CDC estimates that as many as 1 in 5 people in the U.S. may have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) at any given time. Since many STIs present with no symptoms and can have serious consequences if left untreated, it’s important to learn about common STIs, their symptoms and how regular STI testing can help provide you important information for your overall health.
Here are answers to six common STI questions.
1) STD vs STI: What’s the difference?
Both terms refer to essentially the same thing: infections that get passed from one person to another during sex.
You may be more familiar with the term “sexually transmitted disease” (STD), but more and more healthcare providers are adopting the more up-to-date term STI since it is more accurate and less misleading.
Most STIs never develop into diseases, especially if caught and treated early. The word “infection” carries less stigma than the word “disease.” Using the term STI may help reduce this unnecessary stigma and help encourage more people to seek testing and treatment.
2) Can STIs be cured?
STIs can be treated, and many can even be completely cured if detected early:
- Gonorrhea is a bacterial STI that can often be treated with a single dose of antibiotic, and other regimens are available if it is caught early. If not caught early, it can cause infections in the genitals, rectum, cervix, and even the throat.
- Chlamydia is a bacterial STI that is treatable with antibiotics. Chlamydia often has no symptoms, but it can lead to serious health problems, even without symptoms. In women, untreated chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which could lead to infertility.
- Trichomoniasis (or “trich”) is a curable STI that is easily treated with antibiotics if caught early. Caused by infection from a parasite, its symptoms vary from person to person, and most people can’t tell they’re infected.
- Syphilis is a common bacterial STI that can be easily cured with antibiotics if detected early. Left untreated, it can cause serious health issues like brain damage, paralysis or blindness.
3) How can you get screened for STIs?
If you are sexually active, screening once a year gives important insight into your current sexual health. Screening for most STIs can be done with a simple blood or urine test your healthcare provider can order. You can also purchase a test yourself through Labcorp OnDemand to easily and discreetly screen for gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis in one test.
Screening for syphilis will require a blood test, as this test looks for specific antibodies in your blood that may indicate an infection.
These are relatively routine screenings, which means you can get the results you need quickly. Then, you and your provider can determine next steps with your results, including treatment if necessary.
4) Do STIs always have symptoms?
STI symptoms can take anywhere from days, weeks or years to develop, and some STIs like chlamydia or gonorrhea may never cause symptoms in certain people. This makes it impossible to tell if you have an STI just by examining your symptoms. Some people only develop mild symptoms.
With or without symptoms, STIs can cause serious health problems if left untreated. It’s important to detect STIs early so you can be treated sooner. Early detection and early treatment result in better outcomes, and there is only one way to know for sure if you have an STI: get tested.
5) Can you get STIs without sex?
Sexual intercourse is the primary way to transmit STIs, but other forms of sexual or intimate contact also carry risk. For example, some STIs like gonorrhea and herpes can be transmitted easily through oral sex, and it’s even possible for some STIs (e.g., syphilis, herpes, HPV) to be transmitted through kissing, though this is not very common.
6) Is it possible to get an STI more than once?
Being infected with an STI once does not protect you from reinfection, meaning you can be infected with the same STI more than once.
Some causes for reinfection include stopping your treatment earlier than prescribed or having sexual contact with an infected partner. When undergoing treatment for an STI, it’s important to communicate with your partner(s) so they can also seek testing and treatment, reducing your risk of reinfection and also helping to maintain their health.
Screen for three common STIs with Labcorp OnDemand
It’s easier than ever to get your health questions answered with Labcorp OnDemand. Our three-in-one test can help you easily and discreetly test for chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis.
