National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

Be Safe Prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are infections you can get by having sex with someone who has an STI.

What’s Important to Know?

STIs can result from any sexual activity, whether it involves the mouth, anus, vagina, or penis. Some examples of STIs are chlamydia, gonorrhea, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and human papillomavirus (HPV).

  • STIs can be passed to another person during sex, so use a condom every time you have sex (vaginal, anal, or oral).
  • Condoms (latex or non-latex made of polyisoprene or polyurethane) can reduce the risk of STIs if used correctly and consistently.
  • Lambskin condoms do not reduce your risk of STIs.
  • You can reduce your risk of developing STIs by having sex with only one person who only has sex with you, and if both of you are not infected with an STI.
  • Decreasing the number of your sexual partners may reduce your risk of developing STIs.
  • Even though birth control pills prevent pregnancy, they do not prevent STIs.
  • STIs can also be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby before or during the baby’s birth.
  • HIV can be passed to a baby from an HIV-infected mother during pregnancy or by breast feeding. There are therapies available to prevent transmission of HIV to a baby.
  • If you are pregnant, get tested for STIs and seek appropriate treatment if the test is positive to avoid passing the infection to the baby.
  • Many STIs do not have symptoms. You can have an STI without knowing it. If you think you might have an STI or have been exposed, talk to your health care provider.
  • Some STIs can be cured with antibiotics if they are treated early. Untreated STIs can cause serious health problems, such as infertility.
  • If you are treated for an STI, your sex partner(s) should also be treated to prevent re-infecting you. Likewise, if your sex partner has been treated for an STI, you should be treated, too.
  • The best way to fully protect yourself from STIs is to abstain from sex.

– See more at: http://www.prevention.va.gov/Healthy_Living/Be_Safe_Prevent_Sexually_Transmitted_Infections.asp#sthash.RWkoIcEe.dpuf

Resources

  1. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Web site. 2014
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Healthfinder

– See more at: http://www.prevention.va.gov/Healthy_Living/Be_Safe_Prevent_Sexually_Transmitted_Infections.asp#important