What are STIs?
Important Things to Know
Warning Signs
Decreasing Your Risk

STIs (sexually transmitted infections) are a group of infections that spread from one person to another through sexual contact.

This includes any sexual contact that involves your mouth, sexual organs or anus.

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• You or your partner could have an STI and not know it.
• Most STIs can be detected by simple tests.
• Some STIs can be cured completely with the right tests and prompt medical treatment.
• If you have an STI, you should get treatment as soon as possible. Failure to treat some STIs could lead to infertility or other medical problems.
• While results of STI tests are kept between you and your clinician, reporting of some STI tests' positive results to public health agencies is required by law for statistical purposes.
• Since all STIs are spread from one person to another, it’s important to have your partner(s) tested and treated to prevent further spread.

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Many people who think they might have an infection hesitate to go for tests and treatment for many reasons. But the earlier a sexually transmitted infection is found, the easier it is to cure. If left untreated, most STIs can cause serious illness, reduce your ability to have children and even threaten the lives of your newborn children.

If you are sexually active, you should look for any of these possible warning signs:

• Unusual discharge from your sex organs
• Sores, bumps or blisters near your genitals, anus or mouth
• Painful urination
• Pelvic pain
• Unexplained fever

If you notice any of these warning signs, or think you might have been in contact with an STI, call your local health department, family planning clinic (such as Planned Parenthood) or private doctor to have a test set up as soon as possible.

If you have an infection, your clinician will ask you to contact anybody you’ve had sex with recently, so they can get the tests and treatment they need.

Avoid sexual contact until you have taken all of your medication and all symptoms are gone. You might have to return to your doctor or clinic for another test to be sure that your infection is cured.

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1) Use A Barrier Method
Latex male condoms: A latex condom on the penis during vaginal, oral or anal sex helps prevent the passing of infection from one person to another. Use of a spermicide such as foam or lubricants with nonoxynol-9 makes the condom more effective. If you notice any irritation from the spermicide, you may want to switch to a condom without nonoxynol-9. Other lubricants can decrease the effectiveness of a condom. Use water-based lubricants and avoid any that are oil-based (avoid baby oil, Vaseline, hand lotions or Crisco).

Polyurethane Male Condoms: These condoms are reported to be half as thick and twice as strong as latex condoms. They will not cause allergic reactions and can be used with oil-based lubricants. But be sure you have a polyurethane condom before using oil-based lubricants. When in doubt, use water-based lubricants!

Polyurethane Female Condoms: A female condom inserted into the vagina provides protection during intercourse. As with the male condom, use of nonoxynol-9 lubricant inside the female condom increases the effectiveness of the condom. Again, if you notice any irritation from the spermicide, you may want to switch to a condom without nonoxynol-9.

Dental Dams: Small latex squares used to cover the female genitals and/or anal area during oral sex help prevent the spread of infection. If dental dams are not available, cutting a condom or a latex glove and spreading it open can also serve the same purpose, as can a piece of plastic wrap (the type not recommended for microwaves). Using latex gloves can also prevent transmission when the hand comes in contact with the vagina, penis or anus.

2) Communicate With Your Partner(s)
Taking care of yourself includes knowing about the health of the person you are having sex with. If you notice that your partner has unusual symptoms (like a rash, sore, discharge, etc.) don’t have close contact until you know what’s going on. But remember, many people have STIs without having symptoms. The more sexual partners you have, the greater your chances of getting an infection, but no matter how many or how few partners you have, unprotected sex is risky.

3) Routine Care And Testing
The genital area should be cleaned daily, and before and after having sex. Urinating after sex helps prevent urinary tract infections in women—do not use douches; the vagina cleans itself. A foul odor tells you that you may have an infection and need to have a medical check-up. Remember, washing will not make the STI go away. Anyone who is sexually active should be tested regularly. Not all STIs have symptoms that you can see or feel. The only way to be sure you don’t have an infection is to have the right tests and examinations.

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Adapted from Planned Parenthood Federation of America.