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STIs, Including HIV/AIDS

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• Additional Resources

A sexually transmitted infection, or STI, is an infection passed from person to person through sexual contact. You can get and pass STIs through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. STI rates are very high in the United States, where estimated 19 million new cases of STIs are reported each year. The scary thing about STIs is that men and women who have STIs often have no symptoms. But they can threaten you and your partner(s)' health. HIV is an STI that is particularly harmful—and it has no cure. Nearly 70 percent of people with HIV in the United States are men, and HIV/AIDs is the 7th leading cause of death for black men.

You can take steps to keep from getting an STI:

• Don't have sex. The best way to prevent any STI is to practice abstinence, which means not having vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
• Be faithful. Having sex with one uninfected partner who only has sex with you will keep you safe from STIs.
• Use condoms correctly and EVERY time you have sex. Use male latex condoms, or polyurethane if you or your partner is allergic to latex, for vaginal, anal, or oral sex. “Natural” or lambskin condoms don't protect against STIs. Condoms are highly protective when used correctly. For oral sex, dental dams also might offer some protection .
• Know that certain birth control methods don't protect against STIs. Birth control methods including the pill, shots, implants, IUDs, diaphragms, and spermicides will not protect you from STIs. If your partner uses one of these methods, be sure to also use a latex condom or dental dam (used for oral sex) correctly every time you have sex.
• Talk with your sex partner(s) about STIs and using condoms before having sex. Setting the ground rules about testing and condom use will avoid future misunderstandings. It's up to you to make sure you are protected.
• Get tested. If either you or your partner has had other sexual partners in the past, get tested for STIs before becoming sexually active. If you have an STI, informing all your partner(s) is the only way to stop the STI from getting passed to others or possibly reinfecting you. You can learn more about specific STIs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web site.

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Women and HIV/AIDS — Minority women have a higher risk of getting HIV/AIDS than white women. This web site explains why all women are at risk for HIV/AIDS. It talks about risk factors, prevention, getting tested, and common myths about HIV/AIDS. It also has a section for women living with HIV or AIDS. Women and their families can also use this web site or the resources it lists to learn more about HIV/AIDS and pregnancy, legislation and rights, financial assistance, research and clinical trials, personal stories, and AIDS worldwide.

   http://www.womenshealth.gov/HIV/

2.   Genital Herpes — Facts from the National Center for HIV, STD & TB Prevention — This fact sheet provides information about what genital herpes is, how common it is, and what you should know about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

   http://www.cdc.gov/std/Herpes/STDFact-Herpes.htm

3.   Gonorrhea — This fact sheet briefly describes gonorrhea with information on prevention, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, what can happen if it goes untreated, and complications for pregnant women and newborns.

   http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/gonorrhea/default.htm

4.   HIV/AIDS among Men Who Have Sex With Men — This publication discusses the increase of HIV among men who have sex with men, the risks, and possible prevention.

   http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pubs/facts/msm.htm

5.   HPV and Men — CDC Fact Sheet — The information in this fact sheet represents the most current HPV science and was developed from common questions asked by men.

   http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/STDFact-HPV-and-men.htm

6.   Human Papillomavirus and Genital Warts — This fact sheet briefly describes the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, possible complications, and prevention of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and genital warts.

   http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/genitalWarts/default.htm

7.   Living With HIV/AIDS — This booklet is for people who are infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. It can help you, as well as friends and family members, understand HIV and its effect on health and everyday life.

   http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pubs/brochure/livingwithhiv.htm

8.   Syphilis & MSM (Men Who Have Sex With Men) — CDC Fact Sheet — This publication discusses general information about syphilis and why men who have sex with men should be concerned about it.

   http://www.cdc.gov/std/Syphilis/STDFact-MSM&Syphilis.htm

9.   Syphilis Facts — This fact sheet provides information about syphilis and its transmission, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.

   http://www.cdc.gov/std/Syphilis/STDFact-Syphilis.htm

10.   Trichomoniasis — This publication provides information on trichomoniasis, including causes, signs and symptoms, complications, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

    http://www.cdc.gov/std/Trichomonas/STDFact-Trichomoniasis.htm

11. Questions and Answers: Chlamydia (Copyright © ASHA) — This fact sheet provides information about the sexually transmitted disease chlamydia, specifically what it is, how common it is, who gets it, and more.

    http://www.ashastd.org/learn/learn_chlamydia.cfm

12. Questions and Answers: Men on the Down Low — This resource addresses men who may feel the need to keep their sexuality private and the risks in doing so.

    http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/aa/resources/qa/downlow.htm

13. Telling Others About Your HIV (Copyright © Project Inform) — It might be really hard to tell others that you have HIV. This publication can help you reveal your status to those you trust the most.

    http://www.projectinform.org/info/disclose/index.shtml

14. The Condom (Copyright © Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc.) — This internet site discusses condoms, over-the-counter barrier methods of contraception. It provides information on the effectiveness, advantages, disadvantages, side effects, how to use condoms, and how to get condoms. It also offers a scenario of what you can say to your partner if he/she is pressuring you not to use a condom.

    http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control/condom-10187.htm

15.   Understanding Resistance & Cross-Resistance (Copyright © ACRIA) — This detailed overview addresses common questions about HIV drug resistance and the genotypic and phenotypic tests that measure resistance.

    http://www.acria.org/files/Resistance.pdf

16.   Understanding Your Lab Results (Copyright © ACRIA) — This on-line publication provides a complete and easy to understand explanation of different lab tests doctors use to monitor the health of patients living with AIDS, HIV diseases, and undergoing treatment.

    http://www.acria.org/files/lab-results.pdf

Organizations

1.   AIDS.gov
2.   AIDSinfo
3.   National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC, OPHS, HHS
4.   National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, HHS
5.   National Prevention Information Network, CDC, HHS
6. American Social Health Association

= Indicates Federal Resources