Spread the word, not an STI – GYT – Get Yourself Tested!
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For something that is such a widespread problem, many people don’t know much about STI’s. The path to prevention is paved with education.
· General Facts
o In the U.S. alone there are approximately 19 million new cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) each year.
o One-in-four teenagers will get an STI.
o By the age of 25, half of all sexually active adults will get an STI.
· Chlamyida
o There are over 1 million cases of chlamydia reported in the US each year.
o Most women have asymptomatic Chlamydia, meaning they show no symptoms at all.
o Chlamydia is spread through vaginal, anal and oral sex.
o Chlamydia is curable with antibiotics. However, if it is left untreated, it can lead to several other problems.
· Gonorrhea
o Most women have asymptomatic gonorrhea, while most men show symptoms 2–5 days after being infected.
o Gonorrhea is spread through vaginal, anal and oral sex.
o Gonorrhea is curable with antibiotics. However, if it is left untreated, it can lead to several other problems.
· Herpes
o You can get herpes from kissing someone with a cold sore, vaginal, anal or oral sex or touching an area infected with herpes.
o Herpes is not curable. There are several medications however that lower the number of outbreaks you experience.
o Outbreaks generally happen 1–5 times a year because of stress, inactivity, poor eating habits, etc.
· HIV
o Every 9.5 minutes someone is infected with HIV.
o You can only get HIV from direct contact (i.e. vaginal, anal or oral sex, sharing needles, etc.) and exchange of bodily fluids (i.e. blood, semen, etc).
o HIV is not curable, but medicines are available to ease pain and help you stay healthy.
· HPV
o HPV infection is the most common STI in the US and infects more than half all sexually active people.
o Some types of HPV can lead to cervical cancer or cancer of the anus or penis.
o There are 100 types of HPV, 40 of which are sexually transmitted.
o You are more likely to get HPV if you have sex at a early age, multiple sex partners or have a partner with multiple sex partners.
· Syphilis
o Syphilis is most commonly spread through vaginal, anal or oral sex.
o Syphilis is curable, but if left untreated can lead to serious problems throughout your body and can be fatal.
Many people do not realize they have syphilis.
Remember that sometimes symptoms don’t appear at all. The only way to know for sure is to get yourself tested.
· Bumps, sores or warts near the mouth, anus, penis or vagina.
· Swelling or redness near the penis or vagina.
· Skin rash.
· Painful urination.
· Weight loss, loose stools, night sweats.
· Aches, pains, fever, and chills.
· Yellowing of the skin (jaundice).
· Discharge from the penis or vagina (Vaginal discharge may have an odor.)
· Bleeding from the vagina other than during a monthly period.
· Painful sex.
Severe itching near the penis or vagina.
If you suspect or know you have an STI, there are several things you can do to stop spreading it starting with you.
· Don’t have sex until you have seen a doctor and have been treated. Ask your doctor when you can have sex again.
· Follow doctor’s orders; the only way to be fully treated is to listen to their instructions.
· Inform your partners about your STI history and ask about theirs too.
· Use a condom every time with every partner (old, new or otherwise).
· Get regular annual exams and STI tests.
· Tell your partners to get tested.
