When it comes to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), it’s most important to be educated, know your local resources for testing, and practice safe sex and honest communication with your partner(s).
World AIDS Day is recognized every December 1 and is the primary reason we were inspired to create this article on all of the STIs. While HIV and AIDS still affects tens of thousands in the United States, the numbers have decreased due to education and treatments. We want to take advantage of this day of recognition to educate and inform our readers about STIs, how they are transmitted and treated so that our community remains empowered and healthy.
In addition, Dr. Marnie Frisch was recently a guest presenter at Kristen Rubis’s fantastic local camp, My Body My Power, where she shared her insights on menstruation (periods) with a group of enthusiastic, young female participants. She was moved – and somewhat surprised – by the insightful and thoughtful questions that this age group had about sexual health, such as how to protect themselves, have healthy relationships, and practice safe sex. While these topics were not addressed during the class, Dr. Frisch realized afterward how important it is to provide information about these subjects at an appropriate time and setting. Inspired by their curiosity, we created this complete guide to sexually transmitted infections to provide a simple, helpful guide to staying safe and informed!
Before we dive into specifics, we’d like to outline the terms we will be using throughout this post:
Male = A human adult born with a penis and testes
Female = A human adult born with a vagina and uterus
We will be using these terms to refer to biological sex without assuming a person’s gender identity for better clarity.
A Complete Guide to Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
When we speak about STIs, we are usually speaking to the following infections:
Chlamydia
As of the latest CDC data from 2023-2024, chlamydia remains the most common STI in the United States. It has millions of cases each year, primarily affecting younger adults and adolescents, especially those under 25 years old. The CDC reports that chlamydia is highly prevalent because it often presents without symptoms, meaning people may not realize they have it without regular screening.
- How do I get it? Primarily through vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
- How does it present? Oftentimes you won’t notice any symptoms, but you may notice genital pain, discharge, and painful urination. Left untreated, it may cause infertility, especially in females.
- How do I prevent it? Consistent condom use and regular screening via a urine sample (especially for sexually active individuals under the age of 25 or with new/multiple partners).
- How do I treat it? Antibiotics like azithromycin or doxycycline. Both partners should be treated to prevent reinfection.
Gonorrhea
Cases of gonorrhea are also on the rise here in the United States.
- How does it present? Oftentimes you won’t notice any symptoms (especially if you are female), but you may notice genital pain or discharge. Can affect your throat or rectum.
- How do I prevent it? Consistent condom use and regular screening in at-risk groups (urine test).
- How do I treat it? Antibiotics, although increasing resistance has made treatment more complex. Dual therapy with ceftriaxone and azithromycin is commonly used.
Syphilis
Syphilis cases are additionally on the rise in the United States, with rates increasing across various demographics, including females of reproductive age.
- How do I get it? Unprotected sex and can also pass from mother to child.
- How does it present? Painless sores, then a rash on palms/soles. Untreated, it progresses to serious complications.
- How do I prevent it? Consistent condom use and prompt testing by a blood test (especially if a partner has symptoms or a known infection).
- How do I treat it? Penicillin injections (the stage of infection dictates the treatment length).
HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
- How do I get it? Skin-to-skin contact, especially during sexual activity.
- How does it present? Often no symptoms; some strains cause genital warts, while others are linked to cancers like cervical cancer, throat cancer, etc.
- How do I prevent it? HPV vaccination (recommended for preteens but available up to age 26+), consistent condom or dental dam use.
- How do I treat it? No cure, but warts can be treated. Vaccination is effective in preventing high-risk HPV types.
HIV/AIDS
As we said earlier, there are now great treatments for HIV, so fewer people are dying from AIDS. But we still need to talk about HIV because it’s a disease that affects people even today. In 2023, about 1.3 million people around the world got HIV – that’s about 3,500 new infections every day. This is much lower than in 2010, when 2.1 million people got HIV, and we can thank public health education for helping bring these numbers down. Even though fewer people are getting HIV, it’s still important to stay informed and get tested regularly. HIV doesn’t get talked about as much as it used to, but we can’t let our guard down.
- How do I get it? Through blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk.
- How does it present? Fever, fatigue, and eventually a decline in immune function if left untreated.
- How do I prevent it? Condoms, dental dams, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) for high-risk individuals, and regular testing.
- How do I treat it? Antiretroviral therapy (ART) to suppress the virus, with regular care required throughout life.
Herpes (HSV)
- How do I get it? Skin-to-skin contact, even without symptoms.
- How does it present? Painful sores or blisters around the mouth or genitals.
- How do I prevent it? Condoms lower the risk but don’t fully prevent transmission.
- How do I treat it? Antiviral medications (for example, acyclovir) to manage the outbreaks, but no cure.
Trichomoniasis
- How do I get it? Vaginal sex is the main route.
- How does it present? Many have no symptoms, but some notice discharge, irritation, and/or itching.
- How do I prevent it? Safe sex practices, such as usage of condoms or dental dams.
- How do I treat it? Antibiotics like metronidazole, usually as a single-dose treatment.
Hepatitis B (HBV)
- How do I get it? Through blood, semen, and other bodily fluids, often via unprotected sex, or passed from mother to child. Hepatitis B can live on surfaces for up to a week! So be careful around even dried blood and used needles.
- How does it present? Some may have no symptoms, but others experience fever, fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine, and jaundice.
- How do I prevent it? Vaccination is the best prevention against HBV, especially because how long the virus can be transmitted outside the body. Practicing safe sex and avoiding dirty needles can also reduce transmission risk.
- How do I treat it? Acute HBV may resolve on its own, but chronic HBV often requires antiviral medications to manage the virus and prevent liver damage. There is currently no cure for chronic HBV, so ongoing management is crucial.
Hepatitis C (HCV)
- How do I get it? HCV mainly spreads through blood-to-blood contact. Transmission through sexual contact is less common but possible, especially in high-risk scenarios.
- How does it present? Many people show no symptoms for years; others may experience fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, or jaundice.
- How do I prevent it? There’s no vaccine for HCV, so prevention includes practicing safe sex.
- How do I treat it? Hepatitis C is curable with antiviral medications, often completed in 8 to 12 weeks. Early diagnosis improves the chance of a cure and helps prevent liver damage.
STIs by Partnership
Now that you are aware of the top STIs that us doctors look out for, it’s important to be aware of which STIs are more likely to affect you within your sexual partnership(s) based on each individual’s biological sex.
Male-and-Female Partnership:
- High risk of HPV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.
Male-and-Male Partnership:
- Increased rates of HIV, syphilis, and HPV.
Female-and-Female Partnership:
- HPV, trichomoniasis, HIV, hepatitis, and bacterial vaginosis (the latter is not strictly an STI but is often observed in sexually active females).
Multiple Partnerships:
- Those in non-monogamous, multiple partnerships, or poly multiple-partner partnerships may have a higher risk of contracting various STIs, especially if the partners are not routinely tested.
A note on non-monogamy: Studies show that more people today are choosing relationships where they have more than one romantic partner. This type of relationship is called “consensual non-monogamy,” which means everyone agrees to have multiple partners. Research says that about 1 in 5 Americans has tried this kind of relationship. In these partnerships, people might have relationships with partners who are different genders or biological sexes. This increase is partly because society is more accepting of different kinds of relationships and love. People in the LGBTQ+ community are even more likely to explore these types of relationships than in the past.
Best Safe Sex Practices
When it comes to doing your best to avoid contracting and spreading STIs, there’s a few best practices you should follow:
- Regular Screening: Regular STI screenings are key to early detection and effective treatment. Many STIs don’t show symptoms, so routine checks help you stay informed about your health and protect your partners. You may consider screening every 3 to 12 months, depending on your activity and risk factors.
- Clean and Cover Shared Sex Toys: To prevent the spread of STIs, wash sex toys with soap and water after each use, or use a new condom on toys between partners. This practice helps stop the transfer of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that can spread infections.
- Use Condoms, Dental Dams, and Gloves: Barrier methods are effective in preventing skin-to-skin and fluid transmission of STIs. Use condoms for penetrative sex, dental dams for oral sex, and gloves during manual stimulation to create a protective barrier that reduces infection risks.
- Consider Vaccinations: Vaccinations for Hepatitis B and HPV can prevent infections that can spread through sexual contact.
Common Myths and Misconceptions about STIs
You may have heard one or more of these common myths/misconceptions about STIs and it’s important to know the facts!
“Only ‘high-risk’ people get STIs.”
Anyone sexually active can contract an STI, regardless of sexual frequency or number of partners.
“I’ll know if I have an STI.”
You will not experience symptoms with many STIs, making regular screening essential.
“Birth control prevents STIs.”
Only condoms (and only partially) prevent STIs; other contraceptives don’t protect against infections.
“Females cannot transmit HPV.”
While males are the carrier of HPV, if a female has previously been intimate with a male, they can then spread the virus to another female, making this statement false.
“HIV can be spread through casual contact, like hugging or sharing food.”
HIV cannot be spread through casual contact. It is only transmitted through specific bodily fluids like blood, semen, vaginal fluids, rectal fluids, and breast milk. You cannot get HIV by hugging, shaking hands, or sharing food and drinks with someone who has it.
“If both partners have HIV, they don’t need to worry about using protection.”
Even if both partners are living with HIV, using protection like condoms is still important. Different strains of HIV exist, and reinfection can occur, potentially making the virus harder to treat. In the process, you’ll also be protecting yourself from other STIs!
Olympia, Washington Free STI Testing
There are a few great places you can receive STI testing in Olympia, Washington!
Planned Parenthood
Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Department
Pierce County AIDS Foundation (PCAF)–Olympia Walgreens Walk-in Testing
You can also receive testing at our clinic and a variety of other local medical clinics by billing your insurance with us:
Whole Health Naturopathy
Providence
- Other Local Medical Clinics
We hope that this complete guide to sexually transmitted infections has encouraged you and given you a greater confidence in your safe sex practices and overall knowledge. If after reading this blog post you feel as though you would like to speak to someone and/or receive STI testing, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at 360-943-9519. We would love to help you!