April is STI Awareness Month
This April, in honor of STI Awareness Month, take some time to learn about sexually transmitted infections (STIs)—and how to prevent them and take care of your sexual health.
STDs A to Z
Drug-Resistant Shigellosis Cases Are Rising—What You Need to Know
The bacterial infection can be transmitted sexually and there have been a number of outbreaks among men who have sex with men.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia: Fast Facts Chlamydia is a common and curable infection caused by the bacteria chlamydia trachomatis. It is the most common reportable STI in the U.S. In 2018, there were nearly 1.8 million cases reported. Most females with chlamydia and about half of males do not experience symptoms. Chlamydia can cured with antibiotic treatment, but …
MGen: The STI You’ve (Probably) Never Heard Of
Mgen: The STI You’ve (Probably) Never Heard of First identified in 1981. Thought to be more common than gonorrhea. May increase the risk for contracting HIV, if exposed. It has been associated with urethritis in men and linked to cervicitis and pelvic inflammatory disease in women. In one study of young men and women, it …
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)—Understanding this Common Infection
There are over 100 different types of human papillomavirus, or HPV. Some types of HPV can cause genital warts and other types can cause cancer, including cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis or anus, as well as cancer in the back of the throat.
Trichomoniasis (a.k.a. “Trich)
With roughly two million cases in the U.S., trichomoniasis (“trich”) is the most common STI you’ve never heard of. Learn more about this common STI in our four-part expert series.
Syphilis
Syphilis:Fast Facts Syphilis is a bacterial infection, caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. Syphilis is passed on when infected lesions come in contact with the soft skin of the mucous membrane found inside the vagina, urethra or with an abrasion during vaginal, oral, and anal sex, even if there is no sexual penetration. There are …
NGU
NGU:Fast Facts Nongonococcal urethritis—or NGU—is an infection of the urethra caused by pathogens (germs) other than gonorrhea. Several kinds of germs can cause NGU, like trichomonas vaginalis or mycoplasma genitalium, but the most common cause is chlamydia. There are nonsexual causes for NGU as well, such as a urinary tract infection or catheterization. NGU is …
Molluscum
Molluscum:Fast Facts Molluscum contagiosum is a skin disease caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) It usually causes one or more small lesions/bumps. Molluscum is generally a harmless infection and symptoms may resolve on their own. While once a disease primarily of children, molluscum has evolved to become a sexually transmitted disease in adults. How …
Hepatitis
Hepatitis:Fast Facts Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can be caused by a group of viruses. There are five major types of viral hepatitis: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D, and hepatitis E. Hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are the most common types of viral hepatitis found in the …