STISTD Brochure

Ways to protect Testing, Treatment,
against STDs/STIs and Combating

Start With a Conversation Stigma
Before you begin sexual contact with any
partner, it's good practice to discuss sexual Testing
health. It's completely reasonable to ask your Health Services performs STD tests through
partner(s) about the last time they got tested, the Knox County Health Department. They
or if they've been experiencing any worrying collect urine to test for gonorrhea and
symptoms lately. This talk doesn't just have to chlamydia and blood to test for HIV and
The Down
focus on STIs/STDs, you can also ask about syphilis. These tests are free and can be
COVID or any other health concerns. collected on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and
Friday mornings.
Get Tested
It's a good rule of thumb to get tested
between each new partner(s) to ensure that
you're healthy. There are lots of free options
Treatment
Antibiotics are also available at Health
Services, if someone tests positive or has a
and Dirty
for tests that we'll touch on later in the
brochure. If you have a long term partner,
you should still get tested at least once a
known exposure (partner treatment). More
serious treatments or vaccinations can be
acquired at at doctor's office or at Family
About
STIs/STDs
year, because STIs/STDs can be transmitted Planning.
during non-sexual contact as well.
Combating Stigma
Use Protection Stigmas surrounding STI/STD contraction and
Although condoms cannot prevent the spread transmission are a leading cause of Keep yourself and your
of orally transmitted STIs/STDs, they can untreated/undiagnosed STIs/STDs.
greatly reduce the risk of contracting an Untreated STDs can cause cancer, infertility, partner(s) safe.
STI/STD that is spread through vaginal fluid, and in serious cases, death. The sad fact is
semen, or blood. Internal and external that most STDs are curable or treatable when
condoms along with Dental Dams offer caught early on. Contracting an STI is a
protection while having sex. natural part of being sexually active, just like
catching a common cold. When discussing
Listen to Your Body sexual health, try to keep an open mind and
If you feel unwell after having intercourse, shut down stigmas or generalizations when
seek medical help. You can get tested or have you hear them. In this small way, we can
a checkup by a nurse or doctor. Catching combat stigmas and save lives.
STIs/STDs early helps to prevent long term
side effects.
So... What are Common STDs/STIs and their treatments
STDs and STIs? Chlamydia - a bacterial infection that can be treated with antibiotics. In people with
penises it can cause burning when you urinate and infection of the long, tightly coiled tube
that lies behind each testicle and collects sperm (epididymis). In people with vaginas it can
STIs and STDs are contracted in the same cause infection of the cervix and pelvis.
way, however they are significantly
different. Genital Herpes - spread through sexual contact. They can cause skin blisters and sores in
genital areas. Some people may have only a single outbreak of herpes. Other people will
STI - a sexually transmitted infection. This have repeated outbreaks.
term is used to reference when the possible
pathogen has been initially transferred into HPV- skin growths on or around the genitals or anus. They are caused by a virus that's
the host. spread by sexual contact. Genital warts may continue to grow and spread, or they may go
away with or without treatment. They often come back after treatment.
STD - a sexually transmitted disease,
occurs as a result of the initial STI. Gonorrhea - a bacterial infection spread through sexual contact. It is commonly found in
However, STIs do not always cause STDs. the genital area, but can also infect other parts of the body like the rectum or throat.
People with penises may experience discharge from the penis and in people with vaginas it
Transmission - STDs and STIs can be can cause a severe pelvic infection. Gonorrhea can also cause a type of arthritis. However,
transmitted through bodily fluid. This it is not always symptomatic.
includes semen, vaginal fluid, blood, or
saliva. Transmission most commonly occurs Hepatitis B - A virus that infects the liver. It spreads through the blood of an infected
during sexual acts, but it's important to note person or through sexual contact with an infected person. Hepatitis B Most adults who get
that some STIs can be transferred during it have it for a short time and then get better. Sometimes the virus causes a long-term
other activities, like sharing a beverage. infection, which can lead to liver damage or liver cancer.
End the Stigma Syphilis - an infection spread through sex. The most common symptom is a painless sore on
Just like the common cold and the stomach the genitals, rectal area, or mouth. Other symptoms may include rash, hair loss, and flu-like
flu, STIs/STDs are a normal risk of sexual symptoms. The infection is still there and can spread if it isn't treated. Antibiotics can treat
intercourse. In fact, the CDC estimates that syphilis and help prevent serious health problems, like problems with the heart or brain.
1 in 5 Americans, at any given time, have an
STD. Most STIs/STDs are easily treatable Trichomoniasis - an infection caused by a parasite which spreads through sexual contact.
once diagnosed. The true danger of People with vagina are more likely to have symptoms than men. The infection can cause a
STIs/STDs is when they go untreated, and discharge from the vagina that smells bad.
this unfortunately happens a lot due to The infection can be treated with antibiotics.
negative stigma around getting testing or
treatment. HIV - is a sexually contracted virus which can lead to AIDS. Having other STIs can also
increase your chances of contracting HIV.

STISTD Brochure

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

STISTD Brochure

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

STISTD Brochure

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Ways to protect Testing, Treatment,

against STDs/STIs and Combating

You might also like

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.