Get the facts on sexually transmitted diseases

Five Things To Know About STDs

STDs are very common.
STDs often show no symptoms. Many people with an STD don’t know it.
Left untreated, STDs can cause serious health problems.
Good news! All STDs are treatable (including HIV), and many are curable.
To know for sure you are being tested, ASK to be tested!

Frequently Asked Questions

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is one of the most common STDs. Many people who have chlamydia do not know it. Often there are no symptoms. Left untreated, chlamydia can cause infertility and pain in both women and men. Once diagnosed, it is easily cured with antibiotics.

Click on a question below to learn more about chlamydia.

How do you get chlamydia?
What are the symptoms of chlamydia?
What’s involved in chlamydia testing?
How do you treat chlamydia?
What happens if chlamydia is not treated?

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a common STD, especially among teens and people in their 20s. Sometimes called “the clap” or “the drip.” Gonorrhea may not show symptoms. Left untreated, it can cause infertility and pain in both women and men. Once diagnosed, it is easily cured with antibiotics.

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How do you get gonorrhea?
What are the symptoms of gonorrhea?
What’s involved in gonorrhea testing?
How do you treat gonorrhea?
What happens if gonorrhea is not treated?

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that can cause liver disease. About half of people with hepatitis B do not experience any symptoms. There is no cure, but a vaccine is available to protect against infection.

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How do you get hepatitis B?
What is the hepatitis B vaccine?
What are the symptoms of hepatitis B?
What’s involved in hepatitis B testing?
How do you treat hepatitis B?

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver. Most people do not experience any symptoms. Hepatitis C can be cured with prescription medication. Left untreated, it can lead to liver disease, cancer and even death.

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How do you get hepatitis C?
What are the symptoms of hepatitis C?
What’s involved in hepatitis C testing?
How do you treat hepatitis C?
What happens if hepatitis C is not treated?
How are hepatitis C and HIV connected?

Herpes

Herpes is a very common STD. It can cause sores on the genitals and/or mouth. There is no cure for herpes, but prescription medication can ease symptoms and lower the chances of passing the virus to others. Herpes can be painful, but usually does not lead to serious health problems.

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How do you get herpes?
What are the symptoms of herpes?
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What happens if herpes is not treated?

HIV/AIDS

HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system and can lead to AIDS, a clinical diagnoses that indicates an advanced stage of HIV. HIV may not show symptoms initially. Testing is recommended as a part of routine healthcare.

There is no cure for HIV/AIDS, but antiretroviral (ARV) prescription medications allow people with HIV to live normal, healthy lifespans. Consistent ARV use also prevents transmission to others. Left untreated, HIV can lead to death.

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How do you get HIV?
What are the symptoms of HIV?
What’s involved in HIV testing?
How do you treat HIV?
What happens if HIV is not treated?

HPV

HPV is the most common STD. There are more than 150 different types of HPV. Many forms of HPV do not show any symptoms. Some cause genital warts. The HPV vaccine protects against certain types that are associated with genital warts and cervical cancer.

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How do you get HPV?
What is the HPV vaccine?
What are the symptoms of HPV?
What’s involved in HPV testing?
How do you treat HPV?

Syphilis

Syphilis is a common STD. It often does not show any symptoms. Left untreated, it can cause permanent damage, like blindness or paralysis. Once diagnosed, it is easily cured with antibiotics.

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How do you get syphilis?
What are the symptoms of syphilis?
What’s involved in syphilis testing?
How do you treat syphilis?
What happens if syphilis is not treated?

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is a very common STD. Sometimes called “trich” for short. It often does not show any symptoms. Trich is usually not serious. Once diagnosed, it is easily cured with antibiotics.

Click on a question below to learn more about trichomoniasis.

How do you get trich?
What are the symptoms of trich?
What’s involved in trich testing?
How do you treat trich?
What happens if trich is not treated?

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Let’s Talk About STDs!

Five Things To Know About STDs

Frequently Asked Questions