing or vaginal, oral, and anal sex. Condoms provide limited protection from this STI. A blood test is usually necessary to diagnose Syphilis.

Genital Herpes (HSV-1 &HSV-2)

HSV-1: HSV-1 is better known as oral herpes. It produces sores around the lips and mouth. It is believed 3 in 5 adults may be infected with HSV-1. There is no cure. It is possible to spread HSV-1 to a partner's genitals during oral sex.

HSV-2: HSV-2 is better known as genital herpes. It produces sores around the genitals. There is no cure. It is possible to spread HSV-2 to a partner's mouth during oral sex.

Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 are contagious during outbreaks, as well as between outbreaks as the virus may continue to shed for weeks after the conclusion of an outbreak. HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be spread during kissing, intimate touching, and vaginal, oral, and anal sex. The best protection is to refrain from sexual activity during outbreaks, as well as for seven days after the sores have swollen. Anti-herpes medications do not cure herpes but can reduce the risk of passing on the infection. Herpes can be tested for with a blood test.

Genital Warts

Genital warts are caused by the "low-risk" strains of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). The warts can appear on the genitals, or in the urethra, anus, or throat. HPV is spread during vaginal, oral, and anal sex. There are a variety of treatments to remove warts, but there is not cure. Condoms reduce the risk of transmission, but the virus may shed in areas affected by warts outside the areas protected by a condom. Gardasil, the HPV vaccine, protects against the two strains of HPV that cause most genital warts. Genital warts can be diagnosed through examination of the warts during a physical or gynecological exam.

HPV

HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) is the virus responsible for genital warts, as well as abnormal cervical cell growth which can lead to cervical cancer. Abnormal cell growth can be detected by a clinician during a routine PAP smear. If cervical cancer appears, symptoms include pain and bleeding, especially during intercourse. Abnormal cell growth can be treated in a variety of ways, but there is no cure. Condoms provide limited protection. The HPV vaccine (Gardasil) provides protection against the two "high risk" strains of HPV responsible for most cases of abnormal cell growth. PAP tests can diagnose cervical cancer.

HIV/AIDS

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) attacks your body's immune system. Symptoms may not occur for years after infection. Though no symptoms may be present, HIV is constantly weakening your immune system. Eventually, opportunistic infections (such as pneumonia), as well as a variety of chronic diseases and cancers will be caused by the body's weakened ability to fight off disease. After a certain amount of opportunistic infections occur, a diagnosis of AIDS (Acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is given. HIV is carried in blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk. It is spread through contact with any of these fluids-most often during vaginal and anal sex and needle sharing. There is no cure for HIV/AIDS. HIV can be managed with medications to delay the onset of AIDS. AIDS can only be managed through treating opportunistic infections, but to this day, has always resulted in death. Condoms provide excellent protection from this STI. HIV can be detected through blood or urine tests, as well as an oral swab.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is caused by the Hepatitis B virus. Often, no symptoms occur, but symptoms can include fatigue, fever, and lack of appetite. Hepatitis B attacks the liver and eventually leads to liver damage or failure. Hep B is found in saliva, blood, semen, and urine and can be spread through intimate touching and kissing, vaginal, oral, and anal sex, as well as through needle sharing. In some people, the infection clears on its own, but others may remain infected and contagious for life. Hepatitis B can be prevented by a series of vaccines. Condoms provide limited protection. A blood test can be used to diagnose Hepatitis B.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a virus that attacks the liver and can cause serious damage or even failure. Though it is only rarely spread through sex, it is possible to contract Hepatitis C during vaginal, oral, and anal sex. There is no vaccine. There are treatments available that can provide a cure for some people, but others may be infected chronically for the rest of their lives. Condoms provide limited protection. Hepatitis C can be diagnosed through a blood test.

Crabs (Pubic Lice)

Pubic lice are single celled organisms that reside in the hair follicle. They cause intense itching as well as mild fever and fatigue. Pubic lice are spread a variety of ways, including contact with infected bedding and clothing, as well as through intimate and sexual contact. Pubic lice can be self diagnosed with the naked eye. Crabs can be easily treated with over the counter shampoos. Pubic lice are highly contagious. Condoms provide little protection from this STI.

Trich

Trichomoniasis is caused by a single celled animal. Men rarely have symptoms. Women present with symptoms ranging from frothy, unpleasant smelling discharge, to itching around the vagina and painful urination. Trich is spread through vaginal intercourse and mutual masturbation. Trich is easily treated with drugs. When a female is diagnosed with trich, her partner(s) receive automatic treatment. This is because though men rarely show symptoms, they can be contagious and continually reinfect their female partners. Condoms provide excellent protection against this STI. Trichomoniasis can be diagnosed through examination of vaginal discharge.