What are STIs? Have I had one?

What are STIs? Have I had one?

Written by @zillennial.byjazmine 

As a person with a vagina, I’ve had my fair share of BV infections and yeast infections. When I first found out I had BV (bacterial vaginosis), I did freak out as it was also my first time at a gyno clinic, and I had no prior knowledge about BV. I've seen the commercials on test infection treatments, and my mother had told me, which later on I learned was not true, That yeast infections came from having sex. The sex talk never happened in my household. It was just the plain, “Don’t do it, Don’t get pregnant young,” same ‘ol same ‘ol.  After getting told I had BV, I left the campus health center and wanted to yell and scream at my boyfriend at the time. I instantly thought, “he’s cheating,” which later turned out to be true, but that’s a different story/time before I read more into what causes BV, which is just when there are too much bad bacteria in the vagina; BV is not an STI, but it can lead to Chlamydia which is an STI, this led me to google what are some STIs;

So what are STIs? 

 First left define STI, 

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Here is a list of STIs

•  Human papillomavirus infection
•  Genital herpes 
•  Chlamydia
•  Gonorrhea
•  HIV/AIDS
•  Syphilis

Each STI has its treatments, but not all can be cured.

HPI (human papillomavirus infection)

•  Treatment depends on the stage: The virus is not cured, and warts may go away alone. The treatment focuses on removing warts. A vaccine that prevents HPV, stairs most likely to cause genital warts, and cervical cancer, is recommended for boys and girls. 
•  The HPV shot is given 3 times. I received my HPV shot, from what I remember, at the age of 15. The shot is pretty painful, but it's worth it in my head. 

Genital herpes

•  This STI might be the most common going around. 
•  It causes itchiness and pain; small sores appear first and can form ulcers and scabs.
•  It spreads through sex, even kissing. If you have an open cut and someone who has (non-visible bumps) kisses you.
•  Treatment would be taking an antiviral drug, and this is to manage the outbreaks of the bumps.
•  I suggest checking your sexual partner before having physical contact but make it SEXY, like when going down under, make it a tease, but in reality, you are checking for bumps. WEAR PROTECTION

Chlamydia

•  Is a common STD that can cause infection among both men and women
•  It can have no symptoms, but people may experience pain in the eyes, lower abdomen, pelvis, testicles, or vagina. The pain can happen during sex or when peeing
•  Treatments are antibiotics therapy for the affected patient and the patient’s sexual partners
•  TO KNOW if you have this, a doctor has to diagnose it.

HIV/AIDS

•  damages the immune system and interferes with the body’s ability to fight infection and disease.
•  Spread through contact with infected blood, semen, or viginal fluid
•  Sadly, there is no cure, but there are medications that can control the infection and prevent disease progression… the downside is that this medication will be taken for the rest of your life.
•  When it comes to symptoms, some may get flu-like symptoms 2-4 weeks after getting the virus
•  Untreated HIV turns into AIDS in about 8-10 years
•  WEAR PROTECTION to prevent the spread
•  Be honest with your sexual partners

Syphilis

•  It’s rare 
•  The symptoms develop in stages

      1st: painless sore on the genitals, rectum, or mouth

       2nd: a rash

      3rd: can result in damage to the brain, nerves, eyes, or heart

•  Before the final (3rd) stage, there are no symptoms 
•  It can be treated with penicillin, and the sexual partner should also be treated
•  How does it spread? By having unprotected sex, unclean needles/blood, and by the mother to baby during labor or breastfeeding.

It is hard to know if the person you will/are hooking up with has an STI, so it's always best to USE PROTECTION and have THE conversation with your partner of the night