STDs & STIs
STDs & STIs
Are you itching and burning?
STIs and STDs are more common than we think they are. About 20% of the U.S. population has or had an STI. This is
approximately one in five people in the U.S.
STIs/ STDs is an infection transmitted through sexual contact, caused by bacterial, viruses, or parasites. Since about 5th or 6th
grade we are taught to practice safe sex, so we all should know the basics about STDs. Most people assume that STDs or STIs
spread just from sex, but if you google it you’ll find that you could get any type of STD from any sexual activity that involves the
mouth, anus, vagina, or penis.
While STIs and STDs have very similar qualities they also differ in many ways.
1. The most common STIs in the U.S. are HPV, Chlamydia, and Gonorrhea
i. Human Papillmarvirus aka HPV is the most common STI. Many people with HPV don’t have symptoms but can
still infect others through sexual contact.
ii. Chlamydia is a common STI that can infect both men and women. Although chlamydia affects people of all ages, its
most common in young women and can cause serious permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive system.
iii. Gonorrhea is an STI that can cause infection in the genitals, rectum, and throat. It is very common, especially
among young people ages 15-24 years.
2. There are more than 20 types of STDs, including: Genital Herpes, HIV/AIDS, and Pubic Lice
i. Herpes are caused by the herpes simplex virus, this disease can affect both men and women. Treatment can help but
this condition cant be cured.
ii. HIV causes AIDS and interferes with the body’s ability to fight infections. The virus can be transmitted through
contact with infected blood, semen, or vaginal fluids. No cure exists for AIDS.
iii. Pubic Lice is also known as Crabs. Pubic lice often gets lumped in with STDs but pubic lice are not an actual
disease or infection.
3. You should never let an STD or STI go untreated.
i. Untreated STDs can lead to many health complications
ii. The longer you go with an untreated STD the worse it can get
iii. Untreated STIs can increase your risk of acquiring another STI such as HIV
As time goes on we learn more about STDs and STIs and more about how to practice safe sex. While there might not be a cure
yet there can be research done to prevent these in the future. STIs and STDs are more common than we think they are. So
practice safe sex and get tested regularly.
Are you itching and burning? Cause I’m not.
