Information About STDs
Anyone sexually active or considering sexual activity should familiarize themselves with facts about STDs, how to get tested, how and where to get treated, and how to protect and prevent STDs. Sexually Transmitted Diseases are common, and many are treatable. Understanding more about STDs is essential. Over the past five years, Georgians ranked 5th out of all state residents searching for STD-related information (GoogleTrends, 2024). Learning more about how STDs could impact you is an essential aspect of sexual health. This page provides STD facts, details about what to look for, and how to prevent and protect yourself from STDs in the future.
What is an STD?
An STD (sexually transmitted disease) is an infection that can be passed through sex or sexual contact.
STDs include:
- Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
- Chlamydia
- Genital Herpes
- Gonorrhea
- Human Papillomavirus Infection (HPV Infection)
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
- Syphilis
- Trichomoniasis
- HIV/AIDS
- Hepatitis B and C
STDs are Serious:
- Some STDs infect only your sexual and reproductive organs. Others (HIV, hepatitis B, syphilis) cause general body infections.
- Sometimes you can have an STD with no signs or symptoms. Or the symptoms may go away. Either way, you still have the STD until you get treated.
How an STD is spread:
- STD is spread during vaginal, anal and oral sex, and sometimes by genital touching.
- Some STDs (HIV and hepatitis B) are also spread by contact with infected blood.
- STD germs need to live in warm, moist areas. That’s why they infect the mouth, rectum and sex organs (vagina, vulva, penis and testes).
What Should I Do?
Get Checked:
- Don’t just hope the STD will go away. It won’t!
- Most county health departments have special STD clinics. Private health care providers also treat STD.
- If you don’t know where to get help, call your local family planning clinic for information. Your case will be kept private.
- You may feel embarrassed about having an STD. It may be hard for you to go to a provider or clinic for help. But you must get treatment for the STD. This is the only way you will get well.
Get Treated:
- Many STDs can be cured. Others cannot be cured. But all STDs can and must be treated.
- Many STDs can be treated with antibiotics. Do exactly what your provider tells you. Be sure to use all of your medicine.
- You also must tell your sexual partner(s). If they aren’t treated, they can get sick. They can spread the STD. They might even give it to you again!
How to Protect Yourself
Stay Safe:
Not having sex is the best way to protect yourself from STD. Having sex with only one uninfected partner who only has sex with you is also safe.
If You Have Sex:
- Use latex condoms with a water-based lubricant every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex. Condoms will protect you from STD much of the time.
- Use plastic (polyurethane) condoms if you’re allergic to latex. These come in both male and female styles.
- Talk to your partner about past sex partners and about needle drug use. Don’t have sex with someone who you think may have an STD.
- Look closely at your Partner for any signs of STD- a rash, a sore or discharge. If you see anything you’re worried about don’t have sex.
Take Action:
- Get checked for STD regularly. Ask your health care provider to help you decide how often and which tests you should have.
- Vaccines can help protect you against hepatitis B and some types of HPV. Ask your provider if they’re right for you.
- Know the signs and symptoms of STD. If you notice a symptom that worries you, get checked!
If You Have an STD:
- Tell your sex partner(s). Your partner must get tested and treated too. Otherwise, he or she could give the STD to someone else or back to you.
- Wait to have sex. Ask your provider how long after treatment you must wait.
I Tested Positive for an STD, What Should I Do?
Testing positive for an STD can be scary but it doesn’t mean the end of the world. If you’ve just found out that you tested positive you may be trying to figure out what to do next. Here are the three most important steps. Click Here
DOs and DON’Ts of Condoms
DOS OF CONDOMS
- DO use a condom every time you have sex, even if you are using another form of contraceptive.
- DO read the package and check the expiration date.
- DO have an open dialogue with your partner(s) before engaging in sexual activity.
- DO make sure there are no tears or defects.
- DO store condoms in a cool, dry place.
- DO use latex or polyurethane condoms.
- DO use a water-based or silicone-based lubricant to prevent breakage.
- DO put a new condom on each time you switch between oral, vaginal, and anal sex.
- DO use condoms on sex toys and change them, especially if you’re sharing a toy
DON’TS OF CONDOMS
- DON’T be afraid to talk to your partner(s) about contraceptives.
- DON’T store condoms in hot places like your car or wallet.
- DON’T use nonoxynol-9 (a spermicide), as this can cause irritation.
- DON’T use oil-based products like baby oil, lotion, petroleum jelly, or cooking oil because they will cause the condom to break.
- DON’T use more than one condom at a time.
- DON’T reuse a condom.
- DON’T use a condom that is torn or outdated.
- DON’T flush used condoms down the toilet.
STD Prevention for Adolescents
parents
When Should I Talk to My Kids About STDs?
Talking about STDs and other personal subjects like sex and puberty shouldn’t be one big talk at a particular age. Instead, start the conversation early, and slowly build on your child’s understanding. By about 10–13 years old, most kids understand what sex is and are ready to learn about STDs.
But even if your child is older and you haven’t started talking about STDs, it’s not too late to have the conversation. A late talk is better than no talk at all.
Does Talking About Sex and STDs Make Teens More Likely to Have Sex?
Talking to kids and teens about sex and STDs does not make it more likely that they’ll have sex. But if they become sexually active, they will understand the risks and know how to protect themselves.
How Do I Bring Up the Subject of STDs?
Sometimes it can be hard to find the right time to talk about STDs. A good time to start the conversation might be:
- if your child asks questions about sex
- during a TV show or movie that shows a romantic relationship. You might ask, “What sorts of things do people in a relationship need to think about?”
- when your child gets the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. You could say, “This shot protects you from a type of STD. Do you know what an STD is?”
What if I Have Trouble Talking to My Kids About STDs?
If you don’t feel comfortable talking with your kids about STDs, make sure they can turn to someone else for accurate information. This could be a doctor or nurse practitioner, counselor, school nurse, teacher, or a trusted family member. Kids and teens need to know about STDs. It’s best if they get the facts from someone reliable.
What Should I Talk About?
Talk about these types of STDs (Click Here)
Adolescents
How Are STDs Spread?
You can get an STD by having sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) with someone who has an STD. Anyone sexually active can get an STD. You don’t even have to “go all the way” (have anal or vaginal sex) to get an STD since some STDs, like herpes and HPV, are spread by skin-to-skin contact.
How Common Are STDs For Adolescents?
STDs are common, especially among young people. There are about 20 million new cases of STDs each year in the United States, and almost half of these are in people between the ages of 15 and 24. Young people are at greater risk of getting an STD for several reasons:
- Young women’s bodies are biologically more susceptible to STDs.
- Some young people do not get the recommended STD tests.
- Many young people hesitate to talk openly and honestly with a doctor or nurse about their sex lives.
- Not having insurance or transportation can make it more difficult for young people to access STD testing.
- Some young people have more than one sex partner.
What Can I Do To Protect Myself?
The surest way to protect yourself against STDs is not to have sex. That means not having any vaginal, anal, or oral sex (“abstinence”). There are many things to consider before having sex, and it’s okay to say “no” if you don’t want to have sex.
If you decide to have sex, you and your partner should get tested beforehand and make sure that you and your partner use a condom—every time you have oral, anal, or vaginal sex, from start to finish. Know where to get condoms and how to use them correctly. It is not safe to stop using condoms unless you’ve both been tested, know your status, and are in a mutually monogamous relationship.
If I Get An STD, How Will I Know?
Many STDs don’t cause any symptoms that you would notice, so the only way to know if you have an STD is to get tested. You can get an STD from having sex with someone who has no symptoms. Just like you, that person might not even know he or she has an STD.
Where can I get tested?
Locate STD testing near you by accessing using the provider locator Click Here
Can STDs Be Treated?
Your doctor can prescribe medicines to cure some STDs, like chlamydia and gonorrhea. Like herpes, other STDs can’t be cured, but you can take medication to help with the symptoms. If you are in treatment for an STD, be sure to finish all of your medicine, even if you feel better before you finish it all. Ask the doctor or nurse about testing and treatment for your partner, too. You and your partner should avoid having sex until you’ve both cured. Otherwise, you may continue to pass the STD back and forth. It is possible to get an STD again (after you’ve cured) if you have sex with someone who has an STD.
What Happens If I Don’t Get Treated For An STD?
Some curable STDs can be dangerous if they aren’t treated. For example, if left untreated, chlamydia and gonorrhea can make it difficult—or even impossible—for a woman to get pregnant. You also increase your chances of getting HIV if you have an untreated STD. Some STDs, like HIV, can be fatal if left untreated
STD Prevention for Pregnant Womens
STDs can complicate pregnancy and have severe consequences for a woman and her developing baby. If you are pregnant, you can become infected with the same sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) as women who are not pregnant. Pregnant women should ask their doctors about getting tested for STDs and more specifically, testing for syphilis. In Georgia over the last five years, there has been a rise in syphilis cases among women. For more information please contact your local health department. Providers download our latest CS palm card for more information 
Click Here
I’m Pregnant. Can I Get an STD?
Yes, you can. Women who are pregnant can become infected with the same STDs as women who are not pregnant. Pregnancy does not provide women or their babies any additional protection against STDs. Many STDs are ‘silent,’ or have no symptoms, so you may not know if you are infected. If you are pregnant, you should be tested for STDs, including HIV (the virus that causes AIDS), as a part of your medical care during pregnancy.
How Can STDs Affect Me and My Unborn Baby?
STDs can complicate your pregnancy and may have serious effects on both you and your developing baby. Some of these problems may be seen at birth; others may not be discovered until months or years later. In addition, it is well known that infection with an STD can make it easier for a person to get infected with HIV. Most of these problems can be prevented if you receive regular medical care during pregnancy. This includes tests for STDs starting early in pregnancy and repeated close to delivery, as needed.
Testing and treating pregnant women for STDs is a vital way to prevent serious health complications to both mother and baby that may otherwise happen with infection. The sooner you begin receiving medical care during pregnancy, the better the health outcomes will be for you and your unborn baby. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2021 STD Treatment Guidelines recommend screening pregnant women for STDs. The CDC screening recommendations that your health care provider should follow are incorporated into the table on the STDs during Pregnancy – Detailed CDC Fact Sheet.
Can I Get Treated For an STD While I’m Pregnant?
It depends. STDs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis and BV can all be treated and cured with antibiotics that are safe to take during pregnancy. STDs that are caused by viruses, like genital herpes, hepatitis B, or HIV cannot be cured. However, in some cases these infections can be treated with antiviral medications or other preventive measures to reduce the risk of passing the infection to your baby. If you are pregnant or considering pregnancy, you should be tested so you can take steps to protect yourself and your baby.
How Can I Reduce My Risk of Getting an STD While Pregnant?
The only way to avoid STDs is to not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
If you are sexually active, you can do the following things to lower your chances of getting chlamydia:
Being in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and has negative STD test results;
Using latex condoms the right way every time you have sex.
How Can STDs Affect Me After Pregnancy
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are important preventable causes of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility. Untreated, about 10-15% of women with chlamydia will develop PID. Chlamydia can also cause fallopian tube infection without any symptoms. PID and “silent” infection in the upper genital tract may cause permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, uterus, and surrounding tissues, leading to infertility. CDC recommends annual chlamydia and gonorrhea screening of all sexually active women younger than 25 years and older women with risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners or a sex partner who has a sexually transmitted infection.
Testing for HIV
The INSTI HIV Antibody Test detects HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies in blood, serum, or plasma. First, ensure all test components are at room temperature. Collect a sample using a lancet (blood) or pipette (serum/plasma). Place the sample into the test device well. Add the first buffer to aid sample flow, wait a few seconds, then add the second buffer to reveal results. Read results within a minute: one line indicates negative, two lines indicate positive, and no or only a test line indicates invalid. Dispose of used components safely. Positive results should be confirmed with another test.
Information was provided by Georgia Department of Public Health. Looking for Additional CDC Data? CDC Data & Statistics