Anyone who has sex is at risk of getting an STI. Learn the basics below on what they are, how they spread (you can’t see or tell if you have some of them), and what to do about them.
What Are STIs?
- STI Basics: STIs (sexually transmitted infections) are infections passed between people during sex (oral, vaginal, or anal).
- Different Types: There are viral STIs (like HIV, herpes, HPV), bacterial ones (like chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis), and even some caused by parasites (like trichomoniasis).
- Symptoms May Not Show: A lot of STIs don’t have visible symptoms, which is why testing is important. Just because you can’t see anything odd or unusual, does not mean you haven’t got one. That’s why you need to get tested every few months or similar.
- You can read more on STIs with the CDC at https://www.cdc.gov/std/.
How STIs Spread (and how to avoid getting them):
- Body Fluids and Contact: STIs are spread through bodily fluids (like semen and vaginal fluids) and skin-to-skin contact.
- Condoms Reduce Risk: Condoms and dental dams don’t cover everything but help lower the chances of passing on an STI. You should use them if you are unsure if another person is STI-free or you want to practice safer sex. If you are not sure if you should use a condom/dental dam or not, then yes, you should use them. Condoms can be purchased at gas stations, supermarkets/shops, chemists/pharmacies, and many other locations. Some health clinics offer them for free. Dental dams are less commonly found – usually you can get them online or from a health clinic.
- Some STIs Aren’t Only Spread Sexually: Some can be passed through non-sexual ways, like shared needles or from a mother to her baby.
- It’s not 100% guaranteed you will never get an STI. The best option is to learn about what they are, how they spread, and what to do if you get one. STIs are spread through sexual contact/activity where someone you have sex with has an STI. If you do get one, get tested ASAP and get treatment to get rid or manage it sooner – the sooner you do, the better it will be for your body and you.
For more info on STI transmission and prevention, check out the World Health Organization (WHO) here: https://www.who.int/health-topics/sexually-transmitted-infections.
Getting Tested and Be Safe:
- Regular Testing is Key: How often depends on your lifestyle, but every 3-6 months is recommended if you have sex with more than 1 other person.
- Different Tests for Different STIs: Depending on the infection, tests might be a blood test, urine sample, or swab. An STI / health clinic will let you know what is involved.
- Affordable Options: Many clinics offer low-cost testing. CDC’s GetTested has a clinic locator for people in the United States. If you live in another country, search for ‘STI testing near me’ on Google.
Talking to Partners About STIs:
If you get an STI, it’s important to let anyone you have had sex with recently know so they can get tested and treated too. Don’t delay.
- Be Open and Honest: If you find out you have an STI, let recent sexual partners know directly and calmly. Send them a message, talk in person or give them a call. They need to get tested and get treatment to get rid or manage their infection – the sooner the better, so don’t delay in telling them.
- Use Friendly Language: Try to keep things light and focus on health instead of blame. Sometimes it’s hard to track down how you got one, so focus on getting yourself tested ASAP and tell anyone else you has had sex with you recently to do so too.
- Anonymous Notifications: If it feels hard to tell someone, some services let you notify people anonymously through a text or email. Look online for this, or ask your doctor/health professional.
- Share Info on Testing: Give your partner tips on where they can get tested – you can recommend the same clinic you use or they can visit their own. STD Check is good for private testing in the US, but if you can’t afford this or live elsewhere, search ‘STI testing near me’ on Google or ask your doctor for options.
How do I know if someone has an STI or is STI-free?
- Not all STIs are visible – some you cannot see or tell if someone has one. That’s why you should get tested to be sure you are STI-free. STIs are usually spread from people not knowing (because they can’t see or tell), didn’t get tested to know they have one, or are not honest about if they have one.
- If someone claims to be STI-free: Some clinics/testing facilities provide STI test results via email, SMS, or printout – you can ask someone to show you their test results. Know that not all places offer this, so someone might need to ring up with you to hear from their doctor that they are STI-free. Or if you trust the person, take their word. If you are ever unsure, you can always say no to sex, or use a condom/dental dam.
Anyone who engages in sex should know about STIs including all of the basics above. If someone doesn’t know, help share this article with them so they can learn too. What you are taught in school is not enough and often doesn’t mention all of the above – most people are taught to avoid sex or are taught what sex is but not much more than that.
Helping educate others keeps you and others safer, and helps reduce the spread of STIs. Sex is fun and is more fun when you and your other sexual partners are STI free.
Thank you for doing your part to help play safely.
If you have any questions, consult your doctor or a medical professional!