Health Topics & Information

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are also called venereal diseases. You could get STIs by having vaginal, oral, or anal sex with someone who already has an STI. So STIs affect men and women of all races, rich and poor. However, women, young people and people of color are more likely to get an STI. STIs are caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites. Some STIs can be cured, but others can’t.

The only way to prevent STIs is not to have sex. If you do decide to have sex, there are a few things you can do to lower your chances of getting an STI:

Have sex with only one partner, who does not have an STI; the more sexual partners you have, the more likely you are to get an STI
Always use a condom and use a new one every time you have sex
Get regular checkups for STIs, even if you don’t have any symptoms
Use a clean needle if injecting intravenous drugs

If you get an STI, you may not feel sick at all. If diagnosed and treated early, most STIs get better and go away. If you have an STI:

Get treated as soon as possible to lower the risk of passing it on to others
Tell all your recent sexual partners and urge them to get tested
When your doctor prescribes medication, follow your doctor’s instructions
Do not have sex while being treated for an STI

What is HPV?

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that can lead to cancer. HPV is so common that nearly everyone sexually active will get the virus at some point in their lives. The HPV vaccine prevents cancers caused by HPV. All preteens (between the ages of 9 and 12) need the HPV vaccination to be protected from cancers caused by this virus. The HPV vaccine is given in three doses: the second shot is given 1 or 2 months after the first shot, then a third shot is given 6 months after the first shot. Protection produced by HPV vaccine lasts long term and is very safe.

STI Screening Recommendation by Age and Gender

STI	WOMEN	PREGNANT WOMEN	MEN	MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN (MSM)	PERSONS WITH HIV
Chlamydia	Sexually active women between 16-24 years of age; Sexually active women at aged 25 or older if at risk	All pregnant women; at aged 25 or older if at risk	MSM	Annually for sexually active MSM; every 3-6 months if at risk	For sexually active, one initial screening and annually thereafter
Gonorrhea	Sexually active women; at aged 25 or older if at risk	All pregnant women under 25 years of age and older women if at risk		Annually for sexually active MSM; every 3-6 months if at risk	For sexually active, one initial screening and annually thereafter
Syphilis		All pregnant women at first visit		Annually for sexually active MSM; every 3-6 months if at risk	For sexually active, one initial screening and annually thereafter
Trichomonas	Women at high risk of infection, with multiple partners, illicit drug use and history of STI				For sexually active women, one initial screening and annually thereafter
Herpes	Women with multiple sex partners and presenting other STI symptoms		Men with multiple sex partners and presenting other STI symptoms		Men with multiple sex partners and presenting other STI symptoms
HIV	All women aged 13-64. All women who seek evaluation and treatment for STI	All pregnant women should be screen at first prenatal visit	All men aged 13-64. All men who seek evaluation and treatment for STI	At least annually for sexually active MSM if HIV status is unknown
Cervical Cancer	Women 21-64 years of age every 3 years	Pregnant women should be screened at same intervals as non-pregnant women			Women should be screened with 1 year of sexual activity or initial HIV diagnosis
Hep B	Women at risk	Initial test at first prenatal visit and retest at delivery if at risk	Men at risk	All MSM should be tested	All persons with HIV should be tested
Hep C	Women born between 1945-1965; other women if risk factors are present	Pregnant women born between 1945-1965; other pregnant women if risk factors are present	Men born between 1945-1965; other men if risk factors are present	MSM born between 1945-1965; other MSM if risk factors are present	Test at initial evaluation; annually for MSM with HIV infection