Let's Have Some Real Talk About STIs

Before we actually dive into the STIs themselves, we should clear up one point. The possibility of contracting an STI is going to be present anytime you engage in sexual activity with someone else. This means that STIs are just as common as getting a cold or some other sickness while being in close proximity to someone who is also sick. STIs are a byproduct; they aren’t evil or make someone less attractive or valuable, they just are. So, this means that we should understand all come to a place of recognizing them as a part of engaging in sex.

Chlamydia is a very common STI that is contracted from a virus. It is also one of the STIs that many people don’t show symptoms for. Gonorrhea has been known as “The Clap” and is also a bacterial infection. With gonorrhea, the symptoms include painful urination and abnormal discharge, though some people can experience no symptoms at all. Syphilis is a bacterial infection that progresses through stages. Stage one the person has sores appearing on the body, and in the second stage it moves to a body rash, the third stage is latent meaning that no symptoms are present. In the final stage of untreated syphilis, other organ systems in the body begin to be affected. HPV, the Human Papilloma Virus, is the most common STI and if contracted can lead to genital warts of different forms of cancer. There is a vaccine available for HPV that protects against teh strains that cause cancer.

Trichomoniaisis is an STI that is spread through a parasite, meaning that it lives in the body and eventually causes harm to the person if untreated. With Trichomoniasis people with a penis typically have no symptoms, while people with vulvas do have symptoms such as discharge with a foul odor. Hepatitis B is a virus that can lead to liver disease. Many people do not experience symptoms with Hepatitis B, but if they do they are generally fever, tiredness, and vomiting to name a few. Herpes is a virus that leads to sores in two areas of the body: around the mouth or on the genitals. Herpes is regularly known as an STI when it is connected to the genitals (HSV2), but cold sores around the mouth are also herpes (HSV1). HIV is a virus that attacks the cells in the body, weakening them and making an individual for susceptible to contracting illnesses. If HIV goes untreated it can lead to the development of AIDS. 

The best way to have peace of mind around STIs and to make the most informed decisions around sexual activity you are going to want to prioritize STI testing. There are a few different ways you can go about STI testing. There are at-home kits that you can order and then send back. Dame and Nurx both offer an at-home testing kit for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis. You can also do a Google search to see all the options available for at-home kits. You can also go to your primary care provider or other medical provider to get testing. If you are in college then your campus health center should also provide STI testing.