We know, it’s awful. It’s something that creeps into your head and you do your very best to push it out again. STD’s are a threat to all of us, with condoms, without condoms, missionary or bukakay… if you’re having sex, then you could be in danger. Just get yourself checked, chances are you’ll be fine, but here’s a list to freak the shit out of you anyway.
Chancroid
Chancroid is caused by a type of bacteria called Haemophilus ducreyi. It is almost always spread through sexual contact. Uncircumcised men are at much higher risk than circumcised men for getting chancroid from an infected partner.
Common? Rare
Symptoms: Open genital sores, may produce pus, may be painful, swollen glands in the groin. In women, less obvious symptoms produce painful urination, painful intercourse, rectal bleeding, or unusual vaginal discharge
Cure? Antibiotics
Type: Bacterial
Test: Pus examined via microscope, culture of a sore or through a blood test – must see healthcare provider because Chancroid symptoms are difficult to differentiate between symptoms of more common STDs
Life long? No
Life Threatening? No
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Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a disease caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. It is most commonly sexually transmitted. Chlamydia can infect the penis, vagina, cervix, anus, urethra, eye, or throat.
Common? Very common - Around 3 million people infected in the U.S. annually
Symptoms: Usually none! Sometimes abdominal pain, abnormal discharge, fever, bleeding between periods, swollen or tender testicles, swelling around the anus, pain or burning while urinating, etc. Can infect the eyes and throat as well.
Cure? Antibiotics
Type: Bacterial
Test: Cell samples or urine test
Life-Long? No
Life-Threatening? No, but left untreated, it can become a serious threat – leading to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and sterility, epididymitis and reactive arthritis
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Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus that is transmitted through many bodily fluids. It is usually spread during casual contact, and it can also be transmitted during sex.
Common? Quite common – 4 out of every 10 Americans get CMV by the time they reach puberty – Around 1 to 3 million people infected in the U.S. annually
Symptoms: Usually none! Sometimes swollen glands, fatigue, fever, irritation of the digestive tract, nausea, diarrhea, and jaundice. Rarely, blindness and mental disorders.
Cure? No cure – managed with medicine
Type: Viral
Test: Blood test
Life long? Yes
Life threatening? No, but it can be very dangerous for people with weakened immune systems. Cytomegalovirus can also be passed from a pregnant woman to her unborn baby. Congenital cytomegalovirus infection passed from a pregnant mother to her baby can cause long-term problems, including growth disturbances, vision or hearing loss, or mental disability.
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Genital Warts (HPV)
Genital Warts are soft growths on the skin and mucus membranes of the genitals. They may be found on the penis, vulva, urethra,vagina, cervix, and around and in the anus. The virus that causes genital warts is called human papillomavirus (HPV). Not all types of HPV cause genital warts. Certain types of HPV can lead to precancerous changes in the cervix, cervical cancer, or anal cancer. These are called high-risk types of HPV.
Common? Quite common - Around 500,000 to 1 million people infected in the U.S. annually
Symptoms: Flesh-colored, soft-to-the-touch bumps on the skill which may look like the surface of cauliflower. Usually, painless, but may itch. Can be on the vagina, vulva, cervix, penis, anus, or urethra. Sometimes, but less likely, in the mouth, on the lips, tongue, palate, or in the throat
Cure? Often, the body fights the virus and they go away on their own. They can be frozen off, burned off, lasered off, or injected with medication. There are also some medications that can be used at home. For some, the warts return after treatment and even after long periods of time.
Type? Viral
Test: Pelvic exam – must see healthcare provider
Life-Long? Maybe
Life-Threatening? No
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Gonorrhea (‘The Clap’)
Gonorrhea is caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Anyone who has any type of sex can catch gonorrhea. The infection can be spread by contact with the mouth, vagina, penis, or anus.
Common? Quite common - Around 600,000-700,000 people infected in the U.S. annually
Symptoms: Usually none! Sometimes, abdominal pain, bleeding between periods, fever, painful intercourse, painful urination, pus-like discharge, throwing-up, swelling or tenderness of the vulva, anal itching, painful bowel movements. Sometimes itching or soreness in the throat
Cure? Antibiotics
Type? Bacterial
Test: Cell samples, discharge samples, or urine samples
Life-Long? No
Life-Threatening? No, but left untreated, it can be a serious health risk causing infertility, arthritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, epididymitis, disseminated gonococcal infection, premature labor, and stillbirth as well as the risk of being passed to the fetus
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Hepatitis (A, B & C)
Hepatitis is swelling and inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis can be caused by infections from viruses (such as hepatitis A, B, or C), bacteria, parasites, or other factors. Hepatitis A can be transmitted if you participate in sexual practices that involve oral-anal contact. Hepatitis B infection can be spread through having contact with the blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and other body fluids of someone who already has a hepatitis B infection. Hepatitis C can be spread through having unprotected sexual contact with a person who has hepatitis C (this risk is much less common than hepatitis B, but the risk is higher for those who have many sex partners, already have a sexually transmitted disease, or are infected with HIV)
Common? Quite common – Around 300,000 to 700,000 people infected in the U.S. annually - Hepatitis B is most common, but Hepatitis A and C can also be sexually transmitted
Symptoms: Often there are no symptoms (1 in 2 adults with Hepatitis B have no symptoms) – extreme fatigue, tenderness and pain in the lower abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, pain in the joints, headache, fever, hives, dark urine, pale-colored bowel movements, jaundice
Cure? No cure – in most cases of Hep-A, hepatitis goes away by itself. In other cases, adults with Hepatitis B (HBV) and 9 of 10 infants who get HBV at birth are carriers and will have chronic HBV and remain contagious for life. Approx. 1.25 million carriers in the U.S. Hep-C can be treated, but not necessarily cured.
Type: Viral
Test: Blood test
Life-Long? Maybe
Life-Threatening? Maybe – 1 out of 5 people with chronic HBV die from the infection. Others can develop severe liver disease including liver damage and liver cancer
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Herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2)
Herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 (HSV-1 & HSV-2). HSV-1 usually affects the mouth and lips and causes cold sores or fever blisters. However, it can spread from the mouth to the genitals during oral sex. HSV-2 most often causes genital herpes. HSV-2 can be spread through secretions from the mouth or genitals. You may become infected with herpes if your skin, vagina, penis, or mouth comes into contact with someone who already has herpes. You are most likely to get herpes if you touch the skin of someone who has herpes sores, blisters, or a rash. However, the herpes virus can still be spread even when no sores or other symptoms are present.
Common? Quite common – About 8 of every 10 adults has oral herpes and 1 of every 4 adults has genital herpes (Both forms of herpes can infect the oral area, the genital area, or both. When an infection is near the mouth, it is called oral herpes or HSV-1 and when an infection is near the genitals it is called genital herpes or HSV-2.) Around 750,000 to 1 million people infected in the U.S. annually
Symptoms: Most people with genital herpes have no symptoms, have very mild symptoms that go unnoticed, or have symptoms but do not recognize them as a sign of infection. The most common herpes symptom is a cluster of blistery sores — usually on the vagina, vulva, cervix, penis, buttocks, or anus. Symptoms may last several weeks and go away. They may return in weeks, months, or years.
Cure? No cure – managed with medicine
Type: Viral
Test: Sores examined and fluids from the sores tested, Blood test
Life-Long? Yes
Life-Threatening? No, however – though rare, contact with herpes sores during delivery can lead to a severe, life-threatening infection for the baby. Also, people with genital herpes have at least twice the risk of getting HIV if exposed to it than people without herpes
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HIV & AIDS
HIV infection is a condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV can be spread by the following: Through sexual contact – including oral, vaginal, and anal sex; Through blood – through blood transfusions, accidental needle sticks, or needle sharing; From mother to child – a pregnant woman can transmit the virus to her fetus through their shared blood circulation, or a nursing mother can pass it to her baby in her breast milk. Almost all people infected with HIV will develop AIDS if not treated. However, there is a small group of people who develop AIDS very slowly, or never at all. These patients are called long-term non-progressors.
Common? Somewhat common – In the United States, more than 980,000 cases of AIDS have been reported to the government. Around 48,000 people infected in the U.S. annually
Symptoms: Some people develop HIV symptoms shortly after being infected, but it usually takes more than 10 years. There are several stages of HIV disease. The first HIV symptoms may include swollen glands in the throat, armpit, or groin. Other early HIV symptoms include slight fever, headaches, fatigue, and muscle aches. These symptoms may last for only a few weeks. Then there are usually no HIV symptoms for many years. AIDS symptoms appear in the most advanced stage of HIV disease. In addition to a badly damaged immune system, a person with AIDS may also have thrush, severe or recurring vaginal yeast infections, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, tiredness, dizziness, headaches, rapid weight loss, bruising, severe and frequent infections, rashes, growths, shortness of breath and dry coughing, to name a few.
Cure? No cure – managed with medicine
Type: Viral
Test: Blood test, oral swabs
Life-Long? Yes
Life-Threatening? Maybe – but thanks to “cocktails” for the immune system and improved therapies for the symptoms of AIDS, people are now able to live with HIV/AIDS for many years. Without treatment, about 25 out of 100 babies born to women with HIV are also infected.
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Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
There are more than 70 types of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Some types produce warts — plantar warts on the feet and common hand warts. About 40 types of HPV can infect the genital area — the vulva, vagina, cervix, rectum, anus, penis, or scrotum. HPV infection spreads from one person to another through sexual contact involving the anus, mouth, or vagina. Certain types of HPV can lead to precancerous changes in the cervix, cervical cancer, or anal cancer. These are called high-risk types of HPV.
Common? Very common – about half of all men and more than 3 out of 4 women have HPV at some point in their lives. Most people who have the human papillomavirus don’t know it. Around 5.5 million people infected in the U.S. annually
Symptoms: Although most HPV infections go away within 8 to 13 months, some will not. Human Papillomavirus infections that do not go away can “hide” in the body for years and not be detected. There aren’t any human papillomavirus symptoms for high-risk types of HPV in women or men. Most people feel fine even when they have cell changes caused by HPV.Cure?No cure – There is currently no HPV treatment to cure the human papillomavirus itself. Most HPV infections are harmless, do not require treatment, and go away by themselves. Treatment is available for the abnormal cell changes in the cervix that are caused by the human papillomavirus. Common treatments include colposcopy, cryotherapy, and LEEP.
Type: Viral
Test: For women – pap tests and in certain situations, HPV tests
For men there is no HPV test – does not cause problems in men
Life-Long? Maybe
Life-Threatening? Maybe – high-risk types of genital Human Papillomavirus can cause cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulva, anus, penis, and throat
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Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV)
Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV) is a chronic (long-term) infection of the lymphatic system caused by three different types of the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. The bacteria spreads through sexual contact. The infection is not caused by the same bacteria that causes genital chlamydia.
Common? Thought to be rare – however, its identification is not always obvious, so the number of cases of LGV in the United States is uncertain - Around 500 people infected in the U.S. annually (known cases)
Symptoms: Genital papule(s) (e.g., raised surface or bumps) and or ulcers, and swelling of the lymph glands in the genital area. LGV may also produce rectal ulcers, bleeding, pain, and discharge, especially among those who practice receptive anal intercourse.
Cure? Three weeks of antibiotics
Type: Bacterial
Test: A health care provider can collect a specimen and send the sample to his/her state health department for referral to CDC
Life-Long? No
Life-Threatening? No – however, LGV may facilitate transmission and acquisition of HIV
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Mycoplasma Genitalium
Mycoplasma Genitalium is a bacterium that can infect the urethra, cervix, throat and anus. Mycoplasma genitalium is often associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV) and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women, and is a common cause of non-gonococcal urethritis in men. It has only recently been identified as a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is spread through vaginal, anal or oral sex. It can also be transmitted by sex toys and hands and fingers if they have been in contact with an infected person’s genitals or anus.
Common? Quite common - Around 200,000 to 800,000 people infected in the U.S. annually
Symptoms: Small, waxy, round growths in the genital area or on the thighs. There is often a tiny indentation in the middle of the growth. Symptoms usually appear between two to three months after infection. Often there are no other symptoms. But sometimes the bumps may itch or feel tender to the touch.
Cure? A health care provider can remove the small growths with chemicals, with an electrical current, or by freezing them. Or you can use a prescription medicine that can be applied at home.
Type: Viral
Test: Examining the growths. Your provider may also take a scraping from a growth to look at with a microscope.
Life-Long? No
Life-Threatening? No
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Nongonococcal Urethritis (NGU)
NGU (Nongonococcal Urethritis) is an infection of the urethra caused by pathogens (germs) other than gonorrhea. Pathogens that can cause NGU include but are not limited to: Chlamydia (most common), Herpes simplex virus (rare), & Mycoplasma genitalium.
Common? Very common - Around 3 million people infected in the U.S. annually – rarely affects women
Symptoms: Often no obvious symptoms occur – when symptoms do occur they may include genital discharge, pain or burning while urinating, itching, or genital soreness. NGU of the throat can cause a sore throat.
Cure? Treated with antibiotics
Type: Bacterial
Test: A medical practitioner can diagnose through visible urethral inflammation (swelling) in men, urethral swab or oral swab, and via a pap smear in women
Life-Long? No
Life-Threatening? No, but left untreated nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) can cause epididymitis in men or pelvic inflammatory disease in women – both of which can lead to infertility.
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Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) occurs when bacteria moves from the vagina or cervix into the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, or pelvis. Most cases of PID are due to the bacteria that causes chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Common? Quite common. Around 1 million women infected in the U.S. annually
Symptoms: Many women do not know that they have pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Some cases of PID may have no symptoms at all. Later, vaginal discharge, spotting and pain between periods, pain in the lower abdomen and back, fever, chills, nausea, vomitting, pain during vaginal intercourse
Cure? Antibiotics – In more developed cases, surgery may be needed to repair or remove reproductive organs
Type: Bacterial – Many different types of bacteria can cause PID, but most cases of PID are caused by the Chlamydia and Gonorrhea bacteria
Test: Pelvic exam. Tests will also be done for chlamydia, gonorrhea , or other infections, because they often cause PID. They may also do a blood test, test of secretions, or a laparoscopy
Life-Long? No
Life-Threatening? No, but it can cause serious problems, such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pain
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Pubic Lice (‘Crabs’)
Pubic Lice are small, six-legged creatures that infect the pubic hair area and lay eggs. Infestation is found mostly in teenagers and usually spreads during sexual activity.
Common? Very common. Around 2.5 million people infected in the U.S. annually
Symptoms: Intense itching in the genitals or anus, mild fever, irritability, the presence of live or small egg sacs (called nits) in pubic hair
Cure? Common brands of over-the-counter pubic lice medicine are A-200, RID, and Nix. Stronger prescription medications also available.
Type: Parasitic
Test: People often diagnose themselves with pubic lice. You can also see your health care provider.
Life-Long? No
Life-Threatening? No
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Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It has often been called “the great imitator” because so many of the signs and symptoms are indistinguishable from those of other diseases. Syphilis is passed from person to person through direct contact with a syphilis sore through vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
Common? Very common. Around 2.5 million people infected in the U.S. annually
Symptoms: Intense itching in the genitals or anus, mild fever, irritability, the presence of live or small egg sacs (called nits) in pubic hair
Cure? Common brands of over-the-counter pubic lice medicine are A-200, RID, and Nix. Stronger prescription medications also available.
Type: Parasitic
Test: People often diagnose themselves with pubic lice. You can also see your health care provider.
Life-Long? No
Life-Threatening? No
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Vaginitis (Thrush, Yeast)
Vaginitis can affect women of all ages and is extremely common. It can be caused by bacteria, yeasts, viruses, and other parasites. Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can also cause vaginitis, as can various chemicals found in bubble baths, soaps, and perfumes. Environmental factors such as poor hygiene and allergens may also cause this condition.
Common? Very common - Nearly every woman gets vaginitis at some point in her life - Around 20 million women infected in the U.S. annually
Symptoms: Vagina or vulva may be red, irritated, or uncomfortable. Vaginal fluid come out of the vagina that is different from usual discharge. The discharge may have an unpleasant smell. There may be itching or burning in or around the vagina. Vaginal intercourse may be uncomfortable. One may feel as if they need to urinate (pee) more often than usual.
Cure? Creams, suppositories, vaginal tablets, or oral medicines. Some medicines are available without a prescription.
Type: Can be bacterial, viral, fungal (yeasts), or parasitic
Test: Pelvic exam or sample of dischange
Life-Long? No
Life-Threatening? No – however, pregnant women with bacterial vaginosis have a higher risk of miscarriage, especially in the first trimester. Bacterial vaginosis is associated with premature delivery, low birth weight, and pelvic inflammatory disease. Vaginitis can also increase the risk for HIV infection.
For more information: The STD project
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