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Sexually Transmitted Infections: Know the Facts
Student Health offers very reasonably priced sexually transmitted infection testing. Call 335-8394 for an appointment to be tested.
SHS also carries emergency contraception (morning after pill). Plan B emergency contraception is now available without a prescription. You may purchase this at the Westlawn Pharmacy at Student Health. You need to bring an ID with proof that verifies you are 18 or older. Students who are under 18 must make an appointment with a provider to obtain a written prescription. You can read more about emergency contraception here.
Information on sexually transmitted infections (STI) rapidly changes so check with your health care provider to be sure you have the most current information.
Types of STI
STI are either caused by bacteria (usually easier to treat and curable) or viruses (harder to treat, often incurable).
Chlamydia: a bacterial STI which generally has no symptoms in 75% of infected individuals. Chlamydia is the most common STI.
- Symptoms: Usually none in women. If symptoms are present they may include abnormal vaginal or penile discharge, abdominal pain, burning sensation when urinating. In men, pain in the testicles may also occur.
- Treatment: Oral antibiotics are prescribed for both the patient and the partner(s).
- Why Treatment is Important: Because there are often no symptoms, chlamydia can be passed on to partners without either person knowing of the infection. If left untreated, women may develop PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) and men can develop epididymitis both of which can lead to sterility.
Genital Herpes: a viral STI that produces painful blisters in, on, or near the genitals. Because it is viral, once herpes is in your system, it never goes away.
- Symptoms: May include headaches, fever, burning and tingling sensations. Attacks may become less severe over time. The virus is highly transmissible during outbreaks and pregnant women can pass it to infants during childbirth.
- Treatment: Symptoms can be managed but the virus is incurable. A health care provider can prescribe medication (example, Acyclovir) to manage the frequency and severity of outbreaks. Self care including a healthy diet, exercise, rest, pain relievers, and cool baths can also help. You should not have sexual relations from the time of initial symptoms (burning, tingling sensations) through the complete clearing up of blisters.
- Why Treatment is Important: Treatment often helps lessen the frequency and severity of outbreaks. Infected women are at higher risk for cervical cancer so regular Pap smear should be performed.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV): A family of over 100 viruses including those causing: 1) genital warts, and 2) precancerous cell changes (especially in women).
- Symptoms: Genital warts (condyloma) are small lesions often invisible to the naked eye. Warts may be pink, cauliflower-like or small, hard, gray-yellow growths around the anus, urethra, penis, vagina, vulva, or cervix. HPV can be spread even without visible symptoms.
- Treatment: Warts may be treated using lasers, freezing, creams or other medications. Some treatments cause discomfort or temporary pain. Attending all follow-up appointments is important. Self care can help maintain a strong immune system and control the infection. Use latex condoms for intercourse, dental dams for oral sex, and avoid contact with warts.
- Why Treatment is Important: HPV can result in pre-cancerous cell changes. Regular exams and Pap smears (for women) can help monitor the disease.
Hepatitis B: a bloodborne pathogen 100 times more infectious than HIV. Hep B is spread through blood and body fluids and sexual contact.
- Symptoms: May not be present but you may still have hepatitis B and can spread it to others. Symptoms may include nausea, fatigue, yellowing of skin/eyes (jaundice) or symptoms similar to stomach viruses.
- Treatment: Rest, modified diet to protect liver and repair cell damage. There is no cure. There is an effective vaccine given in three shots over six months. Use condoms to prevent transmission during sexual activity and avoid needle sharing if injecting drugs.
- Why VACCINATION is Important: Hepatitis B can be prevented but not cured. Hepatitis B infection is growing among young people - it is recommended that all young people be vaccinated.
Page updated: 3/27/08
