Sexually transmitted diseases (also known as STDs — or STIs for “sexually transmitted infections”) are infectious diseases that spread from person to person through intimate contact. STDs can affect guys and girls of all ages and backgrounds who are having sex — it doesn’t matter if they’re rich or poor.
Unfortunately, STDs have become common among teens. Because teens are more at risk for getting some STDs, it’s important to learn what you can do to protect yourself.
STDs are more than just an embarrassment. They’re a serious health problem. If untreated, some STDs can cause permanent damage, such as infertility (the inability to have a baby) and even death (in the case of HIV/AIDS).
How STDs Spread
One reason STDs spread is because people think they can only be infected if they have sexual intercourse. That’s wrong. A person can get some STDs, like herpes or genital warts, through skin-to-skin contact with an infected area or sore.
Another myth about STDs is that you can’t get them if you have oral or anal sex. That’s also wrong because the viruses or bacteria that cause STDs can enter the body through tiny cuts or tears in the mouth and anus, as well as the genitals.
STDs also spread easily because you can’t tell whether someone has an infection. In fact, some people with STDs don’t even know that they have them. These people are in danger of passing an infection on to their sex partners without even realizing it.
Some of the things that increase a person’s chances of getting an STD are:
- Sexual activity at a young age. The younger a person starts having sex, the greater his or her chances of becoming infected with an STD.
- Lots of sex partners. People who have sexual contact — not just intercourse, but any form of intimate activity — with many different partners are more at risk than those who stay with the same partner.
Preventing and Treating STDs
As with many other diseases, prevention is key. It’s much easier to prevent STDs than to treat them. The only way to completely prevent STDs is to abstain from all types of sexual contact.
People who are considering having sex should get regular gynecological or male genital examinations. There are two reasons for this. First, these exams give doctors a chance to teach people about STDs and protecting themselves. And second, regular exams give doctors more opportunities to check for STDs while they’re still in their earliest, most treatable stage.
In order for these exams and visits to the doctor to be helpful, people need to tell their doctors if they are thinking about having sex or if they have already started having sex. This is true for all types of sex — oral, vaginal, and anal. And let the doctor know if you’ve ever had any type of sexual contact, even if it was in the past.
Don’t let embarrassment at the thought of having an STD keep you from seeking medical attention. Waiting to see a doctor may allow a disease to progress and cause more damage. If you think you may have an STD, or if you have had a partner who may have an STD, you should see a doctor right away
Not all infections in the genitals are caused by STDs. Sometimes people can get symptoms that seem very like those of STDs, even though they’ve never had sex. For girls, a yeast infection can easily be confused with an STD. Guys may worry about bumps on the penis that turn out to be pimples or irritated hair follicles. That’s why it’s important to see a doctor if you ever have questions about your sexual health.
How does a doctor test to see if you have STDs?
- Perry*
There are different tests for different STDs. The kind of test someone gets depends on the type of STD, symptoms (like sores, discharge, or pain), and the person’s medical and sexual history.
STD testing starts with a physical exam. A doctor or nurse practitioner will ask questions about health, including sex, then examine the person’s genitals. For girls, this may include a pelvic exam.
Based on what’s learned from the interview and exam, the doctor or NP may take one or more of these samples:
- a blood sample (from either a blood draw or a finger prick)
- a urine sample
- a swab of the inside of the mouth
- a swab from the genitals, such as the urethra in guys or the cervix in girls
- a swab of any discharge or sores
Sometimes, the sample can be tested right there in the health provider’s office. Other times, the sample is sent to a lab and the results come later. It depends on the office and the type of infection doctors are testing for.
STDs can be sneaky. Often there are no signs that a person has one. That’s not necessarily a good thing. These “hidden” STDs can still put people at risk for health problems. Anyone who is having sex (or has had sex in the past) needs to get tested.
Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: June 2010
©kidshealth.org
If you think you may have an STD or are at risk of having an STD, we can refer you to a local physician or STD testing clinic.
