SPREAD INFORMATION, NOT SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS!

Chlamydia is a common STD that can infect both men and women. It can cause serious, permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive system. This can make it difficult or impossible for her to get pregnant later on. You can get chlamydia by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has chlamydia.  If your sex partner is male you can still get chlamydia even if he does not ejaculate (cum). 

Gonorrhea can infect both men and women. It can cause infections in the genitals, rectum, and throat. It is a very common infection, especially among young people ages 15-24 years.  You can get gonorrhea by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has gonorrhea. Some men with gonorrhea may have no symptoms at all. Most women with gonorrhea do not have any symptoms. Even when a woman has symptoms, they are often mild and can be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection.  

Genital Herpes is a common STD that any sexually active person can get. Most people with the virus have zero symptoms. Even without signs of the disease, herpes can still be spread to sex partners. More than 1 out of every 6 people aged 14 to 49 years have genital herpes.  You can get genital herpes by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. Be aware that not all herpes sores occur in areas that are covered by a latex condom. Also, herpes virus can be released (shed) from areas of the skin that do not have a visible herpes sore. For these reasons, condoms may not fully protect you from getting herpes. 

Syphilis can lead to very serious complications when left untreated, but it is simple to cure with the right treatment. Syphilis is divided into stages (primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary). There are different signs and symptoms associated with each stage. You can get syphilis by direct contact with a syphilis sore during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. You can find painless sores on or around the penis, vagina, or anus, or in the rectum, on the lips, or in the mouth. 

HPV is the most common STD in the U.S. Some health effects caused by HPV can e prevented with the HPV vaccine. 79 million Americans, most in their late teens and early 20s, are infected with HPV. There are many different types of HPV. Some types can cause health problems including genital warts and cancers.  You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. It is most commonly spread during vaginal or anal sex. HPV can be passed even when an infected person has no signs or symptoms. 

Trich is caused by infection with a protozoan parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. Although symptoms of the disease vary, most people who have the parasite cannot tell they are infected.  

Trichomoniasis is a common curable STD. In the United States, an estimated 3.7 million people have the infection.  The parasite passes from an infected person to an uninfected person during sex. In women, the most commonly infected part of the body is the lower genital tract (vulva, vagina, cervix, or urethra). In men, the most commonly infected body part is the inside of the penis (urethra).