What Are STIs?
Sex is normal, healthy and enjoyable. However, it can be risky. One risk is getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). You can get an STI from having sex with someone who is infected. It has nothing to do with age, hygiene, sexual orientation or income.

You've probably heard about HIV and AIDS but there many other serious STIs. They include:

• Chlamydia
• Genital Warts (HPV)
• Hepatitis B
• Gonorrhea
• Genital Herpes
• Syphilis
• Trichomonas
• Crab Lice

You can also get other kinds of infections that may or may not be sexually transmitted such as yeast and bacterial vaginosis (BV). Most STIs can be cured, but some cannot. You can help protect yourself by always practicing safer sex.

How do you get an STI?
STI germs live in blood, semen and vaginal fluids. STIs pass from person to person during any kind of sex: vaginal (penis in vagina), anal (penis in rectum), or oral (mouth to penis or vagina.) Some STIs cause sores and the germs can be spread from touching the sores themselves. Some STIs are spread by sharing needles, or tattooing and body piercing with unsterilized equipment. You cannot get STIs from shaking hands or from toilet seats.

How to know if you have an STI?

It can be hard to know if you or your partner has an STI. Many men and women with STIs don't have any signs or symptoms.

You may have an STI if you have any one of these signs: