What are Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) or Diseases (STDs)?

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) — or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) — are generally acquired by sexual contact. The organisms (bacteria, viruses or parasites) that cause sexually transmitted diseases may pass from person to person in blood, semen, or vaginal and other bodily fluids.

Sometimes these infections can be transmitted nonsexually, such as from mother to infant during pregnancy or childbirth, or through blood transfusions or shared needles.

Symptoms

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can have a range of signs and symptoms,

Sores or bumps on the genitals or in the oral or rectal area

• Painful or burning urination
• Discharge from the penis
• Unusual or odd-smelling vaginal discharge
• Unusual vaginal bleeding
• Pain during sex
• Sore, swollen lymph nodes, particularly in the groin but sometimes more widespread
• Lower abdominal pain
• Fever
• Rash over the trunk, hands or feet

Signs and symptoms may appear a few days after exposure, or it may take years before you have any noticeable problems, depending on the organism.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be caused by:

• Bacteria (gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia)
• Parasites (trichomoniasis)
• Viruses (human papillomavirus, genital herpes, HIV)

Sexually transmitted diseases include:

• Chlamydia
• Chancroid
• Genital herpes
• Genital warts
• Hepatitis B
• HIV
• HPV (human papillomavirus)
• Trichomoniasis
• Syphilis
• Gonorrhoea
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Risk factors

Anyone who is sexually active risks some degree of exposure to a sexually transmitted disease (STD) . Factors that may increase that risk include:

• Having unprotected sex.
• Having sexual contact with multiple partners.
• Having a history of STIs. Having one STI makes it much easier for another STI to take hold.
• Misuse of alcohol or use of recreational drugs. Substance misuse can inhibit your judgment, making you more willing to participate in risky behaviors.
• Needle sharing spreads many serious infections, including HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

Ways to avoid or reduce your risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

• Abstain. The most effective way to avoid STIs is to not have (abstain from) sex.
• Stay with one uninfected partner.
• Get vaccinated. ex .hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
• Use condoms.
• Don't drink alcohol excessively or use drugs. If you're under the influence, you're more likely to take sexual risks.

Diagnosis

If your sexual history and current signs and symptoms suggest that you have a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or a sexually transmitted infection (STI), laboratory tests can identify the cause and detect coinfections you might also have.

• Blood tests. Blood tests can confirm the diagnosis of HIV or later stages of syphilis.
• Urine samples. Some STIs can be confirmed with a urine sample.
• Fluid samples. If you have open genital sores, your doctor may test fluid and samples from the sores to diagnose the type of infection.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor immediately if:

• You are sexually active and may have been exposed to an STI
• You have signs and symptoms of an STI

Questions

Bacteria and viruses that grow in warm, moist places in the body cause STDs. They are passed from one person to another through sex. Infections can spread from the penis, vagina, mouth or anus. These infections can be minor or they can be very painful, even life threatening.

They are spread through fluids in the body. Most often shared during vaginal, oral or anal sex. Some STDs pass from one person to another through infected blood. For example, among people who share infected drug needles. Or a mother may infect her child during pregnancy, childbirth or nursing.

STDs are not spread through casual contact. Shaking hands, sharing clothes, or sharing a toilet seat, for example, would not lead to STDs.

Anyone can get a STD. Teenagers and young adults have the highest risk. They are more likely to have many sex partners, and they may not know how to prevent problems. Street-drug users who use dirty needles are also at risk.

The only way to avoid a STI or STD is to have no sexual contact with an infected person. Other protections include:

• Using a condom correctly, and always with sex
• Having a sexual relationship with only one, long-term partner who has no infections
• Limiting the number of sexual partners you have
• sing clean needles if you are injecting drugs

Using latex condoms the right way helps to protect you and your partner. Still, condoms don’t cover everything. It is possible to get or spread infections even when using a condom.

Talk about STIs before you have sex with a new partner. This way you can make informed choices about risks you want to take with your sex life. The only way to truly prevent STIs/STDs is to avoid having sex.

If you or someone you know has symptoms like unusual discharge, burning during urination, or a sore in the genital area, please talk with a health care provider. You can get treatment and help.

Some STIs can spread into a woman’s uterus and fallopian tubes. They can cause pelvic inflammatory disease. They can cause infertility and ectopic pregnancy (leading to fetal and possibly maternal death). STIs can be passed from mother to baby. Also, there are some links between STIs and cancer.

If you have had many sexual partners or have sex without protection, you should talk to a doctor. Whether or not you have symptoms, a doctor can help. Testing for STIs/STDs is very easy and routine. It’s better to take the test and get treated, than to risk health problems or infect others. HIV, HBV and syphilis testing are recommended. Cultures can be performed over time if you have unprotected sex with many partners.