STI / STD Testing Basics

Gonorrhea, also known as The Clap, is a bacterial infection that may cause infertility if left untreated. It’s a common STD, with over 3 million cases diagnosed each year in the United States alone. Gonorrhea does not always cause symptoms, but when it does, they include burning when urinating; white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis in infected men; increased vaginal discharge and vaginal bleeding between periods in women; and anal itching or bleeding and painful bowel movements if contracted during anal sex.

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection most common in young women, though men can also contract this disease. Many people infected with Chlamydia do not manifest any symptoms, but those who do might experience painful urination and uncomfortable sexual intercourse. You might also experience discharge from the penis or vagina, or discharge or spotting from your eyes.

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that initially manifests as a painless sore. If left untreated, this infection can cause a full-body rash in about 4-10 days after exposure. If still untreated, Syphilis can harm internal organs 3-15 years after the infection is contracted. This STD is less common than some other infections, with less than 200,000 cases in the United States each year.

People can contract herpes around their mouths in the form of cold sores, though this is less serious than Genital Herpes. You might contract genital herpes without any symptoms, but if you do show symptoms, it will manifest as painful sores around the genitals. These sores can turn into ulcers or scabs.

Hepatitis B is a serious disease that affects the liver. It can be transmitted via infected blood as well as through sexual contact. Left untreated, Hepatitis B will inflame the liver and eventually cause cirrhosis, a serious condition that can lead to liver failure, which may mean that you’ll end up needing a liver transplant. Symptoms of this disease usually include pain in the abdomen, fatigue, nausea, yellow skin and eyes, and swollen blood vessels in the skin.

Similar to Hepatitis B, this disease attacks the liver and causes inflammation, though most people who are infected don’t have any symptoms. If it isn’t treated, it can lead to liver cancer, cirrhosis, and liver failure. Hepatitis C can be transmitted sexually and through infected blood.

Where most STDs are caused by bacterial infection, Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite that is transmitted sexually. It is a highly common disease, with over 3 million cases each year in the United States alone. Pregnant women with this infection may be at risk for premature delivery. Infected women might experience odorous vaginal discharge, painful urination, and genital itching. Men typically show no symptoms.

Arguably the most serious STD you can contract, HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It evolves into AIDS and makes it difficult for your body to fight off infections by taking over the cells that usually defend the body. A few weeks after being exposed to HIV, you might experience a fever, fatigue, or a sore throat. After that, you might not experience any symptoms until the disease progresses into AIDS. HIV is rare, with less than 200,000 cases each year in the United States.