Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are ones that pass from one person to another through sexual contact. This can be from vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and from genital-to-genital contact. STIs are also called sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Common STIs:

Chlamydia
Genital herpes
Gonorrhea
Hepatitis B
HIV/AIDS.
Human papillomavirus (HPV). This causes genital warts.
Syphilis
Trichomoniasis

Chlamydia

Signs & Symptoms	Causes	Treatment
Females: When present, symptoms show up 2 to 4 weeks after infection. White, yellow, or gray vaginal discharge. Abnormal vaginal bleeding or itching. Painful intercourse Painful periods Need to urinate often and pain or burning feeling when passing urine Pain in the abdomen Males: When present, symptoms show up 2 to 4 weeks after infection. They include: Watery, mucous discharge from the penis Burning or discomfort when passing urine Pain in the scrotum	A specific bacterial infection In females, chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This can cause infertility.	Oral antibiotics for the infected person and their partner(s) Avoiding sex until treatment is finished in the infected person and their partner(s)

Signs & Symptoms

Causes

Treatment

Females:
When present, symptoms show up 2 to 4 weeks after infection.

White, yellow, or gray vaginal discharge. Abnormal vaginal bleeding or itching.
Painful intercourse
Painful periods
Need to urinate often and pain or burning feeling when passing urine
Pain in the abdomen

Males:
When present, symptoms show up 2 to 4 weeks after infection. They include:

Watery, mucous discharge from the penis
Burning or discomfort when passing urine
Pain in the scrotum

A specific bacterial infection
In females, chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This can cause infertility.

Oral antibiotics for the infected person and their partner(s)
Avoiding sex until treatment is finished in the infected person and their partner(s)

Genital Herpes

Signs & Symptoms	Causes	Treatment
Painful sores and/or blisters on the genital area, anus, thighs, and/or buttocks Itching, irritation, and tingling can occur 1 to 2 days before the outbreak of the blisters. Outbreaks may be triggered by stress, other illnesses, or vigorous sexual intercourse. After a few days, the blisters break open and leave painful, shallow ulcers. These can last from 5 days to 3 weeks. With outbreaks, especially the first one, there may be flu-like symptoms (swollen glands, fever, body aches). Outbreaks that follow are usually milder and shorter. Once infected, the virus lives in nerve cells. New outbreaks can occur even without contact.	Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 or HSV-2). HSV-2 is the common cause. HSV-1 most often affects the oral area as cold sores. The virus is spread by direct skin-to-skin contact. It can be spread when no symptoms are noticed. Oral sex can spread herpes from the mouth to the genital area and from the genital area to the mouth.	Antiviral medicines can help prevent and shorten outbreaks. During delivery, an infant may need protection from infection if the mother has active herpes.

Triage Questions

Prevention

Self-Care

Triage Questions