Know What Not to Get

The most common bacterial STD that can affect anyone who has unprotected anal, oral, or vaginal sex with someone who already has chlamydia.

Usually, there are no symptoms, meaning that most people don’t know that they have chlamydia until they get tested. Some people may experience discharge, lower stomach pain, or pain during intercourse.

A doctor can test for chlamydia by taking a urine sample or swab of the genitals. Anyone who is sexually active should get tested for STDs regularly.

Chlamydia can be cured with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor. It is important to take these medications because untreated chlamydia may cause harmful long-term effects. Anyone who tests positive for chlamydia should tell their partner to get tested and treated too. Even after someone is cured from chlamydia, they can get infected again by having sex with someone who has chlamydia.

Choosing not to have anal, oral, or vaginal sex is only certain way to prevent STDs and pregnancy. For sexually active people, condoms are the best method that protect against chlamydia.

A common bacterial STD that can affect anyone who has unprotected anal, oral, or vaginal sex with someone who already has gonorrhea.

Usually, there are no symptoms, meaning that most people don’t know that they have gonorrhea until they get tested. Some people may experience discharge, lower stomach pain, pain during intercourse, or anything else out of the ordinary.

A doctor can test for gonorrhea by taking a urine sample or swab of the genitals. Anyone who is sexually active should get tested for STDs regularly.

Gonorrhea can be cured with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor. It is important to take these medications because untreated gonorrhea may cause harmful long-term effects. Anyone who tests positive for gonorrhea should tell their partner to get tested and treated too. Even after someone is cured from gonorrhea, they can get infected again by having sex with someone who has gonorrhea.

Choosing not to have anal, oral, or vaginal sex is only certain way to prevent STDs and pregnancy. For sexually active people, condoms are the best method that protect against gonorrhea.

A very common infection caused by a parasite that can affect anyone who has unprotected anal, oral, or vaginal sex with someone who already has trichomoniasis.

Usually, there are no symptoms, meaning that most people don’t know that they have trichomoniasis until they get tested. Some people may experience irritation, discharge, or anything else out of the ordinary.

A doctor can test for trichomoniasis by taking a swab of the genitals and looking at the sample under a microscope.

Trichomoniasis can be cured with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor. It is important to take these medications because untreated trichomoniasis may cause harmful long-term effects. Anyone who tests positive for trichomoniasis should tell their partner to get tested and treated too. Even after someone is cured from trichomoniasis, they can get infected again by having sex with someone who has trichomoniasis.

Choosing not to have anal, oral, or vaginal sex is only certain way to prevent STDs and pregnancy. For sexually active people, condoms are the best method that protect against trichomoniasis.

A very common viral infection that can affect anyone whose skin comes in contact with the infected area of another person with HPV.

There are no symptoms for HPV and most people don’t know they are infected with the virus.

A doctor can test for HPV in women by taking a swab of the cervix in the vagina, called a Pap test. Women should start having this test at 21. There is no HPV test for men.

There are many types of HPV and most infections go away on their own without causing any health issues. If a Pap test does not look normal, the doctor will follow up and continue to monitor the virus. Some types of HPV can lead to genital warts or certain cancers.

Choosing not to have anal, oral, or vaginal sex is only certain way to prevent STDs and pregnancy. For sexually active people, the HPV vaccine (for boys and girls) and condoms are the best methods that protect against HPV. However, parts of the body that are not covered by a condom can still come in contact with infected areas.

The most common viral infection that can affect anyone whose skin comes in contact with the infected area of another person with Herpes. There are two types of Herpes, Type 1 and Type 2.

Some people may experience cold sores or fever blisters on or near the mouth. Others may experience lesions, irritation, or pain  in the genital area. These are called outbreaks. Symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks and they may or may not show up again. Sometimes, it can take years for someone to notice the first outbreak after they are exposed to the Herpes virus or an outbreak may never appear. Even when symptoms are not visible, the virus can still be transmitted.

A doctor can test for Herpes by taking a swab of the genital lesion or by taking a blood sample.

Herpes can be treated with antiviral medications prescribed by a doctor. However, the virus will never leave your body but these medications can help treat current outbreaks and prevent future ones. Taking the medication daily and avoiding sexual contact during outbreaks can help prevent transmission between partners. Although the herpes virus never goes away, people with herpes live long, healthy lives.

Choosing not to have anal, oral, or vaginal sex is only certain way to prevent STDs and pregnancy. For sexually active people, condoms are the best method that protect against Herpes. However, parts of the body that are not covered by a condom can still come in contact with infected areas.

First, it’s important to know that HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is very treatable today and people can live long, full lives when treated. Testing is your first step to prevention. HIV can lead to AIDS.

HIV damages the immune system and interferes with the body’s ability to fight infection and disease. HIV can be spread through contact with infected blood, semen, or vaginal fluids.

People with HIV may have symptoms in the very beginning of their infection, like swollen glands, fever, headaches, and muscle soreness. Within days or weeks of exposure to the virus, a person may notice flu-like symptoms, a rash, and fatigue.

Nearly 40% of new HIV infections are transmitted by people who don’t know they have the virus. For people with undiagnosed HIV, testing is the first step in maintaining a healthy life and preventing HIV transmission. CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care. For people with certain risk factors, CDC recommends getting tested at least once a year.

HIV-Self Test Kits are available. HIV self-testing empowers people to find out their HIV status wherever and whenever they want with results in 20 minutes. The fear of stigma deters many people from accessing HIV testing services. HIV self-testing gives people the freedom to test anonymously, confidentially and privately. Testing is the first step. Click here to get started.  You can also check out GCAPP’s HIV Resource Guide here to find free or low cost testing sites and treatments center throughout Georgia. You may also find low cost or free services at your local health department.

If you have HIV meds taken properly are highly effective allowing people to live long and full lives. Testing is key.

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is medicine that reduces your chances of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV.

Paying for PrEP

Most insurance plans and state Medicaid programs cover PrEP. Under the Affordable Care Act, PrEP must be free under almost all health insurance plans. That means you can’t be charged for your PrEP medication or the clinic visits and lab tests you need to maintain your prescription.

If you don’t have insurance or Medicaid coverage, there are other programs that provide PrEP for free or at a reduced cost:

• Ready, Set, PrEP makes PrEP medication available at no cost to those who qualify.
• Co-pay assistance programs help lower the costs of PrEP medications. Income is not a factor in eligibility.
• ViiVConnect offers a program to help pay for PrEP shots.
• Some states have PrEP assistance programs. Some programs cover PrEP medication, while others cover clinical visits and lab tests. Some programs cover both.

For sexually active people, condoms are the best methods that protect against HIV through sexual contact. Here is a 5 minute video that provides a wealth of information about HIV, prevention, treatment and protection.

A bacterial STD that can affect anyone who has unprotected anal, oral, or vaginal sex with someone who already has syphilis.

Some people may experience cold sores or fever blisters on or near the mouth. Others may experience lesions, irritation, or pain  in the genital area. These are called outbreaks. Symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks and they may or may not show up again. Sometimes, it can take years for someone to notice the first outbreak after they are exposed to the Herpes virus or an outbreak may never appear. Even when symptoms are not visible, the virus can still be transmitted.

A doctor can test for syphilis by taking a blood sample or swab of the sore. Anyone who is sexually active should get tested for STDs regularly.

Syphilis can be cured with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor. It is important to take these medications because untreated syphilis may cause harmful long-term effects to the nervous system, heart, brain, and other organs. If not treated early, these health issues cannot be reversed. even with medication. Anyone who tests positive for syphilis should tell their partner to get tested and treated too. Even after someone is cured from syphilis, they can get infected again by having sex with someone who has syphilis.

Choosing not to have anal, oral, or vaginal sex is only certain way to prevent STDs and pregnancy. For sexually active people, condoms are the best method that protect against syphilis.