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If you are sexually active it is important to understand your risks for acquiring a sexually transmitted infection (STI). An STI can affect anyone regardless of gender, sexuality or relationship status. However, STIs are preventable and treatable.
It is important to stay educated on the risks and get tested at least once per year or if you have symptoms. Here are some need to know facts about STIs.
The most common “symptom” of STIs are no symptoms at all. This is why regular testing is important to anyone who is sexually active. Other common symptoms include discharge, itchiness, malodorous smells, rash, sores, pain when having sex or urinating and changes in the skin.
Each STI will have its own set of symptoms. These symptoms can cause great harm when left untreated. They could cause problems with fertility including pelvic inflammatory disease or strictures. Some STIs can even cause blindness, deafness and problems with cognition. Some STIs like HIV can even cause death.
Talk to your health care provider open and honestly about your sex life so they may assess your needs for testing frequency and what kinds of testing you may need.
Most commonly, STI’s are spread from one partner to another through sexual contact. Whether vaginal, oral, or anal sex, the infections can occur through exchanging bodily fluids like blood, semen, vaginal fluid and even through skin-to-skin contact. STIs can also be transferred from mother to child through pregnancy or birth, and from using shared needles. It is important to inform your provider about the type of sex or activities that are being engaged in so that you proper type of testing done.
There are many ways to reduce your risk of exposure outside of abstaining from sex:
The most important thing is to get tested regularly. Only then can an STI be identified and you can begin treatment. Not all STIs are curable but all can be treated to help to reduce symptoms.
It is important to get the vaccines for Hepatitis and HPV (human papilloma virus). These will help prevent you from acquiring these infections.
Test with partners before engaging in unprotected sex.
Use condoms consistently and correctly.
Chose to be in a mutually monogamous relationship with one partner.
Talk to your partner about their frequency in testing and test results.
It’s estimated that there are more than 20 million new STI cases in the U.S. every year. Depending on which infection a person might test for, different tests are required for detection. The four types of STI testing include: blood tests, urine tests, swabbing of the genitals, rectum, or throat, and testing of other body fluids.
Once the condition has been diagnosed, your provider will begin treatments that might include antibiotics or antivirals. For certain treatments you’ll want to avoid all sexual activity and tell your current and recent partners about your diagnosis.
If you are interested in getting tested, contact your primary care provider or visit a Community Health Network MedCheck location.
