STI Standard 6 Test

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that nearly 1 million STIs are transmitted every day. Being sexually active and engaging in unprotected sexual activity can increase your risk of contracting an STI. The best way to know for sure if you have a treatable STI is to get tested regularly if you are sexually active.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a treatable bacterial infection that can affect both men and women. Often the Chlamydia does not cause any symptoms, and many are not aware they have been infected. It can be spread through sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) with someone who is infected or coming into contact with infected genital fluids.

Chlamydia usually can be treated with a short course of antibiotics from your healthcare provider. If you think you may have it, it’s important to get tested and treated as soon as possible. If it’s not treated early, chlamydia can become serious – spreading to other parts of the body and leading to long term health problems.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a treatable bacterial infection that can affect both men and women. The infection can affect the genitals, rectum, and throat. Often Gonorrhea can cause no symptoms, and many are not aware they have been infected.  Gonorrhea symptoms can affect multiple sites and commonly affects the genital tract with pain or swelling, unusual or increased discharge, or unusual bleeding.

Gonorrhea usually can be treated with a short course of antibiotics from your healthcare provider. If you think you may have it, it’s important to get tested and treated as soon as possible. If it’s not treated early, Gonorrhea can become serious – spreading to other parts of the body and leading to long term health problems.  Gonorrhea can also be transmitted from a mother to her baby during childbirth.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis (or “trich”) is treatable infection that is caused by Trichomonas vaginalis (a microscopic protozoan parasite).  The infection impacts the lower genital track. Often Trich can cause no signs or symptoms, and many are not aware they have been infected.  Symptoms may develop over time and can vary as symptoms develop differently for men and women.

If you think you may have it, it’s important to get tested and treated as soon as possible. Trich can increase the risk of getting or spreading other sexually transmitted infections and can make it easier to be infected with HIV or pass it to a partner.  Trichomoniasis is also associated with increased risk of cervical or prostate cancer.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a treatable bacterial infection that is most often spread through sexual contact. The infections start by causing painless sores that can appear on the genitals, rectum, or mouth. Coming in direct contact with these sores causes the spread of Syphilis from person to person.

Syphilis can be treated with medication from your healthcare provider. If you think you may have it, it’s important to get tested and treated as soon as possible. Syphilis bacteria can stay in your body for several years and continue to progress in stages with varying symptoms. If it’s not treated early, Syphilis can cause serious and life threating illness that impacts your heart, brain, and other organs.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. The virus spreads by coming in contact with blood, or body fluids such as semen or vaginal fluid that has been infected. Hepatitis C can take years before symptoms appear and many are unaware, they are infected.

Hepatitis C can be treated with antiviral medication from your healthcare provider. If you think you may have it, it’s important to get tested and treated as soon as possible. If it’s not treated, Hepatitis C can eventually cause serious liver complications.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

HIV is a viral infection that attacks the body’s immune system impacting the body’s ability to fight infections and diseases. The virus spreads by coming in contact with blood, semen or vaginal secretion or rectal fluids that has been infected. This can happen during sexual activity with an infected person.

HIV currently has no effective cure and will be a life-long illness. If you think you may have it, it’s important to get tested and treated as soon as possible. There are medications that can control the progression of the disease.  If it’s not treated, HIV typically progresses into Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) which is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition.

Reducing Your Risk

STI testing can help keep you healthy and prevent the spread of STIs. Depending on your risk factors, annual STI testing may be recommended for you. If you are sexually active, have an honest and open discussion with your healthcare provider to determine when STI testing is right for you.

Abstaining from sex or following safe sex practices including using condoms correctly every time and, being in mutually monogamous relationship with partner who has been tested are the best way to prevent getting a sexually transmitted infection.

Additionally, avoiding sharing used needles, syringes, and other injection equipment. People who share needles and syringes when inject drugs could face higher risk of getting infections such as Hepatitis C and HIV.