What is a sexually transmitted infection?

STIs are infections that are transmitted between people who have sexual contact. They can occur from vaginal, oral, and anal sex, and from intimate physical contact including skin-to-skin contact. Bacteria, viruses, and parasites such as crabs or pubic lice can cause sexually transmitted infections. 50% of all sexually active young adults will contract an STI by age 25. All STIs increase the risk of acquiring or transmitting the HIV virus. There are many types of STIs

What are the seven main types of STIs?

Human papilloma virus (HPV)

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the most common STI. It can be transmitted by genital skin-to-skin contact or during sex. HPV infection can cause genital warts, or it can cause cervical, anal, or throat cancer. Most sexually active individuals will contract at least one type of HPV infection. Young women up to age 26 can receive the HPV vaccine series to help prevent infection. Most women with HPV infection of the cervix do not learn they are infected until get an abnormal PAP or HPV test. Women older than 30 should be screened for HPV.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia, the second most common STI in the US, is caused by bacterium that can infect both men and women. Women can experience infections of the cervix, rectum, and throat. It can be passed to a baby during pregnancy or childbirth. If you have had it once, you can get it again, and untreated infections can contribute to future infertility. Testing is recommended if you are under age 25 and sexually active, or an older woman with new or multiple sex partners; men who have sex with men should be tested once a year.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is the third most common STI in the U.S. It is caused by a bacterium that infects the mucus membranes of the reproductive tracts of men and women, as well as the mouth, eyes, throat, and rectum. It is easily transmitted by sexual contact with an infected partner. Untreated, it can cause serious health issues. The CDC recommends annual screening for all sexually active women younger than 25 and older women with new or multiple sex partners. Most men and women have no or mild symptoms. Symptoms in women may include vaginal discharge, bleeding between periods, and painful urination. If it causes a rectal infection, symptoms may include discharge, anal itching, soreness, bleeding and painful bowel movements. Testing involves a urinalysis and or a tissue swab. There are FDA approved rectal and oral diagnostic tests available. Gonorrhea is curable. Condoms can reduce the risk of contracting gonorrhea.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is an STI caused by a parasite that infects the cervix via the vagina. It spreads easily and can lead to serious problems if not treated. Symptoms may not appear for up to a month after infection and include painful intercourse and urination, itching, and malodorous vaginal discharge that is foamy and yellow green.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a serious disease also caused by a bacterium. It is passed by direct contact with a syphilitic sore or chancre on the penis, vagina, anus, rectum, lips, or mouth. It takes 3 weeks from exposure to develop the first symptom, which is the development of a chancre. Untreated, the infection can progress hidden with no symptoms for decades while it infects the nervous system, eyes, and brain, and it can cause multiple organ failure. If pregnant, syphilis can spread to the unborn baby. Syphilis among newborns has sharply increased since 2015.

Genital Herpes Simplex Type 2

Genital Herpes Simplex Type 2 spreads by direct genital contact. It is most common in women. Symptoms often include painful, fluid-filled blisters or sores on the genitals, buttocks, thighs, and anus. Usually, the outbreak is preceded by a mild, flu-like illness. The blisters break and leave ulcers that can take up to a month to heal. Shooting pain in the genitalia can signal a herpes outbreak. It can spread to the mouth via oral sex. The herpes virus stays in the body but outbreaks tend to decrease with time. It is diagnosed by culture through a clinic. Herpes is not curable but can be managed with antiviral medications.

HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS stands for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV harms your immune system by destroying a type of white blood cell that helps your body fight infections. This puts you at risk for serious infections and certain cancers. AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It is the final stage of infection with HIV. It happens when the body’s immune system is badly damaged because of the virus. Not everyone with HIV develops AIDS.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is not an STI but is a serious complication of untreated infections like chlamydia or gonorrhea. Untreated STIs can spread to the uterus and sex organs and can damage the reproductive organs causing infertility, pain, and ectopic pregnancy. PID also increases the risk of HIV/AIDS infection.

When to see a doctor?

Symptoms of many STIs are often mild and confused with a UTI or yeast infection. Therefore, it is so important to get tested. If you have concerning symptoms, call Dr. Patel to schedule a consultation. If you think you have symptoms of an STI, abstain from sexual contact until you get a diagnosis to prevent spreading the infection.

Concerning symptoms include:

• unusual vaginal discharge
• abnormal vaginal odor
• painful or frequent urination
• pelvic or abdominal pain
• painful bowel movements
• persistent itching in the genitals
• rectal pain and itching, soreness, discharge and/ or bleeding
• unusual genital sores, warts or rashes

Dr. Dwaita Patel is a board-certified OB-Gyn at City OB+GYN in New York City. She strives to listen to your concerns and provides her patients with clear and accurate information in a private and clean office. Patients can count on being treated with compassion and respect.