For example, the following STDs can be cured with antibiotics or other treatments:. Treatment options are often available to help alleviate symptoms and lower your chances of transmitting the STD to someone else. Take a moment to learn more about curable and incurable STDs.
In newborns, STDs can cause complications. In some cases, they can be life-threatening. If you test positive for one or more STDs while pregnant, your doctor might prescribe antibiotics, antiviral medications, or other treatments. In some cases, they might encourage you to give birth via a cesarean delivery to lower the risk of transmission during childbirth.
But even symptom-free STDs can cause damage or be passed to other people. Healthcare providers can diagnose most STDs using a urine or blood test. They may also take a swab of your genitals. Home testing kits are also available for some STDs, but they may not always be reliable. Use them with caution. Check to see if the U. Food and Drug Administration has approved the testing kit before buying it. A Pap smear checks for the presence of precancerous cells on the cervix.
Some people may benefit from more frequent testing than others. Find out if you should be tested for STDs and what the tests involve. Otherwise, you can pass an infection back and forth between you. Continue taking them even if you feel better before you finish taking all of them. While most viral infections have no cure, some can clear on their own. And in many cases, treatment options are available to relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of transmission.
For example, medications are available to reduce the frequency and severity of herpes outbreaks. Likewise, treatment can help stop the progression of HIV. Furthermore, antiviral drugs can lower your risk of transmitting HIV to someone else. Some STDs are caused by neither viruses nor bacteria. Examples include:. These STDs are usually treatable with oral or topical medications. Ask your doctor or other healthcare provider for more information about your condition and treatment options.
Avoiding sexual contact is the only foolproof way to avoid STDs. But when having vaginal, anal, or oral sex, there are ways to make it safer. When used properly, condoms provide effective protection against many STDs. Dental dams can also provide protection during oral sex. Condoms are generally effective at preventing STDs that spread through fluids, such as semen or blood. In contrast, many other types of birth control lower the risk of unwanted pregnancy but not STDs.
Early diagnosis and treatment can help stop the transmission of infections. Partners should also be screened for STDs by a healthcare professional. Since STDs often have no symptoms, testing is the only way to know for sure if someone has one. Men ages 30 to 39 who have sex with men and sex workers are most affected. Acute hepatitis B is twice as high for men than for women. It is highest in adults ages 30 to Injection drug users, people with multiple sex partners, and people who have sexual or household contacts with an acute or chronic carrier are most affected.
Risks specific to women with sexually transmitted infections In women, STIs can cause a serious infection of the uterus and fallopian tubes reproductive organs called pelvic inflammatory disease PID. STIs in pregnant women may cause problems such as: Miscarriage. Low birth weight. Premature delivery. Infections in their newborn baby, such as pneumonia , eye infections, or nervous system problems. Risks specific to men with sexually transmitted infections Infection and inflammation of the epididymis , urethra , anus, and prostate Any child or vulnerable adult with symptoms of an STI needs to be evaluated by a health professional to determine the cause and to assess for possible sexual abuse.
How old are you? Less than 12 years. Are you male or female? Why do we ask this question? The medical assessment of symptoms is based on the body parts you have.
If you are transgender or non-binary, choose the sex that matches the body parts such as ovaries, testes, prostate, breasts, penis, or vagina you now have in the area where you are having symptoms. If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice once as "male" and once as "female".
This will make sure that the tool asks the right questions for you. Do you have symptoms of an STI sexually transmitted infection? Symptoms in women are different than symptoms in men. Do you have severe pelvic pain that started suddenly? Do you think that the symptoms may have been caused by sexual abuse?
Do you think you may have been exposed to an STI sexually transmitted infection? This means that you had sexual contact including oral sex with someone that you know or think has an STI. Are you taking medicine for an STI sexually transmitted infection? Are you having problems with the treatment? For example, your symptoms may be getting worse, or you may have new symptoms or side effects from the treatment.
These include: Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker. Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner.
Medicines you take. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners anticoagulants , medicines that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy, or natural health products can cause symptoms or make them worse.
Recent health events , such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious. Your health habits and lifestyle , such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel. Try Home Treatment You have answered all the questions. Try home treatment to relieve the symptoms.
Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any concerns for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect. You may need care sooner. In females, symptoms of an STI sexually transmitted infection may include: New vaginal discharge. Pain or burning when urinating. Pain in the pelvis or lower belly.
Women may notice this during sex. Itching, tingling, burning, or pain in the genital or anal area. Sores, lumps, blisters, rashes, or warts in the genital or anal area. Sores in the mouth or throat. In males, symptoms of an STI sexually transmitted infection may include: Pain or burning when you urinate. New discharge from the penis.
Pain, swelling, or tenderness in the scrotum. Seek Care Now Based on your answers, you may need care right away. Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care.
If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care in the next hour. You do not need to call an ambulance unless: You cannot travel safely either by driving yourself or by having someone else drive you. You are in an area where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down. Seek Care Today Based on your answers, you may need care soon. Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care. If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care today.
If it is evening, watch the symptoms and seek care in the morning. If the symptoms get worse, seek care sooner. Home Treatment Home treatment is never an appropriate treatment for a sexually transmitted infection STI. Evaluation by a health professional is needed for: Any changes or symptoms in the genital area that suggest an STI. A known or suspected exposure to an STI. These resources include: Your local sexual health clinic.
This stage lasts for around 6—10 days. After hatching, the lice will look like tiny crabs. They need blood to survive and will live for around 2—3 weeks. In the last couple of days, the females will lay more eggs, and the cycle will continue.
Pubic lice can spread during close physical contact, including sexual contact. They can also transmit via shared towels or bed linen. However, they cannot spread via toilet seats. These are available over the counter from most drugstores and pharmacies.
It is essential to follow the instructions precisely. If pubic lice are affecting the hair near the eyes, the person may need a prescription medication.
The herpes simplex virus HSV is a common virus that affects the skin, cervix, and genitals, as well as some other parts of the body. HSV-1 usually affects the mouth. It can pass to the genital area during oral sex. HSV-2 can affect the genital area, the anal area, and the mouth. It transmits through vaginal, oral, and anal sex. Herpes cannot spread via utensils, toilet seats, swimming pools, soaps, or bedding.
However, if a person touches a body part where herpes is present and then touches another part of their body, the herpes can spread to that area. Once herpes is present, it stays in the body. It usually remains dormant, however, and many people will never develop symptoms. The main symptoms are blisters around the mouth, anus, or genital area. These blisters can break, causing a painful sore that takes a week or longer to heal. Some people never have symptoms, some have only an initial outbreak, and some have repeated outbreaks.
The first bout is usually the most severe, but people with compromised immune systems — due, for example, to HIV — have a higher risk of experiencing severe symptoms overall. Having herpes can also increase the chance of contracting or transmitting HIV. There is currently no cure, but medication can help relieve any symptoms.
Daily antiviral medications can help prevent the spread of herpes. Hepatitis B can cause a long-term infection and result in liver damage. Once a person has the virus, it can remain in their semen, blood, and other bodily fluids.
This infection can pass to a baby during pregnancy or delivery. However, a doctor can advise on ways to prevent this. As long as the nipples are not cracked, the risk of transmitting the virus through breast milk is negligible, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC. People at high risk of contracting hepatitis B should ask their doctor about a vaccine, which can offer some protection. The vaccine may not provide long-term immunity, however, and the person may need booster doses for continued protection.
Learn more about hepatitis B here. Trichomoniasis, or trich, can affect anyone, but females are more likely to experience symptoms. Trichomonas vaginalis is the cause of this infection. In females, it is most likely to affect the vagina. In males, the infection can develop in the urethra. Trich can also lead to pregnancy complications and increase the chance of both contracting and transmitting HIV. A doctor can prescribe medications to resolve trich, but both partners will likely need treatment, or the infection may return.
Without treatment, trich can last for months or years. Learn more about trichomoniasis here. HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system. It can spread through sexual contact and some other means.
For a healthier baby, ask your doctor about STD testing. STI Treatment Guidelines, STD Surveillance STD Fact Sheets. Just Diagnosed? Spanish Version.
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