WHAT ARE the COMMON SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (Stis)? This Information Was Current at the Time of Printing

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WHAT ARE THE COMMON SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STIs)? This information was current at the time of printing. For the most up-to-date and complete information, consult with your health care provider. Page 1 of 4 POSSIBLE STI TRANSMISSION SYMPTOMS TREATMENT TESTING PREVENTION COMPLICATIONS CHLAMYDIA Fluids—contact with Many patients have no symptoms. If In women: serious A number of commonly used Testing is conducted from a Barrier methods (latex, Pathogen: bacteria mucous membranes (cervix, present, they may include: Women— complications can antibiotics are effective. All partners vaginal or cervical swab in women, polyurethane, nitrile, or (C. trachomatis) urethra) and/or infected pain or dull aching in lower abdomen, occur if infection within the last 60 days should be a urine specimen in both men and polyisoprene condoms person’s fluids (semen and heavy feeling in pelvic area, pain with spreads to fallopian treated. women, and rectal swab when anal or dams) reduce risk. secretions). Most common urination or intercourse, heavier tubes, resulting in sex has occurred. A three month exposure through vaginal or menstrual flow, breakthrough bleeding, pelvic inflammatory In some states, it is legal to treat follow-up after a positive test result anal sex. May be transmitted heavy cervical discharge. Men— disease (PID). May lead partners without testing them. is recommended. Most repeat cases via oral sex. Chlamydia is not urethral discharge, pain with urination, to infertility and a risk are due to re-infection, not failure of transmitted through casual pain in scrotum (epididymitis). of tubal pregnancy and the antibiotic. contact with toilet seats or chronic pelvic pain. In by hugging or shaking hands. men: if untreated, may Annual screening is recommended A mother can transmit the lead to scarring of the for all sexually active women under infection to her baby during urethra. May ascend the age of 25. childbirth. and cause infection in the epididymis.

GONORRHEA Fluids—contact with Similar to chlamydia for both women Similar to chlamydia for A limited number of commonly used Screening is not recommended Barrier methods (latex, Pathogen: bacteria mucous membranes (cervix, and men. Most men with gonorrhea will both women and men. antibiotics are very effective. All except for high-risk individuals. For polyurethane, nitrile, or (N. gonorrhoeae) urethra) and/or infected have symptoms such as pain during In rare cases, gonor- partners within the last 60 days both men and women, screening polyisoprene condoms person’s fluids (semen, urination and unusual discharge from rhea can spread to the should be treated. Because the tests and cultures are available. or dams) reduce risk. secretions). Most common the urethra. The infection is often blood or joints and can bacteria are becoming resistant to exposure through vaginal or spread by those without symptoms or be life-threatening. many antibiotics, a combination of Testing is conducted from a vaginal anal sex. May be transmitted whose symptoms begin shortly after two antibiotics is recommended, one or cervical swab in women, a urine via oral sex. Not likely to transmission. Women may not have any of which is an injection. specimen in both men and women, be transmitted via casual symptoms until complications such as and rectal swab when anal sex has contact such as kissing. A PID arise. occurred. mother can transmit the infection to her baby during Rectal infection may include itching, childbirth. discharge, soreness, bleeding, or pain during bowel movements.

Throat infections may cause sore throat, but generally asymptomatic.

Co-infection with chlamydia is common. SYPHILIS Fluids and Contact— Occurs in three stages. Primary—pain- Late complications Common antibiotics during the early A microscopic examination can be Barrier methods (latex, Pathogen: bacteria direct contact with sores less ulcer. Secondary—rash, lymph can include severe stages. Very important that pregnant done on early lesions only. Testing polyurethane, nitrile, or (T.pallidum) and through oral, anal, and node enlargement, spotty baldness. neurologic dysfunction, women with positive blood tests be for syphilis can be done through a polyisoprene condoms vaginal sex. A mother can Late/Latent—vascular and neurological blindness, aortic aneu- treated to prevent congenital syphilis. blood sample. or dams) reduce risk. transmit the infection to her damage can occur rysm, and death. May Must treat all sexual partners. fetus/baby in the womb. also cause miscarriage.

STI TRANSMISSION SYMPTOMS POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS TREATMENT TESTING PREVENTION HEPATITIS A Contact—most commonly transmitted through Usually causes mild illness and Rarely fatal and usually does Generally, none. All A blood test is Barrier methods (latex, (HAV) oral-genital, or oral-anal contact. Casual contact is often mistaken for a stomach not cause liver damage sexual partners should done to confirm polyurethane, nitrile, or Pathogen: virus does not spread the virus. virus, although occasionally or the long-term, chronic receive vaccine. It can infection with polyisoprene condoms or dams) symptoms are more serious. symptoms that hepatitis B take up to two weeks to hepatitis A. reduce risk. Vaccination is available Jaundice (yellowing of the skin can cause. develop antibodies to and recommended for persons and eyes), fatigue, abdominal the virus. at higher risk, including men who pain, nausea, loss of appetite, have sex with men. Vaccine may be and fever are common. combined with hepatitis B vaccine. HEPATITIS B Fluids—contact with mucous membranes (cervix, Usually no symptoms at first. If Chronic liver disease occurs Generally, none. Sexual A blood test is Vaccination of all adolescents and (HBV) urethra, anal area) and/or infected person’s fluids disease progresses, symptoms in about half of cases. partners should receive done to confirm adults is highly recommended. Pathogen: virus (semen, saliva, blood, secretions). Most common may occur—fatigue, nausea, Cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver vaccine. infection with Avoid contact with blood, needles, exposure through vaginal or anal sex. Casual contact and jaundice (yellowing of the failure, or death may result. hepatitis B. etc. Barrier methods (latex, considered to be safe. Health care workers at risk skin and eyes) with dark urine. polyurethane, nitrile, or through scalpel cuts and needle sticks. A mother can polyisoprene condoms or dams) transmit the virus to her baby during childbirth. reduce risk. HEPATITIS C Blood—usually transmitted through exposure to Usually no symptoms, but About 75% of people Chronic hepatitis C is A blood test is Do not share needles with other (HSV) the blood of an infected person (e.g., through the some will experience jaundice develop chronic hepatitis treated with antiviral done to confirm drug users. Always use clean Pathogen: virus use of needles for intravenous drug use). Sexual (yellowing of the skin and eyes). C and may experience liver medications. infection with needles. Barrier methods (latex, transmission does occur but is less common. disease which can lead to hepatitis C. polyurethane, nitrile, or cirrhosis (scarring of the polyisoprene condoms or dams) liver). reduce risk. HERPES Contact—direct skin-to-skin contact (hand-gen- Genital lesions: single or multiple Recurrent, sometimes Antiviral drugs are If sores are Barrier methods (latex, SIMPLEX (HSV) ital, genital-genital, oral-genital, or anal-genital). fluid-filled blisters typically painful outbreaks. Infants effective if taken present, a culture polyurethane, nitrile, or Types l and ll Can be transmitted through non-penetrative sexual appear in the anal-genital area infected at or before birth early in the infection can be taken and polyisoprene condoms or dams) Pathogen: virus contact. Transmission can occur in the absence of and mouth. The blisters may sustain severe or continuously in a tested for the reduce risk. Lesions may be present lesions. Can be transmitted by engaging in unpro- rupture, sometimes leaving neurological damage or preventative regimen. herpes virus. If no in uncovered areas so barrier tected oral sex. A mother can transmit the virus to painful open sores. Symptoms death. People with HSV Topical anesthetics may sores are present, methods offer limited protection. her baby during childbirth. may also include a less well- l and ll infection have be helpful in reducing a blood test can defined rash or irritation or pain an increased risk of HIV discomfort. Treatments detect antibodies with urination. acquisition. can decrease the but is considered frequency and intensity less accurate of outbreaks, but the than a culture. infection is incurable.

Information provided by American College Health Association WHAT ARE THE COMMON SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STIs)? This information was current at the time of printing. For the most up-to-date and complete information, consult with your health care provider. Page 3 of 4 POSSIBLE STI TRANSMISSION SYMPTOMS TREATMENT TESTING PREVENTION COMPLICATIONS HUMAN Fluids—contact with mucous Initial infection may be followed Signs and symptoms Antiviral medications and Testing for HIV can be performed Barrier methods (latex, IMMUNODEFICIENCY membranes (cervix, urethra, anal by flu-like symptoms about two of AIDS. If untreated, specific medications for with a blood test or a mouth polyurethane, nitrile, or VIRUS/ACQUIRED area) and/or infected person’s fluids weeks after infection. Symptom- may progress to death. complications. Early diagnosis swab, detecting antibodies polyisoprene condoms or IMMUNODEFICIENCY (semen, saliva, blood, secretions). Most free—few months to many years. Treatment of and treatment offers the best to the virus. If a person tests dams) reduce risk. Avoid common exposure through anal or Early Symptoms (fevers, shingles, pregnant women with outcomes. positive for these antibodies, contact with needles, and SYNDROME (HIV/AIDS) vaginal sex, and, though uncommon, yeast infections)—few months to HIV greatly reduces the the test is repeated and then use only clean needles Pathogen: virus oral sex. Another form of transmission several years. AIDS (opportunistic risk of mother-to-child followed up by a second test, during injection drug use. is sharing needles during injection drug infections, cancers [Kaposi’s transmission. called the Western Blot, for Persons at increased use. Health care workers are at risk sarcoma, lymphoma, cervical confirmation. risk should be screened through scalpel cuts and needle sticks. cancer], dementia, and other regularly. A mother with HIV can transmit the neurological symptoms)—few virus to her baby in the womb, during months to several years. birth, or while breastfeeding. HUMAN Contact—direct skin-to-skin Usually no symptoms. Cervix— Can cause cervical In most individuals, the virus A Pap test detects cellular Barrier methods (latex, PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV) contact (hand-genital, genital-genital, Most cervical infections are cancer in women. Can is eventually cleared from changes on the cervix primarily polyurethane, nitrile, or Pathogen: virus anal-genital, or oral-genital). Can be invisible. Occasionally, cervical also cause cancers of the body without treatment caused by HPV. An abnormal polyisoprene condoms transmitted via non-penetrative warts may be present. External the penis, anus, vulva, within 2 years. Viral particles Pap can be followed by a or dams) reduce risk. sexual contact. A mother can transmit genitals and anus of men and vagina, or oropharynx may remain latent after confirmatory test to determine HPV can infect areas the virus to her baby during childbirth. women, and the vagina—warts (back of the throat, treatment. It Is unlikely that whether the changes are caused that are not covered by (flat or raised) can appear at the including base of the the presence of latent virus by HPV. This protocol varies by a condom. HPV vaccine site of transmission. These are tongue and tonsils). The without lesions can result in health care provider. People who is recommended by CDC usually benign and do not cause types of HPV that can transmission. Lesions can be engage in receptive anal sex for women ages 11-26 any long-term complications. cause genital warts are eliminated. Many treatments and oral sex may be at risk for years, men ages 11-21, not the same as the are available for genital warts. HPV infection, and a Pap test/ and men 26 years and types that can cause The most expensive does not screening can be used to detect younger who have sex cancer. Cervical cancer necessarily mean the best. the HPV virus in the anus, mouth, with men or who are im- can be prevented by Cervix—cryo (freezing), or throat. Currently, there is no munocompromised. Men detection and treat- laser, and LEEP. External— recommendations or guidelines aged 22 -26 years may ment of pre-cancerous cryo (freezing), laser, acid, for anal, mouth, or throat Paps also be vaccinated. changes. podophyllin, and prescription in detecting HPV. Speak to your cream. health care provider for more information. MOLLUSCUM Contact—direct skin-to-skin Small, round, raised lesions Secondary bacterial Cryo (freezing), laser, No practical testing Barrier methods (latex, CONTAGIOSUM contact (hand-genital, genital-genital, with a shiny surface and white infection. scraping, chemicals. May available—a diagnosis is made polyurethane, nitrile, or Pathogen: virus anal-genital, or oral-genital). Lesions discharge, located on genital skin spontaneously resolve. through visual inspection. polyisoprene condoms can open and transmit virus. Can be and also thighs or abdomen. May or dams) reduce risk. transmitted through non-penetrative itch. Lesions may be present sexual contact and touching a surface in uncovered areas, so with the virus such as a towel, clothing, barrier methods offer or toys. Can be spread to other parts of limited protection. the body by touching bumps.

Information provided by American College Health Association