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Summary
What are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), or sexually transmitted infections (STIs), are infections that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact. They are usually spread during vaginal, oral, or anal sex. But sometimes they can spread through other sexual contact involving the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus. This is because some STDs, like herpes and HPV, are spread by skin-to-skin contact.
Some STDs can be passed from a pregnant person to the baby, either during pregnancy or when giving birth. Other ways that STDs may be spread include during breastfeeding, through blood transfusions, or by sharing needles.
There are more than 20 types of STDs, including:
What causes sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?
STDs can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
Who is affected by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?
Most STDs affect both men and women, but in many cases the health problems they cause can be more severe for women.If an STD is passed to a baby, it can cause serious health problems.
What are the symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?
STDs don't always cause symptoms or may only cause mild symptoms. So it is possible to have an infection and not know it. And even without symptoms, STDs can still be harmful and may be passed on during sex.
If there are symptoms, they could include:
- Unusual discharge from the penis or vagina
- Sores or warts on the genital area
- Painful or frequent urination (peeing)
- Itching and redness in the genital area
- Blisters or sores in or around the mouth
- Abnormal vaginal odor
- Anal itching, soreness, or bleeding
- Abdominal painn
- Fever
How are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) diagnosed?
If you are sexually active, you should talk to your health care provider about your risk for STDs and whether you need to be tested. This is especially important since many STDs do not usually cause symptoms.
Some STDs may be diagnosed during a physical exam or through microscopic examination of a sore or fluid swabbed from the vagina, penis, or anus. Blood tests can diagnose other types of STDs.
What are the treatments for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?
Antibiotics can treat STDs caused by bacteria or parasites. There is no cure for STDs caused by viruses, but medicines can often help with the symptoms and lower your risk of spreading the infection.
Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not completely eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading STDs. The most reliable way to avoid infection is to not have anal, vaginal, or oral sex.
There are vaccines to prevent HPV and hepatitis B.
Can sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) be prevented?
Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not completely eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading STDs. If your or your partner is allergic to latex, you can use polyurethane condoms. The most reliable way to avoid infection is to not have anal, vaginal, or oral sex.
There are vaccines to prevent HPV and hepatitis B.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Symptoms
- Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Symptoms (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
Diagnosis and Tests
- Diagnostic Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- Genital Problems in Men (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
- Genital Problems in Women (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
- STD Testing: What's Right for You (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
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STD Tests
(National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
Prevention and Risk Factors
- How You Can Prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Treatments and Therapies
- Medications for Sexually Transmitted Infections (American Academy of Pediatrics) Also in Spanish
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What Are the Treatments for Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STDs/STIs)?
(Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish
Related Issues
- Cervicitis (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Hepatitis B (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
Specifics
- Molluscum Contagiosum (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
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What are some types of and treatments for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
(Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish
Images
- Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV) (VisualDX)
- Molluscum Contagiosum (VisualDX)
- Pubic Lice (Pediculosis Pubis) (VisualDX)
Test Your Knowledge
- STI Myths & Facts Quiz (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Statistics and Research
- FastStats: Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) (National Center for Health Statistics)
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Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2021
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Sexually Transmitted Diseases
(National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Analysis of bacterial vaginosis, the vaginal microbiome, and sexually transmitted infections...
- Article: Effectiveness of school-based sexual and reproductive health education among adolescent girls...
- Article: Effect of intervention based on the 5A self-management model on the...
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases -- see more articles
Teenagers
- Pubic Lice (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Talking to Your Kids About STDs (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- What Are STDs and STIs? (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health)
Men
-
How Can Men Reduce the Risk of Getting a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)?
(Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish
- What Gay, Bisexual and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men Need to Know about Sexually Transmitted Diseases (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
Women
- Sexually Transmitted Infections (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health) Also in Spanish
- Sexually Transmitted Infections, Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health) Also in Spanish
- STDs during Pregnancy (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
Older Adults
- Safe Sex for Older Adults (AGS Health in Aging Foundation)
Patient Handouts
- Chancroid (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Condom Fact Sheet in Brief (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - PDF Also in Spanish
- Donovanosis (granuloma inguinale) (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Genital sores - female (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Genital sores - male (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Safe sex (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish