How common are STIs? What are the symptoms of STIs? What do I do if I think I have one? Keep reading to answer these questions and more.
What is an STI?
STIs or sexually transmitted infections are conditions or infections you can get from sexual activity of any kind involving your mouth, vagina, penis, or anus. Common STIs you might have heard of include chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), HIV, and Trichomoniasis. STIs can be diagnosed through blood tests, physical exams, or swabs of bodily fluid.
What are the symptoms of an STI?
Symptoms include pain during urination, increased urination, unusual genital discharge, a rash, itching, blisters, warts, or sores around your genitals or anus, unusual bleeding, and lumps or growth around your genitals or anus. However, some STIs have no symptoms. This means you might not know you have an STI and you could infect a partner during sex without knowing it. This is why regular testing is important. Keep in mind STIs can take up to 7 weeks after you have had unprotected sex to show up on a test.
How do I prevent STIs?
The best way to prevent the transmission of an STI is using condoms to prevent fluid exchange. Getting tested regularly is also important since not all STIs have symptoms.
What do I do if I think I have an STI?
If you are presenting with any symptoms listed above or believe you might have been at risk, the best thing to do is to get tested. You can get tested at your local doctor's office, a community health clinic, like Planned Parenthood, the local health department, or local pharmacies with walk-in clinics.