Curable STDs

Chlamydia

What Is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia can cause an infection in the man's urethra (tube in the middle of his penis that goes to his bladder) and testicles (balls). If it gets very bad, it can cause an infection in other parts of his reproductive system.

Chlamydia can cause an infection in a woman's vagina and her urethra (tube that goes to her bladder). If it gets very bad, it can also cause infection in other parts of her reproductive system.

Women and men can get Chlamydia of the throat by having oral sex.

A simple and painless urine test can be done to find out if you have Chlamydia.

Symptoms
Long-Term Effects
Treatment

Symptoms

Most people do not have any signs of Chlamydia. That's why most people don't know they have it. The best way to find out if you have it is to have a test done.

A few people may have these signs:

A thick yellow or clear discharge from the penis or vagina
Pain or burning when they urinate (pee)
Pain during sex
For women, bleeding between periods and during or after sex

Long-Term Effects

Chlamydia can be cured. But if you don't get treated, these things could happen:

You could pass it on to others.
You have a higher chance of getting HIV (the virus that causes AIDS).
The vagina or penis could hurt and swell.

A woman with untreated chlamydia could get an infection that causes scars in her uterus or in the tubes that carry her eggs. If this happens:

She could have a pregnancy in her tubes (ectopic pregnancy).
She could have pelvic pain and infection (PID).
She might become sterile (unable to get pregnant).

If a woman has chlamydia while she is pregnant, chlamydia could harm the baby's eyes or lungs during birth.

A man with untreated Chlamydia could get a bad infection that can cause scarring of the tubes that carry sperm. If this happens, he might not be able to children.

Treatment

To cure Chlamydia:

You may take antibiotic medicine. You may take it in one dose. Or you may take pills for a week.
You and your partner(s) must get treated.
Take all of your pills, even if you feel better.
Do not have sex for at least one week after you start your treatment.

If you think you might be pregnant, be sure to tell your doctor before you get treated.

Gonorrhea

What It Is
Symptoms
Long-Term Effects
Treatment

What It Is

Gonorrhea is an infection of the penis, vagina, anus, or throat.

Gonorrhea is caused by bacteria (a kind of germ).
You get gonorrhea by having sex with someone who has it.
Gonorrhea can be spread by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

A simple and painless urine test can be done to find out if you have gonorrhea.

Symptoms

You can have gonorrhea without knowing it. Many people don’t show signs at all. The best way to find out if you have it is to get tested.

Some people may have these signs:

Pain when they urinate (pee) or have a bowel movement
A yellow discharge from the penis or vagina
For men, pain in the testicles
For women, pain or tenderness in the abdomen
A sore throat

Long-Term Effects

Gonorrhea can be cured. But if you don’t get it treated, the following could happen:

You can pass it on to others.
You have a higher chance of getting HIV (the virus that causes AIDS).

If you have gonorrhea too long before being treated, it can cause these problems:

Your joints may swell and hurt.
The vagina or penis may swell and hurt.

A woman with untreated gonorrhea could get an infection that causes scars in her uterus or in the tubes that carry her eggs. If this happens:

She could have a pregnancy inside her tubes (ectopic pregnancy).
She could have pelvic pain and infection (PID).
She might become sterile (unable to get pregnant).

If a woman has gonorrhea while she is pregnant, gonorrhea could harm the baby’s eyes during birth.

A man with untreated gonorrhea could get a bad infection that causes scarring of the tubes that carry sperm. If this happens, he might not be able to have children.

Treatment

To cure gonorrhea:

You must get a shot or take pills.
You and your partner(s) must be treated.
Take all of your pills, even if you feel better.
Do not have sex until you and your partner(s) have been treated. You may need another checkup to be sure you are cured.

If you think you may be pregnant, be sure to tell your doctor before you get treated.

Syphilis

What It Is
Symptoms
Long-Term Effects
Treatment

What It Is

Syphilis is a dangerous disease that can affect the whole body.

Syphilis is caused by bacteria (a kind of germ).
You get syphilis by having sex with someone who has it.
Syphilis can be spread by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

You can get tested for syphilis with a simple blood test.

Symptoms

The signs of syphilis can be so mild that you may never notice them. The first sign is a painless sore, called a chancre (pronounced "shank-er").

This sore can be on or near the vagina, penis, mouth, or anus.
You may not even see or feel the sore because the sore can be in an area of the penis that the man can't see or in an area of the vagina a woman can't see unless the man or woman looked at these areas carefully using a mirror.
It heals by itself even if it is not treated. But you still have syphilis.

After a few weeks or months, you may have some of these signs:

Rash (Painless; can be on palms of hands or soles of feet, or entire body. Goes away in 2-10 weeks.)
Swollen glands
Joint pain
Fever
Hair loss
Sore throat
Headaches

These signs may also go away without treatment, but you still have the disease.

Long-Term Effects

Syphilis can be cured with medicine. But if you don't get treated, you could:

Pass it on to others.
Have a higher chance of getting HIV (the virus that causes AIDS).

If not treated, over time syphilis can cause serious health problems, such as:

Blindness
Brain damage
Heart disease
Death

If a woman has syphilis while she is pregnant:

Her baby could have birth defects.
Her baby may be born dead.

Treatment

To cure syphilis:

You must get one or more shots.
You and your partner(s) must be treated.
Get all of the shots you need, even if you feel better.
Do not have sex until you and your partner(s) have finished treatment.
You may need another checkup to be sure you are cured.

If you think you may be pregnant, be sure to tell your doctor before you get treated.

Trichomoniasis

What It Is
Symptoms
Long-Term Effects
Treatment

What It Is

Trichomoniasis (Trich; pronounced "trick") is an infection of the vagina or penis.

Trichomoniasis is caused by parasites.
You get it by having sex with someone who has it.
Trichomoniasis is spread by fluids from the vagina or penis.

Symptoms

Most often, men don't have signs. Sometimes, they may have an itching in the urethra (the tube that carries urine) or a burning feeling when they urinate (pee).

Some women don't have signs, but many do. Women may have these signs:

A foamy, smelly, yellow, green, or gray discharge from the vagina
Itching or burning of the vagina
A burning pain when they urinate

The test for trichomoniasis is a simple, painless test for women. A sample of vaginal discharge is examined with a microscope. Sometimes trichomoniasis in men's urine can be seen with a mircoscope.

Long-Term Effects

Trich can be cured, but if you don't get treated, the following can happen:

You can pass it to others.
You may have a higher chance of getting HIV or another STD.

If a woman has trich while she is pregnant, her baby may be born too small or too early.

Treatment

Trich can be cured with antibiotics. To cure trich:

You must take pills.
You and your partner(s) must be treated.
Take all of your pills, even if you feel better.
Don't have sex until you and your partner(s) have finished your treatment.

If you think you may be pregnant, be sure to tell your doctor before you get treated.

Vaginal Infections

There are several kinds of vaginal infections (vaginitis). Not all of these are caused by having sex. But they can be spread that way. The most common vaginal infections are Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) and yeast infections.

Tips for keeping the vagina healthy

Always wipe yourself from front to back when you go to the bathroom. Wipe from the opening that urine comes out of (above the vaginal opening) towards your rectal area. This can keep germs from your anus away from your vagina.
Don't douche. You don't need to clean inside your vagina. It keeps clean by itself. When you douche, you may be washing away what the vagina needs to keep healthy.
Wear cotton underwear. Don't wear tight pantyhose. This will keep you cool and dry so bacteria won't grow as easily.

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

What It Is
Symptoms
Long-Term Effects
Treatment

What It Is

Every woman normally has some the bacteria in her vagina, but sometimes there is too much, causing an infection called Bacterial Vaginosis (BV).

This can happen for many reasons, such as:

Hot weather (sweating in the vaginal area)
Poor hygeine
Too much douching
A new sex partner
Having more than one sex partner
Sex with someone who has unclean hands or penis
Using an IUD

Symptoms

Women may have these signs:

A fishy-smelling discharge from your vagina
A heavy or milky discharge
Itching in or around the vagina

Long-Term Effects

BV can be cured with medicine, but if you don’t get treated, the following could happen:

Your tubes and uterus can get infected.
You may have a higher chance of getting or spreading HIV or other STDs.

If a woman has BV while she is pregnant, her baby could be born too soon or too small.

Treatment

To cure BV:

You must take pills or use a medicine that you put in your vagina.

If you think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor before you get treated.

Yeast Infection

What It Is
Symptoms
Long-Term Effects
Treatment

What It Is

A yeast infection is a common infection of the vagina. It is caused by yeast germs (Candida). Every woman has some yeast in her vagina. But if you have too much yeast, you can get a yeast infection. This may happen for many reasons, such as:

Pregnancy.
Hot weather or exercise from sweat in the vaginal area.
Wearing tight underwear or panty hose.
Taking certain kinds of medicines, like antibiotics.
Douching too much.
Diabetes or HIV.

The test for yeast infection is simple and painless.

Symptoms

You may have these signs:

A thick, white discharge, like cottage cheese
Itching in or around the vagina
A burning pain when you urinate (pee)
A yeasty or strange smell

Long-Term Effects

There are no long-term effects of yeast infection.

Treatment

To cure a yeast infection, a woman must:

Take a pill or put medicine in her vagina. She should use the medicine even if she gets her period.