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Summary
What are sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), are infections that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact. They are usually spread during vaginal, oral, or anal sex. But sometimes they can spread through other sexual contact involving the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus. This is because some STIs, like herpes and HPV, are spread by skin-to-skin contact.
Some STIs can be passed from a pregnant person to the baby, either during pregnancy or when giving birth. Other ways that some STIs may be spread include during breastfeeding, through blood transfusions, or by sharing needles.
There are more than 20 types of STIs, including:
What causes sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
STIs can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
Who is affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
Most STIs affect both men and women, but in many cases the health problems they cause can be more severe for women. If an STI is passed to a baby, it can cause serious health problems.
What are the symptoms of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
STIs don't always cause symptoms or may only cause mild symptoms. So it is possible to have an infection and not know it. And even without symptoms, STIs can still be harmful and may be passed on during sex.
If there are symptoms, they could include:
- Unusual discharge from the penis or vagina
- Sores or warts on the genital area
- Painful or frequent urination (peeing)
- Itching and redness in the genital area
- Blisters or sores in or around the mouth
- Abnormal vaginal odor
- Anal itching, soreness, or bleeding
- Abdominal (belly) pain
- Fever
How are sexually transmitted infections (STIs) diagnosed?
If you are sexually active, you should talk to your health care provider about your risk for STIs and whether you need to be tested. This is especially important since many STIs do not usually cause symptoms.
Some STIs may be diagnosed during a physical exam or through STI testing. Some tests involve a microscopic examination of a sore or fluid swabbed from the vagina, penis, or anus. Blood tests can diagnose other types of STIs.
What are the treatments for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
Antibiotics can treat STIs that are caused by bacteria or parasites. There is no cure for STIs caused by viruses, but antiviral medicines can often help with the symptoms and lower your risk of spreading the infection.
It's important to get treatment if you have an STI. Some types of STIs can cause serious health problems if they are not treated.
Can sexually transmitted infections (STIs) be prevented?
The surest way to protect yourself against STIs is to not have sex.
If you do decide to have sex, you can lower your risk of getting an STI by:
- Having you and your partner tested for STIs before having sex.
- Using a condom every time you have sex. Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not completely eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading STIs. If your or your partner is allergic to latex, you can use polyurethane condoms.
- Reducing your number of sex partners. You might even consider "mutual monogamy" with just one partner. This means that you agree to be sexually active only with them, and they agree to be sexually active only with you. But first you should both get tested to make sure that you don't already have an STI.
- Getting vaccinated against HPV and hepatitis B.
Symptoms
- Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Symptoms (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
Diagnosis and Tests
- Genital Problems in Men (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
- Genital Problems in Women (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
- Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Why Testing Is Important (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- STD Testing: What's Right for You (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- STD Tests (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
Prevention and Risk Factors
- How to Prevent STIs (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Treatments and Therapies
- What Are the Treatments for Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STDs/STIs)? (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish
Related Issues
- Cervicitis (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Hepatitis B (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
Specifics
- Can You Use Two Condoms for Extra Protection? (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Molluscum Contagiosum (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- What Are Some Types of and Treatments for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) or Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)? (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish
Images
- Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV) (VisualDX)
- Molluscum Contagiosum (VisualDX)
- Pubic Lice (Pediculosis Pubis) (VisualDX)
Test Your Knowledge
- STI Myths & Facts Quiz (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Statistics and Research
- FastStats: Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) (National Center for Health Statistics)
- Sexually Transmitted Infections Surveillance 2023 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Sexually Transmitted Diseases (National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: The effect of teach-back method training on the prevention behaviors of...
- Article: The Influence of Housing Status and Food Insecurity on a Behavioral...
- Article: [Translated article] AEDV Expert Consensus Document on the Organization of a...
- Sexually Transmitted Infections -- see more articles
Teenagers
- Can I Get Checked for STDs Without My Parents Knowing? (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Do You Have to See a Doctor to Find Out if You Have an STD? (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Getting Tested for STDs (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Pubic Lice (Crabs) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Talking to Your Kids About STDs (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Talking to Your Partner about Condoms (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Talking to Your Partner about STDs (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Telling Your Partner You Have an STD (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Men
- About STIs and Gay Men (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
- How Can Men Reduce the Risk of Getting a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)? (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish
Women
- About STIs and Pregnancy (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
- Sexually Transmitted Infections (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health) Also in Spanish
- Sexually Transmitted Infections, Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health) Also in Spanish
Older Adults
- Safe Sex for Older Adults (AGS Health in Aging Foundation)
Patient Handouts
- Chancroid (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Condom Use: An Overview (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Donovanosis (granuloma inguinale) (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Genital sores - female (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Genital sores - male (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Safe sex (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.