Follow these links for information about commonly sexually transmitted infections. Although any disease (e.g. the common cold) can be a sexually transmitted infection, these diseases are specifically transmitted through intimate contact.

Bacterial STIs are commonly characterized by a cloudy vaginal or anal discharge. They are usually curable by antibiotics.

- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
- PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease)

Viral STIs are commonly characterized by the presence of recurring or symptoms. They are usually incurable.

- Herpes
- HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)
- HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
- Hepatitis

Infestations are insect growths on the surface of the organism. They are usually treated by special shampoo.

- Crabs
- Scabies



Chlamydia

Symptoms Appear: 7-21 days after sex
Symptoms: Most women and some men have no symptoms. However it is possible for women to experience vaginal discharge and bleeding, burning during urination, and abdominal pain. Men can experience cloudy penile discharge and painful urination.
Transmission: Direct contact with infected mucous membrane with the urethra, cervix, anus, or throat during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
Complications: Can cause PID in women and sterility in men and women if untreated. Leading cause of ectopic pregnancy in the US.
Treatment: Curable with antibiotics.


Gonorrhea ("The Clap")

Symptoms Appear: Usually 2-10 days (up to 30) after sex
Symptoms: White or yellow discharge from genitals or anus. Pain on urination or defecation. Infections of the throat are usually without symptoms.
Transmission: Direct contact with infected mucous membrane with the urethra, cervix, anus, or throat during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
Complications: Can cause PID and sterility in women and men if untreated.
Treatment: Curable with antibiotics.


Syphilis

Symptoms Appear: 3 - 12 weeks after sex (1st stage)
Symptoms: 1st stage Symptoms: Shanker (painless pimple, blister, or sore) on the mouth, sex organs, breasts, or fingers (i.e. where the germs entered the body). The sore lasts 1-5 weeks then disappears (but you still have syphilis).
2nd stage Symptoms: May appear 1 week to 6 months after sore heals. Rash and flu-like symptoms.
Transmission: Direct contact with infectious sores, rashes, or mucous patches during vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse.
Complications: Can cause heart disease, blindness, and death.
Treatment: Curable with antibiotics.


"Pelvic Inflammatory Disease"

Symptoms Appear: Symptoms can appear anytime after an infection occurs in the reproductive tract.
Symptoms: Can cause lower abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, painful intercourse, and fever.
Transmission: Usually the secondary result of an STD such as gonorrhea or chlamydia.
Complications: Can cause infertility in males and females, cervical cancer, and ectopic pregnancy.
Treatment: Can be cured with antibiotics. Oral contraceptives have been proven effective in reducing the risk of PID in women.


"Herpes"

Symptoms Appear: Usually around 12 days after exposure but can appear 1 day to 7 weeks after virus enter the body.
Symptoms: Small, tender, painful blisters in the genital, oral (nose and mouth), eye, or anal areas. Flu like symptoms, painful urination, swollen glands are also common.
Transmission: Direct contact with infected sores or secretions. Most transmission occurs from unrecognized lesions, or asymptomatic viral shedding. Can be transmitted even when there are no sores present.
Complications: Highly contagious. Herpetic blisters can grow and spread under body contact.
Treatment: There is no cure for the herpes simplex virus. Antiviral agents may be taken to reduce severity of outbreak. Condoms are often ineffective in preventing the disease since blisters can occur outside of the protected area.


Human Papilloma Virus ("HPV" or "Genital Warts")

Symptoms Appear: Usually 3 months but it can appear 1 - 8 months after contact with warts.
Symptoms: Flat, elevated, or cauliflower wart-like growth appear on genitals, anus, or throat. Itching and burning around sex organs. Warts may disappear and reappear throughout life.
Transmission: Direct contact with warts during vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse.
Complications: Highly contagious. Warts can grow and spread if untreated.
Treatment: There is no way to remove the virus from one's body. Warts can be removed with liquids, gels, creams, and surgery. Condoms are often ineffective in preventing the disease since blisters can occur outside of the protected area.


HIV/AIDS ("Human Immunodeficiency Virus" or "Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome")

Symptoms Appear: Symptoms of HIV appear several months to several years after contact. HIV tests are usually effective 2-4 months after exposure.
Symptoms: Can be present for many years with no symptoms. Flu like symptoms. Unexplained weight loss or tiredness. White spots in mouth.
Transmission: HIV is transmitted through the blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk of infected persons. Vaginal and anal sexual intercourse as well as sharing needles are primary means of transmission. Saliva has been shown to be a p oor carrier of HIV, although oral intercourse can pose risks due to secondary HIV complications (such as sores in mouth).
Complications: HIV can cause illness and death.
Treatment: There is no cure for HIV/AIDS. There are numerous protease inhibitors to slow the progress of HIV infection and prevent AIDS. Latex condoms have been proven effective in preventing HIV transmission. UHS offers CONFIDENTIAL (5-2001) an d ANONYMOUS (5-2139) testing. Tests take 2 weeks to be returned.


Hepatitis B

Symptoms Appear: Symptoms show up 1-9 months after exposure to the virus.
Symptoms: Most people have mild symptoms or no symptoms. Can experience weakness, jaundice, dark urine, flu-like symptoms.
Transmission: Contact with the body fluids of an infected person, including blood, semen, mucus, and saliva. May be transmitted by sharing needles.
Complications: Can cause permanent liver damage and/or death.
Treatment: There is no cure for hepatitis. There is a vaccine available for individuals who have not yet been exposed. Condoms are usually effective in controlling the viral transmission.


"Crabs"

Symptoms Appear: Usually 6-9 days after exposure (but eggs can take up to 5 weeks to hatch).
Symptoms: The small, visible insects produce intense genital itching and pinhead blood spots on underwear as they lay eggs in the patient's skin.
Transmission: Transmitted through sexual contact, intimate contact, clothes, or bedding.
Complications: Secondary infections can occur as a result of scratching.
Treatment: Treated with special shampoo applied to affected area and vigorous washing of clothes and bedclothes. Condoms are often ineffective in preventing the disease since infestations can occur outside of the protected area.


"Scabies"

Symptoms Appear: Symptoms appear 2-6 weeks after contact.
Symptoms: Severe itching at night, raised gray lines on skin where mites burrow on hands, genitals, breast, stomach, and buttocks.
Transmission: Transmitted through sexual contact, intimate contact, clothes, or bedding.
Complications: Secondary infections can occur as a result of scratching.
Treatment: Treated with special shampoo applied to affected area and vigorous washing of clothes and bedclothes. Condoms are often ineffective in preventing the disease since infestations can occur outside of the protected area.