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.
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.
Click on a question below to learn more about gonorrhea.
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.
Click on a question below to learn more about 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.
Click on a question below to learn more about hepatitis C.
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.
Click on a question below to learn more about herpes.
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.
Click on a question below to learn more about HIV.
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.
Click on a question below to learn more about 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.
Click on a question below to learn more about syphilis.
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.
Chlamydia
- A bacterial infection
- Often doesn’t have symptoms
- Cured with antibiotics
- Estimated 1.6 million new cases in the U.S. each year
Gonorrhea
- A bacterial infection
- Often doesn’t have symptoms
- Cured with antibiotics
- Estimated 677,000+ new cases in the U.S. each year
Hepatitis B
- A viral infection affecting the liver
- Often doesn’t have symptoms
- No cure, but treatable with prescription medication
- A vaccine is available
- Estimated 21,600 new cases in the U.S. each year
Hepatitis C
- A viral infection affecting the liver
- Often doesn’t have symptoms
- Cured with prescription medication. Left untreated can cause liver disease and death
- Estimated 57,500 new cases in the U.S. each year
Herpes
- A virus affecting the mouth and/or genitals
- Can cause blistery sores
- No cure, but outbreaks can be managed with prescription medication
- 11.9% of persons aged 14–49 years are estimated to have genital herpes
HIV/AIDS
- A virus that attacks the immune system
- May not show symptoms initially
- No cure, but treatable with antiretroviral prescription medications that also prevent transmission
- Estimated 1.1 million people living with HIV in the U.S.
HPV
- A virus with 150 different types
- Some types cause genital warts; others, including those associated with cervical cancer, often do not have symptoms
- Vaccine protects against some types that cause genital warts and cancer
- Most common STD in the U.S.
Syphilis
- A bacterial infection
- Symptoms can come and go, and may include sores
- Cured with antibiotics
- Left untreated can cause permanent damage
- Estimated 133,000+ new cases in the U.S. each year
Trichomoniasis
- A parasitic infection
- Usually no symptoms, but can cause vaginitis that may result in discharge and irritation
- Cured with antibiotics
- Estimated 3.7 million people living with Trich in the U.S.
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