An important part of becoming sexually active is learning how to take care of your sexual health. Any unprotected sexual act including vaginal, anal, or oral sex can potentially result in the transmission of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) if one or both sexual partners are infected. Additionally, a pregnant individual can also pass on…
Tag: sexually transmitted diseases
STI Testing
NOTE: The term sexually transmitted infection (STI) is often used interchangeably with sexually transmitted disease (STD); this article will use STI to represent the group of conditions that are traditionally acquired through sexual contact. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major public health concern around the world. In fact, there are more than one million…
HIV/AIDS
HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a sexually transmitted virus that, if left untreated, can progress to AIDS. AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, and is the symptomatic part of this infection. Because HIV is a “retrovirus,” each virus is encased in a protein shell, which allows them to attack and alter cells from the host…
An Overview of STIs
The Basics Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that can be spread through sexual contact such as intercourse, oral sex, kissing, or shared sex toys. Also referred to as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), these conditions are more often asymptomatic than not, which means an infected individual does not show signs of infection. To contract an STI,…
Chancroid
Chancroid is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Haemophilus ducreyi.1 It attacks the tissue and produces ulcers or open sores on or near the genitals (i.e., the penis/testes, labia).1 Although chancroid is highly contagious, it is curable.1 While once prevalent across the globe, recent efforts to improve diagnosis and treatment, along with…