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What is a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STIs)?

STIs, also known as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), are infections that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact.  There are two main types of STIs: Bacterial and Viral.  Bacterial pathogens include Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis.  These infections can be treated with antibiotics, but early treatment is important! Viral pathogens like hepatitis, human papillomavirus (HPV) and HIV cannot be cured but medications can be used to manage or suppress symptoms.  

How common are STIs?

There are 26 million new cases of STIs each year in the United States.  Nearly 50% of the new infections are in people between the ages of 15 and 24. It is recommended by the CDC, that anyone who is sexually active, and less than 25 years of age should undergo annual STI screening.    

How are STIs spread?

STIs are spread by having unprotected (without a condom) vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has an STI.  Some infections, such as herpes and syphilis, can be passed by skin-to-skin contact without having sex.  

What are the symptoms of an STI? 

Both bacterial and viral infections often do not cause any symptoms.  In fact, many pathogens can remain dormant for many years before symptoms develop.  With infections of gonorrhea and chlamydia, both women and men may experience symptoms that are similar to a urinary tract infection (painful urination), lower abdominal pain, or unusual discharge.  The only way to know for sure, if you have an STI or not, is to get tested.

Where can I get tested? 

The JU Student Health Center provides confidential STI testing Monday- Friday at a nominal cost.  

How are STIs treated?

Treatable STIs like Gonorrhea and Chlamydia may require and antibiotic by mouth or an infection.  For infections like herpes and HIV, that cannot be cured, medications can be prescribed to help with the symptoms. 

What happens if I don鈥檛 treat an STI?

In women, if left untreated, chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease which can lead to fertility issues, long term pelvic/abdominal pain and infections in other parts of the body. Untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea may also increase your risk of getting HIV.  An infection, like HIV, can be fatal if left untreated.  

What can I do to prevent an STI?

The only effective way to protect yourself is to not have vaginal, oral, or anal sex.  If you do decide to have sex, there are ways to lower your risk of getting an STI.  

1. Talk to your partner.  Before engaging in a sexual relationship, talk with your partner about STI testing, how you will prevent an STI and pregnancy.  Talk about what you will and will not do sexually.
2. Get Vaccinated.  Ensure you are vaccinated against HPV and Hepatitis B before you become sexually active.  
3. Get tested.  You and your partner should get tested for an STI before engaging in any sexual activity.
4. Use a condom.  Know how to use it correctly and make sure you and your partner use a condom from start to finish.  
5. Be monogamous.  If you and your partner are not in a monogamous relationship, there is increased risk of getting an STI.  
6. Avoid mixing sexual encounters with alcohol, recreational drugs, or partying.  Drinking too much alcohol increases risky sexual behaviors, like not using a condom or having sex with someone you would not normally have sex with, and that may put you at risk for possible exposure to an STI.  

The Right Way to Use a Dental Dam

Dental dams can help protect against certain sexually transmitted infections (Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Hepatitis, and HIV). People often think about sexual intercourse when it comes to passing STIs between partners, but they can also be transmitted through oral sex too. Dental dams work by reducing your risk of sharing fluids that may carry STIs.

Dental Dam Dos and Don鈥檛s 

• DO use a new latex or polyurethane dental dam every time you have oral sex.
• DO read the package and check the expiration date.
• DO make sure there are no tears or defects.
• DO put on before starting oral sex and keep it on until finished.
• DO use water-based or silicone-based lubricant to prevent breakage.
• DO store dental dams in a cool, dry place.
   
• 顿翱狈鈥橳 reuse a dental dam.
• 顿翱狈鈥橳 stretch a dental dam, as this can cause it to tear.
• 顿翱狈鈥橳 use nonoxynol-9 (a spermicide), which can cause irritation.
• 顿翱狈鈥橳 use oil-based products like baby oil, lotion, petroleum jelly, or cooking oil because they will cause the dental dam to break.
• 顿翱狈鈥橳 flush dental dams down the toilet as they may clog it.

The Right Way to Use a Female* Condom

A female condom can protect against the spread of a sexually transmitted infection and pregnancy. However, it is thought not to work as well as male condoms in protecting against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The female condom, when correctly used all of the time, is 95% effective.

Female Condom Dos and Don鈥檛s

• DO use a condom from start to finish, every time you have vaginal sex.
  • Female condoms can also be used for anal sex and follow the same general guidelines as those for vaginal sex.
• DO read the condom package insert and check the expiration date.
• DO make sure there are no tears or defects.
• DO use lubricant to help prevent the condom from slipping and tearing.
• DO store condoms in a cool, dry place.

 

• 顿翱狈鈥橳 use a male condom with a female condom, as this can cause tearing.
• 顿翱狈鈥橳 reuse condoms.
• 顿翱狈鈥橳 flush condoms as they may clog the toilet.

The Right Way to Use an External Condom

The CDC reports that condoms are the only birth control option that reduces your risk of both STIs and pregnancy. But, for condoms to work they must be used correctly and must be used every time you have sex. It鈥檚 important to know, however, that they cannot completely protect you and your partner from some STIs, like herpes, syphilis, or human papillomavirus (HPV). Also, condoms can break, slip, or leak, especially if they are not put on and taken off properly. The only sure way to prevent pregnancy and STIs is NOT to have sex.

External Condom Dos and Don鈥檛s

• DO use a condom every time you have sex.
• DO put on a condom before having sex.
• DO read the package and check the expiration date.
• DO make sure there are no tears or defects
• DO store condoms in a cool, dry place.
• DO use latex or polyurethane condoms.
• DO use water-based or silicone-based lubricant to prevent breakage.

 

• 顿翱狈鈥橳 store condoms in your wallet as heat and friction can damage them.
• 顿翱狈鈥橳 use nonoxynol-9 (a spermicide), as this can cause irritation.
• 顿翱狈鈥橳 use oil-based products like baby oil, lotion, petroleum jelly, or cooking oil because they will cause the condom to break.
• 顿翱狈鈥橳 use more than one condom at a time.
• 顿翱狈鈥橳 reuse a condom.
• 顿翱狈鈥橳 use condoms that are torn or outdated.