STI 101 ... Get the Facts!
| STI | Common Symptoms and Information* | Treatment |
| Chlamydia | Known as the "silent" STD because as many as 3/4 of the women and 1/2 of the men with the disease have no symptoms. |
Curable. Treatment: A dose of anibotics. |
| Gonorrhea | Symptoms usually occur within 2-10 days after sexual contact with an infected partner. |
Curable. Treatment: A single dose of antibiotics, however if the infection is complicated, several doses may be necessary. |
| Syphilis | Early symptoms can range from: Single chancre sore to a rash on the body that does not itch. |
Curable. |
| HPV/Genital Warts (Human Papillomavirus) |
** HPV is spread through skin to skin contact, meaning, a condom will not always be able to protect you from contracting this disease. Even without a visable outbreak, the disease can still be spread between partners.** Genital warts are the most common and most easily recognized symptom of HPV. However, many people can have HPV without ever having a genital warts outbreak. |
There is no way to determine whether warts will grow or disappear. |
| Herpes | Most people with herpes have no syptoms and are unaware of the infection. Symptoms can include: Clusters of blisters, bumps and rashes in the genital area. |
There is no cure for genital herpes. Some precripction drugs may help to limit the number of outbreaks and the severity of the outbreaks. |
| Hepatitis B | 50% of Hepatitis B cases carry no symptoms. Symptoms can include: Fever, fatigue, muscle or joint pain, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. Many confuse these symptoms with those of the flu. |
Hepatitis B is a preventable disease-- through the use of a vaccine. Since sex is not the only way you can contract this disease, the vaccine is the best way to protect yourself. |
| HIV/AIDS | On average, it takes up to 7-10 years to develop symptoms. However, with regular testing, the disease can be caught in its early stages. The first symptoms of the disease include: swollen lymph glands in the armpit, throat, or groin, a slight fever, headaches, fatigue, and muscle aches. |
There is currently no cure for HIV/AIDS. |
* Symptoms vary between each person. All information provided is provided as general information only. Any medical information should not be treated as a substitute for the medical information received by visiting your doctor. You should ALWAYS seek the advice of a doctor regarding any personal health concerns or questions you may have regarding your medical care.
For more information on STD's and Smarter Sex, visit SmarterSex.org
Educate Yourself to Protect Yourself!
What's your risk?
| Sexual Activity | Some Possible Risks |
| Making Out | Mouth Herpes (potentially contagious all of the time, but most contagious if there is an open sore) |
| Skin to Skin contact | Genital Herpes, HPV/Genital Warts** |
| Oral Sex-- Giving or Receiving | Genital Herpes, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis B*, HIV, Syphilis |
| Sexual (Vaginal) Intercourse | HPV/Genital Warts**, Chlamydia, Genital Herpes, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis B*, HIV, Syphilis |
| Anal Sex | Genital Herpes, HPV/Genital Warts**, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis B*, HIV, Syphilis |
If you use a dental dam or a latex condom (male or female), your risk of contracting any of these STDs goes way down, but even condoms and dental dams don't make sexual activity 100% safe.
* Vaccine available.
** Vaccine is available that helps protect against 4 types of HPV that cause 90% of Genital Warts and 70% of Cervical Cancer cases.
Test Your STI Smarts-- take this quiz!
http://www.smartersex.org/quizzes/sti_quiz.asp
