DID YOU KNOW…

• There are 27 different STIs with various types of each. 1

• HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) is the most common STI (instances) in the United States. 2

• 1 in 4 people under the age of 25 will be infected with anSTI. 3

• Less than half of high school students are sexually active. 4

• You can potentially get syphilis, herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia and possibly HIV through oral sex. 5

• You can even get some of the most common STIs from genital touching. 6

• Condoms only significantly reduce your risk from some of the STIs.  But for condoms to be effective they have to be used 100% of the time and 100% correctly. 7

What is your sexual exposure risk?

*This chart assumes that your partner has had the same number of sexual partners as you have.  These numbers are for estimation purposes only.  You can find the formula used for this chart here.  

The Simple Facts about STIs:

Human Papilloma Virus/ Genital Warts

• About 79 million Americans are currently infected with HPV. About 14 million people become newly infected each year. HPV is so common that most sexually-active men and women will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives.. 8
• Certain HPV strains can cause painless warts on the genital area.
• High-risk HPV types are detected in almost all cervical cancers; approximately 70% of cervical cancers worldwide are due to types 16 and 18.
• Studies have shown that more than 90% of new HPV infections, including those with high-risk types, clear or become undetectable within two years, and clearance usually occurs in the first 6 months after infection. 
• Two HPV vaccines are licensed in the US: a quadrivalent vaccine (HPV4; Gardasil, Merck and Co, Inc.) and a bivalent vaccine (HPV2; Cervarix, GlaxoSmithKline).
• HPV is highly contagious and is spread by SEXUAL CONTACT (vaginal/oral/anal sex and genital touching).9

Herpes Simplex II

• About 1in 6 people aged 14 to 49 years have genital herpes.. 10
• Herpes symptoms can include (but not limited to) painful blisters on the genital area.
• Oral herpes can be spread to the genital area and visa versa.
• Herpes can be spread even when there are no symptoms present.
• There is NO cure for herpes. Once infected, people remain infected for life. 
• Herpes is highly contagious and is spread by SEXUAL CONTACT.  (vaginal/oral/anal sex and genital touching) 11

Syphilis

• Syphilis is divided into stages (primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary), with different signs and symptoms associated with each stage.
•  Syphilis symptoms can include (but not limited to) a skin rash, sore throat, headache and fever.
• Untreated syphilis (tertiary stage) can damage major body organs.
• Syphilis can be cured with the right antibiotics from your health care provider. However, treatment might not undo any damage that the infection has already done. 
• Syphilis is spread by SEXUAL CONTACT. (vaginal /oral/ anal sex and genital touching) 12

Chlamydia

• Chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial STI.
• Almost two-thirds of new chlamydia infections occur among youth aged 15-24 years.
• Chlamydia symptoms can include (but not limited to) genital discharge or burning sensation when urinating.
• Untreated chlamydia can turn into PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease), which in some cases can lead to infertility.
• Chlamydia is spread through SEXUAL ACTIVITY. (penis/vaginal/oral/anal sex) 13

Gonorrhea

• Teenagers have one of the highest reported rates of infection.
• Most people infected with gonorrhea have no symptoms but when symptoms are present can include (but not limited to):
  • Men - When present, signs and symptoms of urethral infection in men include dysuria or a white, yellow, or green urethral discharge that usually appears one to fourteen days after infection 5. In cases where urethral infection is complicated by epididymitis, men with gonorrhea may also complain of testicular or scrotal pain.
  • Women - Even when a woman has symptoms, they are often so mild and nonspecific that they are mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. The initial symptoms and signs in women include dysuria, increased vaginal discharge, or vaginal bleeding between periods. Women with gonorrhea are at risk of developing serious complications from the infection, regardless of the presence or severity of symptoms.
  • There are some long term affects for those who are untreated:
    • Women - PID which can also lead to infertility
    • Both - Can spread to the blood or joints which can be life threatening. 14
• Gonorrhea is spread by SEXUAL ACTIVITY (vaginal/oral/anal sex)
• Gonorrhea is treatable however, Neisseria (N.) gonorrhoeae, the bacteria that cause the STD gonorrhea, has developed resistance to nearly all of the antibiotics used for gonorrhea treatment. 15

HIV

• HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) leads to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)
• HIV is treatable but not curable and will eventually lead to AIDS. 16
• HIV is transmitted by:
  • Having anal, vaginal or oral sex with someone infected with HIV.  
  • Sharing needles and syringes for drug or steroid use.
  • A fetus being exposed during birthing process or breastfeeding. 17
• Over a million Americans are living with HIV today. 18

Hepatitis

• Hepatitis is a viral STI that affects the liver. 19
• It is transmitted through blood and body fluids by:
  • Having anal, vaginal, or oral sex.
  • Injection drug use that involves sharing needles, syringes, or drug-preparation equipment. 20
  • There is treatment available. 21

Bacterial Vaginosis

• A condition in women where there is an imbalance of bacteria in the vagina.
• Any woman can get BV even those who have never had sex.  But there are some risk factors:
  • Having multiple sex partners
  • Douching
• Symptoms can include (but not limited to) a vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor.
• BV is treatable with doctor prescribed antibiotics. 22

Trichomoniasis

• This is the most common curable STI in young sexually active women.
• Trichomaniasis is a parasite that is transmitted through sexual activity.
• There are generally few symptoms but possible symptoms can include (but not limited to):
  • Men - irritation inside the penis, mild discharge, or burning while urinating.
  • Women - frothy yellow/green discharge, discomfort during intercourse and irritation of the genital area.
• Trichomoniasis can be treated with medication (either metronidazole or tinidazole). 23

*180 Degree's goal is to offer complete and medically accurate information to all our audiences.  Therefore, please refer to the footnotes for biographical information.  There is further research and data available upon request.