Sexually Transmitted Infections(STI/STD)

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause many different symptoms. They may include:

• Abnormal discharge from the vagina or penis. This may get worse over a period of several days to 2 weeks.
• Pain, burning, or itching while you urinate that lasts for longer than 24 hours.
• Cloudy urine.
• Fever.
• Pain during sexual intercourse.
• Pain or a feeling of heaviness in the pelvis or lower belly.
• Itching, tingling, burning, or pain in the genitals.
• Sores, lumps, blisters, rashes, or warts on or around the genitals.
• Vaginal spotting or bleeding after sexual intercourse.
• Crusting at the tip of the penis.
• Other symptoms of an infection, such as a rash, fatigue or lack of energy, or swollen glands (lymph nodes).

These symptoms require medical attention. Avoid any sexual contact until you have been checked by your health professional.

Some things can increase your risk for an STI. For example, you're at higher risk if you:

• Have unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex (not using condoms or not using them correctly).
• Are a man who has sex with other men. (If you or your partner[s] don’t identify with the sex you were assigned at birth, talk to your doctor about your risk.)
• Have a new sex partner or more than one sex partner.
• Have a high-risk sex partner. High-risk partners include people who have more than one sex partner, people who have an STI, and people whose other partners have an STI.
• Are younger than age 25.
• Have a current STI or a history of STIs.
• Have sex while using alcohol or drugs.
• Trade sex for drugs or money.

To diagnose an STI, your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and your sexual history. You may also have a physical exam. Several types of tests can be used. Your doctor may test samples of urine, tissue, blood, or other fluid.

Treatment to relieve symptoms is available for all STIs, no matter what the cause, even if a cure is not possible. Some, but not all, STIs are treated with antibiotics.

• Some of the most common STIs—chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis—are caused by bacteria. These STIs are treated and cured with antibiotics.
• STIs caused by viruses, such as genital herpes and genital warts, are not cured with antibiotics. But treatments are available to relieve symptoms.
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS, is a sexually transmitted virus that is treated with many medicines but is not cured.

If you think that you have been exposed to an STI, go see your doctor right away. This will help prevent serious health problems for yourself. And it can reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others.

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

• You have new pain in your belly or pelvis.
• You have symptoms of a urinary tract infection. These may include:
  • Pain or burning when you urinate.
  • A frequent need to urinate without being able to pass much urine.
  • Pain in the flank, which is just below the rib cage and above the waist on either side of the back.
  • Blood in your urine.
  • A fever.
• You have new or worsening pain or swelling in the scrotum.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

• You have unusual vaginal bleeding.
• You have a discharge from the vagina or penis.
• You have any new symptoms, such as sores, bumps, rashes, blisters, or warts.
• You have itching, tingling, pain, or burning in the genital or anal area.
• You think you may have an STI.