What are STIs?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are also called sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). STIs can be passed from one person to another person during any type of sex including vaginal, oral (mouth), or anal.
There are many kinds of STIs, and more than half of all people will get one at some time in their life.
Often, STIs don’t cause any immediate symptoms. Getting tested lets you know if you have an STI so you can get the treatment you need. This is important because STIs can cause health problems if they are not treated. Certain STIs can cause people to feel very sick and can even affect whether people are able to have children.
If you have had sex without using a condom even once, then you could have been exposed to an STI.
For some people, the idea of getting tested is stressful. Keep in mind that STIs are common, and your medical provider has the same goal as you, which is to ensure your health and well-being.
Some common STIs:
Right now, Philadelphia has higher STI rates than most other counties in the U.S. Consider this if you think you could have been exposed to an STI – it’s another good reason to get tested!
What is HIV?
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus and is one example of an STI. This STI can be spread from person to person during vaginal sex, anal sex, or by blood, which can happen when using injection drugs and sharing equipment.
Using the prevention methods for all STIs is a great idea for HIV prevention. There is another tool you can consider as well: PrEP.
Want to learn more? You can also read up on HIV here.