Disclaimer: If you think you have been exposed to HIV, please talk to a health care provider about PEP as soon as possible (within 72 hours). Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is an emergency Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention method where individuals start a 28-day course medication within 72 hours of HIV exposure in order to prevent an infection….
Category: Sexually Transmitted Infections
Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an HIV prevention method that involves HIV-negative individuals at risk of HIV infection taking a daily medication before being exposed to the virus. “Pre-exposure” means before coming into contact and “prophylaxis” stands for preventative treatment.1 At the time this article was updated, only two medications, under the brand names Truvada® and Descovy®, have been…
Scabies
Classical scabies is a parasitic infection that is caused by the presence of mites on the skin. The microscopic human itch mites burrow shallow tunnels into the upper layer of the skin.1 The human itch mite is an eight-legged bug that is less that 1mm large, and is nearly impossible to view without a microscope.3 The mites…
Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is a bacterial infection in the vagina that occurs when there is an imbalance in the bacteria that are normally present.1 It occurs frequently in women of reproductive age, and is the most common vaginal infection in women aged 15 to 44. BV often recurs in women who get it, with 30%…
How to Tell Your Partner You Have an STI
Many people feel panicked or embarrassed after testing positive for a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Because STIs are a taboo topic in most societies, many people feel alone in their diagnosis. Luckily, as more people become educated about sexual health and as treatments continue to improve, the stigma around having an STI is on the…
Non-Sexual Transmission of STIs
Sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, are conditions typically passed from one person to another through sexual contact.. Despite their name, it is possible to transmit STIs through non-sexual interactions; however, non-sexual transmission of STIs is less common and often treatable. Misunderstanding what constitutes sexual activity, poor hygiene practices, and transmission from a pregnant parent to…
Yeast Infections
A yeast infection is a fungal infection on the skin or any mucous membranes. A yeast infection is caused by the fungus Candida, and thus is also referred to as candidiasis. The most common yeast infection sites are the vagina and vulva (vulvovaginal candidiasis), the nails (onychomycosis), and the mouth and/or throat (oral thrush). 1Although vulvovaginal candidiasis is more common than penile, both…
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus with over 150 strains, also called HPV “types.” More than 40 types of HPV are transmitted sexually, and can infect the genitals as well as the mouth and throat. HPV is currently the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and…
Trachoma
What is Trachoma? Trachoma is an infection of the eyes caused by a cellular microorganism known as Chlamydia trachomatis. The infection is the world’s leading cause of preventable blindness; according to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are 2.2 million people worldwide suffering from vision problems as a result of chronic trachoma, and 1.2 million…