Uncovering STIs

STDs and STIs (sexually transmitted diseases/infections) are used interchangeably but have a small difference. Essentially, an infection (STI) does not always lead to a disease (STD). STDs used to be the most commonly-used term, but the term has shifted to STIs in recent years. Here, we’ll keep with the trend and stick to using the term STI.

While the thought of having an STI might scare you, please don’t panic. The first thing you should do is contact a medical provider to get tested ASAP. It’s also best to keep from having any form of sexual contact with someone until you know if you have an STI or not. You can use our Clinic Finder to find a medical provider near you.

The only way to know for sure if you have an STI is to visit a health care provider and get tested. Many individuals may not experience a symptom to indicate they have an infection. There, you’ll receive treatment and learn how to avoid spreading the infection to others. You can learn about symptoms, available treatments and other details with our STI tool.

If you’re sexually active, you should get tested at least once a year or whenever you get a new partner, depending on the number of sexual partners you have and the protection you use. STIs can often go without symptoms (asymptomatic), especially in hard-to-see and hard-to-feel places like the female cervix or the anus, so it’s best to be safe and always get tested.

Using latex or polyurethane condoms (male or female) or dental dams can significantly reduce the risk of contracting or spreading an infection. It is important to remember that there are some STIs, like herpes and HPV, that condoms are less effective at preventing because they can be transmitted through skin-to-skin touching of the genitals that may not be covered by condoms. The only guaranteed protection is abstaining from sexual activity or only having sex with one STI-negative partner.

Abstaining from sexual activity or using protection when having sex. The HPV vaccine is recommended for people between the ages of 9 and 26 and protects against most cancers and genital warts caused by HPV. Generally, 2 doses are recommended to someone before their 15th birthday and 3 are recommended to someone between ages 15 to 26. Male and female condoms provide good protection from many STIs. It is also important to remember that there are some STIs, like herpes and HPV that condoms are less effective at preventing because they can be transmitted through skin-to-skin touching of the genitals that may not be covered by condoms. For those at risk of contracting HIV (people with multiple sexual partners or sharing needles), PrEP (Pre-Exposure prophylaxis) is a daily pill that reduces the risk of contraction by more than 90%. This pill has to be taken every day to be effective.

Yes, but in different ways. Some STIs can be transmitted to the fetus during pregnancy and others may be transmitted during the birth process if the mother has a STI at that time. There are tests available during the early stages of pregnancy to determine whether or not carrying mothers have any STIs. It’s best to talk with your doctor about your risks for STIs and how to reduce the chances of passing them to your baby.

While STIs do not immediately cause infertility, some STIs like chlamydia can prevent pregnancy, especially in repeat cases or in those that have not be treated by a medical health professional. It is important to get tested for STIs regularly and seek treatment for any infections as soon as possible.

Yes they can. Although there is no risk of pregnancy from oral sex, it is still possible for STIs to be transmitted. You can make oral sex even safer by using a latex condom or dental dam. To view a full STI list and discover how each can be transmitted, take a peek at our STI tool.

No. STIs are transmitted from one infected person to another during vaginal, anal or oral sex or through intimate sexual contact (i.e., hand jobs, genital-to-genital contact without penetration, etc.) and direct blood-to-blood contact (i.e. sharing an intravenous needle). To learn more about specific STIs and how they are spread, check out our STI tool.

If you have had unprotected sex, it is important to schedule an appointment with a health care provider as soon as possible and avoid sexual contact until you have been tested and diagnosed. However, keep in mind that some STIs do not show up on tests right away, for example, HIV can take a few weeks to a few months to appear.

Of the approximately 30 STIs identified throughout the world, all are treatable (i.e. helping reduce uncomfortable symptoms) but some are not curable. Check out our STI tool to see a full list of curable and treatable STIs.

Yes. There are tests available for all STIs, except for HPV in men. There are different tests for different STIs, and most are simple and non-invasive. The tests can range from blood or urine samples to vaginal swabs or small samples taken from the infected site (a sore, for example). Find a full STI list and all the test details in our STI tool.