Sexually Transmitted Infections

sexually transmitted infections

Getting a Sexually Transmitted Infection may seem like a big deal, but in reality it doesn't have to be. Below there is information about different STI's, their symptoms and treatments, and where someone can go to get tested and get treatment.

Different sti's, symptoms, and treatments

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is one of the most common STI's. It is spread through vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Most people who have chlamydia don't show any symptoms, so it's important to be tested after unprotected consensual sex or an assault. Chlamydia can be easily cured with antibiotics, but it is easier to treat the faster it is found. If untreated, it can lead to complications in the future. The test for chlamydia is a simple urine test.

Genital warts

Genital warts are common, and caused by some types of HPV. They show up around the genital or anus area and are contracted from skin-to-skin contact, usually during unprotected consensual sex or an assault. Genital warts look like little bunches of cauliflower. They are usually not painful, but sometimes itchy. Genital warts can sometimes go away on their own, but a doctor may recommend different treatment, which can involve chemical treatment, topical cream, cryotherapy, removing the warts with electrical current, or removing the warts with a knife. Genital warts may come back as long as someone has the virus that causes it.

gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is very common. It is spread through semen, pre-cum, or vaginal fluids, and usually spread from unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Most people who have gonorrhea don't show any symptoms, so it's important to be tested after unprotected consensual sex or an assault. Gonorrhea can be easily cured with antibiotics, but it is easier to treat the faster it is found. If untreated, it can lead to complications in the future. The test for gonorrhea is a simple urine test.

hepatitis b

Hepatitis B is an infection that can cause liver disease. It is spread through contact with semen, vaginal fluids, and blood. This means it can be spread through non-sexual activities, such as sharing a toothbrush or a razor with blood on it. Hepatitis B often doesn't show any symptoms, and when they do they usually feel like flu symptoms. This is why it is important to be tested after unprotected consensual sex or an assault. There is no cure for Hepatitis B, but it usually goes away on it's own, and there are medications to help treat it. The test for Hepatitis B is a blood test. There is a vaccine for Hepatitis B, which is routine for babies born after 1991.

herpes

Herpes is common and spread through skin-to-skin contact with infected areas. This means someone can get herpes during unprotected oral, anal, vaginal sex or kissing. Herpes results in outbreaks of itchy, painful blisters. Many people don't notice the blisters or think they're something else, so it's important to get tested after unprotected consensual sex, kissing, or an assault. Herpes is not curable and stays in the body for life, but it is very manageable. Herpes can be treated through medication and care of the infected areas. Herpes tests include taking a sample from the infected area or a blood test.

Hiv and aids

HIV is a virus that can lead to AIDS. HIV breaks down parts of someone's immune system, which means their body has a hard time fighting off illness or infection. HIV is spread through contact with semen, vaginal fluids, anal mucus, blood, and breast milk. It can be spread through unprotected consensual sex, assault, or any exchange of the above fluids, such as sharing needles or getting HIV-infected fluids into an open cut or sore. It sometimes takes a very long time for HIV to show any symptoms, which is why it's important to get tested after unprotected consensual sex or assault or any activity with an exchange of the above fluids. There is no cure for HIV, but it can be treated with medication. This treatment can delay or prevent AIDS.

AIDS is caused by HIV and usually presents about 10 years after a person contracts HIV. AIDS has many symptoms, which can include thrush, yeast infections, headaches, weight loss, easy bruising, diarrhea, fevers, purple growths on the skin or mouths, bleeding from mouth, nose, vagina, or anus, rashes, loss of muscle control, and more.

HIV tests are usually a cheek swab or blood test. There are also at-home tests for HIV that can be purchased. HIV can be treated with medication, which can reduce the HIV present in the body and lower the chances of spreading HIV to someone else. It is very possible to live a happy and healthy life with HIV, and to have romantic and sexual relationships with HIV.

HPV

HPV is the most common STI. There are over 200 kinds of HPV, 40 of which affect the genital area. HPV is spread from skin-to-skin contact, when someone's vulva, vagina, cervix, penis, or anus touches someone else's genitals, mouth, or throat. Most people who have sex will get HPV at some point in their sexual lives, and it usually has no symptoms and goes away on its own. Some types of HPV can cause cancer, though, so it's important to be vigilant about pap smears or other preventative care. HPV does have a vaccine that can prevent HPV contraction. Since HPV is so common and usually goes away on its own, people often don't realize they have it unless they get an abnormal Pap Smear result. In some situations, a doctor may decide to do a cervical HPV test. There is currently no test for HPV for people with penises, so it's important to be vigilant about checkups and using protection during consensual sex.

pubic lice

Pubic lice, also known as crabs, is very common. It is spread when the lice in one person's pubic hairs spreads to another person's pubic hairs, so it usually spreads during sex. Pubic lice look like little crabs, and they live in a person's pubic hairs and feed off of their blood. They usually cause intense itching, but no other serious health problems. They are easily treated with over-the-counter gels, shampoos, or creams that can be purchased at the drugstore.

Scabies

Scabies are caused by tiny parasites that are spread through skin-to-skin contact. Scabies mites burrow under a person's skin and lay eggs. This leads to intense itching. Scabies are caused through direct skin-to-skin touching, usually during sex. Scabies are easily cured through prescription medication or creams.

syphilis

Syphilis is a very common STI. It is spread through vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Syphilis causes sores, and syphilis is spread through contact with a sore. A lot of people don't notice the sores and feel fine, so it is important to get tested after unprotected consensual sex or an assault. Syphilis causes sores on the genital area of the infected person. If left untreated, syphilis can lead to more serious health complications such as rashes, tumors, blindness, paralysis, nervous system damage, and organ damage. Syphilis can be fatal if not treated. Syphilis is easily treated, however, with antibiotics. The test for syphilis is a simple blood test.

where to seek testing or treatment

Student health center

The Student Health Center provides services to UWL or WTC students. The Student Health Center provides chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV testing. The chlamydia and gonorrhea tests cost $5.00 (total) and the HIV test costs $14.00. Appointments can be made by calling (608)-785-8558.

The Student Health Center is located at:

1300 Badger Street

La Crosse, WI 54601

Planned parenthood of la crosse

Planned Parenthood of La Crosse offers HIV and STD testing. These services are completed at a low cost (payment depends on individual cases and insurance). Appointments can be made online or by calling (800)-657-5177.

Planned Parenthood of La Crosse is located at:

1210 Caledonia Street

La Crosse, WI 54601

primary care physician/gynecologist

Primary Care Physicians and Gynecologists should be able to help their patient's with STI testing.

Sources:

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex

https://www.uwlax.edu/student-health-center/

Additional Resources:

Planned Parenthood
- Planned Parenthood's website contains more specific information about STI's. The information on this webpage is just a summary and overview, so other resources should be referenced for more in-depth information.
Student Health Center
- The Student Health Center's webpage contains more information regarding tests and symptoms for specific STI's.