What is STD?
STD stands for sexually transmitted disease. They are infections commonly transmitted by an infected person to another either by bodily fluids or close physical contact, depending on the disease.
Are STDs curable?
Some are easily cured if treated early, such as gonorrhea, ‘trich,’ Chlamydia and syphilis. Some may stay with a person for life; such as herpes and HIV.
Should I be checked if I have a sore? What about a rash on my hands—can that be a sexually transmitted infection?
A sore may indicate infection with syphilis or herpes. A rash may indicate infection with syphilis. In both instances, either should be checked by qualified, experienced clinicians. The STD Clinic at the OCCHD provides on-site testing for both of these infections. The Clinic will treat syphilis at the time diagnosis is made. A prescription will be given for the management of herpes infection diagnosed at the Clinic. However, the STD Clinic does not provide a herpes blood test and can only diagnose herpes if a sore is present. Sex should be avoided when there is a sore present.
Could I get an STD if my partner does not have a sore or discharge?
Yes. HIV, hepatitis, and herpes can infect partners without any signs or symptoms. HIV and hepatitis are transmitted by infected bodily fluids. Herpes is transmitted by direct contact with a sore OR contact with skin by someone who has herpes. While syphilis is transmitted by contact with a sore, often the sore is not noticed or is too small to be seen.
Often Chlamydia will have no noticeable discharge, especially in females. Gonorrhea in the throat or rectum often does not have any indications of infection.
Condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can help in stopping transmission of gonorrhea, Chlamydia and HIV. Parts of the body not covered by a condom can be infected with warts (HPV), herpes, or syphilis by direct skin contact.
Is oral sex considered ‘sex’?
Yes. Putting lips or tongue on another person’s penis, vagina or anus is sex and many infections can be transmitted—if one partner has an infection.
Pregnancy. Females are tested for pregnancy at the OCCHD STD Clinic as part of their STD examination.
For more information about pregnancy:
Before Pregnancy – CDC
“Can it be cured?” ”Is it curable?”
Many STDs—Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, ‘trich’ (and NGU) can be cured, if treated early. Some other STDs cannot be cured, but can sometimes be managed, such as HPV, Herpes, and HIV.
“How can I avoid getting an STD?”
Learning as much as possible about ‘sex’ will help. Even then, “things happen.” However, one way to not get an STD is by not having sex; that is, being abstinent.
Another way to reduce the chance of becoming infected with an STD is to be tested—with a prospective partner before having sex.
“My partner ‘burned’ me, what can I do?”
Each person should be responsible for their own health. Some people have more than one partner. Some people have sex with one person, and then have sex with another. Some people have ‘friends with benefits’ and also have sex with other partners. This is probably how more people get infected than any other way; that is, having sex with one person and not getting checked before having sex with someone else.
STD infections also occur when a person’s ‘only’ partner puts them at risk after having sex with an infected person.
Occasionally we hear this question, “There is someone spreading STDs in the neighborhood, what can be done?” Every person should be responsible for their own health. When a person agrees to have sex with someone, they are taking responsibility for their own action.
Taking ‘universal precautions’ might be appropriate—that is, treating everyone like they have something—and taking precautions to reduce or eliminate risk. Precautions would include at least:
- Asking or talking about STDs
- Looking—visibly examining the other person to see if any sore or discharge is present
The risk of transmitting HIV, gonorrhea or Chlamydia might be reduced by correct use of condoms.
Herpes or syphilis could be spread to any area not covered by a condom.
STD infections could be reduced if: Before having sex with a new (or another) partner, a person is tested and treated—if infected.
As mentioned earlier, HIV antibody testing will not show the presence of the HIV in a person’s blood until 6 to 12 weeks after the infection occurred. HIV can be transmitted, however, during this ‘window period,’ the time during which antibodies to the virus cannot be detected. Therefore, HIV cannot be ruled out by a ‘negative’ HIV test, if infection has occurred within the previous 12 weeks.
In addition, some tests are not readily available for all infections. Without a sore being present, herpes can only be diagnosed with a blood test. This blood test is not available at the OCCHD STD Clinic.
HPV—warts, also known as condyloma, are diagnosed by their clinical appearance.
What about hepatitis?
Vaccines are available for both hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Both of these viral infections can be transmitted during ‘sex’ with an infected partner. The OCCHD STD Clinic does not test for hepatitis.
Information on hepatitis C may be found on Medline Plus and the CDC’s website.