Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Sexually Transmitted Infections, or STIs for short, are infectious diseases that generally spreads from person-to-person through sexual contact, including vaginal, oral, and anal sex. It is important to know that STIs do not always cause symptoms or may only cause mild symptoms, so it may be possible to have an infection and not know it.

If you are sexually active, you should talk with your doctor about getting routinely tested for STIs. If you are diagnosed with an STI, know that all can be treated with medicine and some can be cured entirely.

STIs are preventable through different methods. If you have sex, know what you can do to protect both yourself and your sexual partner(s). To learn more about different STIs, check out the information below.

What is HIV?

Short for human immunodeficiency virus, HIV is a viral sexually transmitted infection that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, if untreated. It can infect anyone as HIV targets the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), which help the immune system fight off infections.

If not treated, HIV reduces how many CD4 cells (T cells) you have in your body, making you more likely to get other infections or infection-related cancers. These “opportunistic infections” or cancers take advantage of a very weak immune system, and signals that the person has AIDS, the last stage of HIV infection.

How does HIV spread?

HIV is spread mainly by having anal or vaginal sex with someone who has HIV without using a condom or taking prescribed medications to prevent or treat HIV.

For the HIV-negative partner, receptive anal sex (bottoming) is the highest-risk sexual behavior, but you can also get HIV from insertive anal sex (topping)
Either partner can get HIV through vaginal sex, though it is less risky for getting HIV than receptive anal sex

HIV can also spread through sharing needles or syringes, rinse water, or other equipment (works) used to prepare drugs for injection with someone who has HIV. HIV can live in a used needle for up to 42 days depending on temperature and other factors.

Less commonly, HIV can also be passed onto an infant during pregnancy, child birth, or breastfeeding.

In extremely rare cases, HIV has been transmitted by:

oral sex on the penis (fellatio), vagina (cunnilingus), or anus (rimming);
Receiving blood transfusions, blood products, or organ/tissue transplants contaminated with HIV. This risk is extremely low because of rigorous blood supply and organ/tissue testing.

To learn more about how HIV spreads, CLICK HERE.

How do I know if I have HIV?

The only way to certainly know if you have HIV is to get tested. Knowing your status is important because it helps you make healthy decisions to prevent getting or transmitting HIV.

Some people may experience flu-like symptoms within 2-4 weeks after infection, but it is important to know that not everyone may feel sick during this stage.

If you experience an illness, common flu-like symptoms include:

Fever
Chills
Rash
Night sweats
Muscle aches
Sore throat
Fatigue
Swollen lymph nodes
Mouth ulcers

Can HIV be cured?

Currently, no effective cure exists for HIV. However, with the right treatment, HIV can be managed. It is important to take all of the medication prescribed to prevent any further complications later on in life. Any medications prescribed should not be shared with anyone else.

For more information about how to protect yourself, CLICK HERE.

What happens if I don’t get treated for HIV?

Without any treatment, HIV can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS. HIV-infected persons who are not regularly taking antiretroviral treatment may be more likely to transmit HIV to their partners.

In addition to HIV being left untreated, you would be at greater risk getting other STIs. Talk with one of our health care providers today about prevention, care, and treatment by calling (973) 972-5111.

To learn more about HIV, CLICK HERE.

What is chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria, Chlamydia trachomatis. It can infect anyone, and the infection can be located in the uterus, cervix, urethra (inside the penis), rectum, or throat.

How does chlamydia spread?

Chlamydia can be spread if you have oral, vaginal, or anal sex with someone who has the infection. It can also be passed onto an infant during child birth.

If you’ve had chlamydia in the past and were treated for it, you can still get infected again.

How do I know if I have chlamydia?

Most people who have chlamydia show no symptoms. If you do show symptoms, they may not appear until several weeks after having unprotected sex with an infected partner.

Common symptoms include:

An abnormal vaginal or penile discharge, which may have a strong smell;
A burning sensation when urinating;
Pain or swelling in one or both testicles (although this is less common)
Rectal pain, discharge, and/or bleeding

Can chlamydia be cured?

With the right treatment, chlamydia can be cured. It is important to take all of the medication prescribed to prevent any further complications later on in life. Any medications prescribed should not be shared with anyone else.

It is also important to remember that you can get re-infected with chlamydia, and it is common. Talk with your doctor about repeat testing after you are treated.

What happens if I don’t get treated for chlamydia?

Chlamydia can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.

For people with uteri, untreated chlamydia can spread through your uterus to your fallopian tubes, which in turn causes pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

PID often shows no symptoms, however some may have abdominal and pelvic pain. PID can cause permanent damage to your reproductive system, leading to long-term pelvic pain, inability to get pregnant, and more.

To learn more about chlamydia, CLICK HERE.

What is gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria, Neisseria gonorrhoeae. More common among young people ages 15-24 years, it can infect anyone, and the infection can be located in the genitals, rectum, and throat.

How does gonorrhea spread?

Gonorrhea can be spread if you have oral, vaginal, or anal sex with someone who has the infection. It can also be passed onto an infant during child birth.

How do I know if I have gonorrhea?

Most people who have gonorrhea show no symptoms.

For people who do show symptoms, common symptoms include:

A burning, sometimes painful, sensation when urinating;
A white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis;
Increased vaginal discharge;
Painful or swollen testicles (although this is less common);
Vaginal bleeding between periods;
Rectal discharge and/or bleeding, anal itching, soreness, and painful bowel movements.

You should be examined by your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms, or if your partner has an STI or shows symptoms of an STI, such as an unusual sore, a smelly discharge, burning when urinating, or bleeding between periods.

Can gonorrhea be cured?

With the right treatment, gonorrhea can be cured. It is important to take all of the medication prescribed to prevent any further complications later on in life. Any medications prescribed should not be shared with anyone else.

It is becoming harder to treat some gonorrhea, as some drug-resistant types of gonorrhea are increasing. If your symptoms persist for more than a few days after receiving treatment, you should see your health care provider to be checked again.

It is also important to remember that you can get re-infected with gonorrhea, and it is common. Talk with your doctor about repeat testing after you are treated.

What happens if I don’t get treated for gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.

For people with uteri, untreated gonorrhea can spread through your uterus to your Fallopian tubes, which in turn causes pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

PID can cause permanent damage to your reproductive system, leading to long-term pelvic pain, inability to get pregnant, and more.

For people with urethrae, gonorrhea can cause a painful condition in the tubes attached to the testicles. In rare cases, this may cause these individuals to be sterile.

Rarely, untreated gonorrhea can become life-threatening if spread to your blood and joints.

To learn more about gonorrhea, CLICK HERE.

What is genital herpes?

Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by two types of viruses: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).

In the United States, more than one out of every six people aged 14 to 49 years have genital herpes.

What is oral herpes?

Oral herpes is usually caused by HSV-1 and can result in cold sores or fever blisters on or around the mouth. However, most people do not have any symptoms.

Most people with oral herpes were infected during childhood or young adulthood from non-sexual contact with saliva.

How do genital herpes spread?

Genital herpes can be spread if you have oral, vaginal, or anal sex with someone who has the infection. It can also be passed onto an infant during child birth.

If you do not have herpes, you can get infected if you come into contact with the virus through:

A herpes sore;
Saliva (if your partner has an oral herpes infection) or genital secretions (if your partner has a genital herpes infection);
Skin in the oral area if your partner has an oral herpes infection, or skin in the genital area if your partner has a genital herpes infection.

You can get herpes from a sex partner who does not have a visible sore or who may not know he or she is infected. It is also possible to get genital herpes if you receive oral sex from a sex partner who has oral herpes.

You will not get herpes from toilet seats, bedding, or swimming pools, or from touching objects around you such as silverware, soap, or towels. If you have additional questions about how herpes is spread, consider discussing your concerns with a healthcare provider.

How do I know if I have herpes?

Most people who have genital herpes show no symptoms, or very mild symptoms. You may not notice mild symptoms or you may mistake them for another skin condition, such as a pimple or ingrown hair. Because of this, most people who have herpes do not know it.

Herpes sores usually appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals, rectum or mouth. The blisters break and leave painful sores that may take a week or more to heal. These symptoms are sometimes called “having an outbreak.” The first time someone has an outbreak they may also have flu-like symptoms such as fever, body aches, or swollen glands.

People who experience an initial outbreak of herpes can have repeated outbreaks, especially if they are infected with HSV-2. Repeat outbreaks are usually shorter and less severe than the first outbreak. Although the infection stays in the body for the rest of your life, the number of outbreaks may decrease over time.

Can herpes be cured?

There is no cure for herpes. However, there are medicines that can prevent or shorten outbreaks. One of these anti-herpes medicines can be taken daily, and makes it less likely that you will pass the infection on to your sex partner(s).

What happens if I don’t get treated for herpes?

Genital herpes can cause painful genital sores and can be severe in people with suppressed immune systems.

If you touch your sores or the fluids from the sores, you may transfer herpes to another part of your body, such as your eyes. Do not touch the sores or fluids to avoid spreading herpes to another part of your body. If you do touch the sores or fluids, immediately wash your hands thoroughly to help avoid spreading your infection.

To learn more about genital herpes, CLICK HERE.

What is Hepatitis B?

“Hepatitis” means inflammation of the liver.

Hepatitis B can be a serious liver disease as a result from the Hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Acute HBV refers to a short-term infection that occurs within the first 6 months after someone is infected with the virus. This infection can range from a mild illness with few or no symptoms to a more serious condition, likely requiring hospitalization. Some people are able to get rid of the virus without treatment, and in turn become immune and cannot get infected with the Hepatitis B virus again.

Chronic HBV refers to a lifelong infection that happens depending on the age of someone infected. Up to 90% of infants and 5% of adults infected with the HBV will develop a chronic infection. Over time, chronic HBV can cause serious health problems, including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death.

How does Hepatitis B spread?

The Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is spread when blood, semen, or other bodily fluids from an infected person enters the body of someone who is not infected. HBV can be spread through:

Sex with an infected person;
Injection drug use;
Childbirth.

HBV is not spread through contaminated food or water, breastfeeding, sharing eating utensils, hugging, kissing, holding hands, coughing, or sneezing.

How do I know if I have Hepatitis B?

Most people who have Hepatitis B show no symptoms. If you do show symptoms, they can include:

Fever;
Feeling tired;
Not wanting to eat;
Upset stomach;
Throwing up;
Dark urine;
Grey-colored stool;
Joint pain;
Yellow skin and eyes

The only way to know if you have Hepatitis B is to get tested through blood work.

Can Hepatitis B be cured?

For those with acute Hepatitis B, doctors usually recommend rest, adequate nutrition, fluids, and close medical monitoring. Some people may need to be hospitalized.

People living with chronic Hepatitis B should be evaluated for liver problems and monitored on a regular basis. Treatments are available that can slow down or prevent the effects of liver disease.

Can Hepatitis B be prevented?

Yes. The best way to prevent getting Hepatitis B is by getting vaccinated. The vaccine is typically given as a series of 3 shots over a period of 6 months. Talk with your health care provider about getting vaccinated.

Who should get vaccinated against Hepatitis B?

All infants are routinely vaccinated for Hepatitis B at birth.

The vaccination is also recommended for people living with someone infected with Hepatitis B, travelers to certain countries, and healthcare and public safety workers exposed to blood.

People with high-risk sexual behaviors, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, and people with certain medical conditions, including diabetes, should talk with their health care provider about getting vaccinated.

To learn more about Hepatitis B, CLICK HERE.

What is syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria, Treponema pallidum. It can be divided into stages that show different signs and symptoms: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary.

How does syphilis spread?

Syphilis can be spread if you have direct contact with a syphilis sore through oral, vaginal, or anal sex with someone who has the infection. It can also be passed onto an infant during child birth.

If you’ve had syphilis in the past and were treated for it, you can still get infected again.

How do I know if I have syphilis?

Syphilis is divided into four stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary.

A person with primary syphilis generally has a sore or sores at the original site of infection. These sores generally occur on or around the genitals, around the anus or in the rectum, or in or around the mouth, and are usually (but not always) firm, round, and painless. The signs and symptoms of primary syphilis can be mild and might not be noticed.

A person with secondary syphilis could show a skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, and a fever. The signs and symptoms of secondary syphilis can be mild and might not be noticed.

During the latent stage, there are no signs or symptoms.

Tertiary syphilis is associated with severe medical problems. A doctor can usually diagnose tertiary syphilis with the help of multiple tests.

Can syphilis be cured?

With the right antibiotics, syphilis can be cured. However, treatment might not undo any damages that the infection has already done.

It is also important to remember that you can get re-infected with syphilis. Talk with your doctor about repeat testing after you are treated.