What are STD/STIs?
STD and STI are used interchangeably and overall mean the same thing. STD=sexually transmitted disease, STI=sexually transmitted infection. With an infection you often don’t have symptoms and require testing to determine if you have one.
How do I get a STD/STI?
Vaginal, oral or anal intercourse can lead to infections. Also the touching of genitals without penetration can lead to infections.
What are the most common STD/STIs?
Human papilloma virus (HPV): The most common STI in the United States. It is easily spread by skin to skin contact and sexual activity. There are many strains of HPV. Some strains can cause genital warts, other strains can cause women to develop abnormal pap smears and puts them at risk for cervical cancer. In men HPV infection increases the risk of penile cancer. There is no cure for HPV. A great way to help prevent contracting HPV is to be vaccinated. The vaccine is called Gardasil and is for men (ages 9-21) and women (ages 9-26).
Chlamydia: A bacterial infection that is treated with antibiotics.
Gonorrhea: A bacterial infection that is treated with antibiotics.
Herpes: A viral infection. There is no cure but there are medications available to manage symptoms.
Syphilis: A bacterial infection.
HIV: A viral infection, there is no cure but there are treatments available.
Hepatitis B: A viral infection, there is no cure but treatments are available.
Hepatitis C: A viral infection, there is no cure but treatments are available.
How can I prevent an STI/STD?
Using barrier methods (external or internal condoms) with all sexual encounters. Using a dental dam when performing oral sex (mouth to vagina or anus). Limiting the number of sexual partners.
There are free condoms in HEPs on the 3rd floor of the health network, also in the pharmacy on the 1st floor, in the Women’s and Gender Care Clinic and in the residence halls.
How soon after sex can I be tested for STD/STI?
The two most common STDs, chlamydia and gonorrhea, can be effectively tested for 14 days after sexual contact. If you have sexual contact and get tested less than two weeks afterwards, it is possible that the test will show a positive result, but a negative result isn’t reliable.
If you want to get tested for HIV or for hepatitis, you must wait a longer amount of time before the test will be accurate. Waiting 6 weeks to 3 months is considered a safe amount of time. Syphilis screening can be done 1 week to 3 months after potential exposure.
Who should be tested?
- Generally, anyone who has had sexual contact with another person, regardless of the partner’s gender should be tested for STIs.
- Sexual contact includes genital skin-to-skin contact, intimate body fluid contact, and/or genital, anal, or oral contact.
- Remember that many STIs cause no symptoms, so feeling fine does not mean you are free from STIs. Consistent condom use can decrease the chance of acquiring an STI, but cannot protect completely against all STIs.
How would I know if my partner has an STI?
- You may not know if your partner is infected. Many infections cause no symptoms (your partner(s) may not know that they have an infection either).
- Some common symptoms could include (but are not limited to): pain with urination or frequent urination, pain in the genital area or lower abdomen, unusual vaginal, urethral, or anal discharge, new sores or bumps, or bleeding or pain with intercourse.
What kinds of tests are available from the CSU Health Network?
- At the CSU Health Network, you can be tested for:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Herpes
- Syphilis
- HIV
- HPV
- Hepatitis A, B, and C
- Many other, less common tests can also be arranged
How long will it take to get the test results from the CSU Health Network?
- Some STIs are diagnosed through tests that are sent to an outside lab. Receiving those results may take up to 14 days, depending on the test.
- Test results are sent to you by secure messaging and/or telephone.
What will it cost to be tested?
Is there a way to be tested for all STIs?
- The short answer is “no,” usually not at one visit.
- STIs reveal themselves in different ways and at different times. Some are diagnosed visually, and may not appear for many months.
- The most reliable STI testing will be possible when a person is educated about STIs, acknowledges their own risks, and has ongoing good communication with their health care provider.
Which STIs are curable?
- STIs that are caused by bacteria, such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, are most easily curable.
- Some STIs are caused by viruses. These are not usually curable, but are treatable.
What should I expect at an appointment for testing?
- You will be asked personal questions about your medical and sexual history to help determine your STI risks and concerns.
- STI testing is individualized. Your answers are kept confidential. This information is important because tests are often time sensitive, and are most accurate when done after or within certain time intervals. You can view our CSU Health Network STI Test List, under Laboratory Services, for details.
- With your consent, a physical exam can also be done. For females this will involve a pelvic exam, and for males, most often a brief exam of the genitals.
- Let your provider know if you have symptoms or issues that concern you before he or she does the exam. The physical exam helps diagnose STIs that do not show up on other tests. For females, although a pelvic exam is done, a pap smear is not always done at an appointment to check for STIs. A female may, however, opt to have some STI testing done at the time of a scheduled pap smear.
- You may be asked to leave a urine sample, and/or a culture may be done with a swab, and/or you may also wish to have blood work done.
- There may be brief discussion about how to reduce your risks for STIs.
- There may be some charges for labs or medicines. Your care provider should let you know which services my require additional charges, but be sure to ask if you have questions. CSU Health Network can bill your health insurance company, or you can pay for those services.
