An STI is a sexually transmitted disease is an infection passed during sex.

• STI’s are serious: Some STI’s infect only your sexual and reproductive organs. Others (HIV, hepatitis B, syphilis) cause general body infections.
• Sometimes you can have an STI with no signs or symptoms. Or the symptoms may go away. Either way, you still have the STI until you get treated.

STI's are spread during vaginal, anal and oral sex, and sometimes by genital touching.
Some STI’s (HIV and hepatitis B) are also spread by contact with infected blood.
STI germs need to live in warm, moist areas. That’s why they infect the mouth, rectum, and sex organs (vagina, vulva, penis, and testes).

WHAT TO DO:

Get Checked

• Don’t just hope the STD will go away. It won’t!
• Most county health departments have special STD clinics. Private health care providers also treat STI's. Elsie Allen Health Center and Southwest Community Health Center’s Teen Clinic offer HIV and STI testing as well. Find out more here.
• If you don’t know where to get help, call your local family planning clinic for information. Your case will be kept private. Learn more about your rights here.
• You may feel embarrassed about having an STI. It may be hard for you to go to a provider or clinic for help. But you must get treatment for the STD. This is the only way you will get well.

Get Treated

• Many STI’s can be cured. Others cannot be cured. But all STI’s can and must be treated.
• Many STI’s can be treated with antibiotics. Do exactly what your provider tells you. Be sure to use all of your medicine.
• You also must tell your sexual partner(s). If they aren’t treated, they can get sick. They can spread the STI. They might even give it to you again!

Many people have an STI with no symptoms. If you have symptoms, you may notice any of these things:
Women:

• An unusual discharge or smell from your vagina.
• Pain in your pelvic area – the area between your belly button and sex organs.
• Burning or itching around your vagina.
• Bleeding from your vagina that is not your regular period.
• Pain deep inside your vagina when you have sex.

Men:

• A drip or discharge from your penis.

Women and Men:

• Sores, bumps, or blisters near your sex organs, rectum, or mouth.
• Burning and pain when you urinate (pee) or have a bowel movement.
• Need to urinate often.
• Itching around your sex organs.
• A swelling or redness in your throat.
• Flu-like feelings, with fever, chills, and aches.
• Swelling in your groin—the area around your sex organs.

If you have any symptoms, stop having sex. Go to a doctor or STD clinic and GET TESTED NOW! Don’t put it off.

Stay Safe

• Not having sex is the best way to protect yourself from an STI. Having sex with only one uninfected partner who only has sex with you is also safe.

If You Have Sex

• Use latex condoms with a water-based lube very time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Condoms will help protect you from an STI much of the time. Both men and women should carry condoms.
• Use plastic (polyurethane) condoms if you’re allergic to latex. These come in both male and female styles.
• Talk to your partner about past sex partners and about needle drug use Don’t have sex with someone who you think may have an STI.
• Look closely at your partner for any signs of an STI – a rash, a sore, or discharge. If you see anything you’re worried about, DON’T HAVE SEX!

Take Action

• Get checked for STI'sI regularly if you’re sexually active. Ask your health care provider to help you decide how often and which tests you should have.
• Know the signs and symptoms of STI's. If you notice a symptom that worries you, get checked!

If You Have an STI

• Tell your sex partner(s). Your partner must get tested and treated too. Otherwise he or she could give the STI to someone else or back to you.
• Talk to a health professional.  They can probably help you find the right words to explain the situation.  For example, they can ask the public health authority to take care of warning your partner.  They won’t say where the information comes from, but that they need to be treated.
• Wait to have sex. Ask your provider how long after treatment you must wait.