107 Facts about STIs

Get smart about the most common sexually transmitted infections in fewer stats than stitches around a baseball. Just in case you weren’t sure, there are 108 double stitches around a baseball.

Disclaimer: The below is information selected from accredited health sources. For more on specific STDs go to CDC’s STD homepage. Champ is not a website for individual medical advice, we just want Team Champ to be educated about STDs, as knowledge (and a condom) are the best protection!

Please talk to or see your doctor if you think you may have a sexually transmitted infection and always communicate with your partner about potential risk. You can visit GetTested learn where you can find free and private testing.

STIs Are Equal Opportunity Transmitters and, Unfortunately, On the Rise

1. A sexually transmitted infection (STI) is also known as a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
2. STIs don’t discriminate, infections can be spread through vaginal, oral and anal sex
3. Like the flu, STIs need not be stigmatizing. They are medical issues that everyone should take steps to prevent and treat 
4. Many STIs don’t cause visible symptoms – in fact it is possible to have an STI and not know it
5. Over the past five years, new cases of STIs have been on the rise at alarming rates
6. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the combined cases of the three most common STIs in the US have reached an all-time high in 2018
7. The three most common STIs are syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia
8. All STIs can be treated with medicine, many can be cured entirely if treated correctly and early, but there are more drug-resistant strains popping up
9. Untreated infections can lead to serious and long-term health complications – sometimes even leading to infertility

There Are Ways to Reduce the Risk of an STI

10. Using a new condom every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex is critical in reducing your chances of spreading or contracting an STI – it doesn’t eliminate the chances of spreading or contracting completely, but it is very effective when used correctly
11. Condoms are the best way to reduce chances of exposure to an STI
12. Healthcare professionals are the best resource to test for an STI
13. Confidential, free testing exists nationwide (visit GetTested to learn more) and the tests are typically quick, simple, and usually painless
14. When sexually active, even in a monogamous relationship, getting tested regularly is recommended to minimize contraction or transmission

*PSA Alert* A Little More About Condoms

15. Condoms can only be used once, please do not reuse!
16. Do not use condoms that are expired, brittle, dried out, discolored or damaged in anyway
17. If you feel your condom break during sex, stop immediately, pull out and carefully remove the condom. Do not continue having sex without putting on a new condom
18. Do not take the condom off during sex
19. Do not wear two condoms at once – the friction may cause the condoms to tear
20. Do not open a condom with anything sharp!
21. Do not use teeth, fingernails, scissors or any other sharp objects to tear open the foil wrapper, this may damage the condom
22. Heat, friction, oil-based lubricants can weaken the latex (think wallet, back pocket, petroleum jelly)

Chlamydia

23. Chlamydia is a bacterial infection of the penis, urethra, anus, vagina, cervix, or the throat or eye
24. It can seriously affect a woman’s reproductive system and may make it difficult or impossible for pregnancy later on
25. People infected with chlamydia often experience no symptoms (or they don’t appear until several weeks after contact with an infected partner)
26. Symptoms of chlamydia may include: abnormal discharge from the penis or vagina, pain or burning sensation while urinating, bleeding between periods, pain during vaginal sex, pain and swelling in one or both testicles
27. Semen doesn’t need to be present to contract or spread chlamydia
28. Using a condom correctly every time you have sex will reduce the chances of infection with chlamydia

Gonorrhea

29. Gonorrhea has also been known as “the clap” or “the drip”
30. It is a bacterial infection of the penis, urethra, anus, throat, cervix, or vagina 
31. People that are infected with gonorrhea may have no symptoms
32. Symptoms of gonorrhea may include: burning sensation when urinating or ejaculating, increased, greenish or yellowish discharge from the penis or vagina, vaginal bleeding between periods, anal discharge or bloody bowel movements, itching around the anus
33. Semen doesn’t need to be present to pass gonorrhea, so oral sex without a condom is a risk even if ejaculation happens outside the mouth
34. A condom, used correctly every time you have sex, will reduce the chances of infection with gonorrhea
35. Gonorrhea can be cured with the right treatment from a healthcare professional
36. Some strains of gonorrhea are becoming drug-resistant

Syphilis

37. Syphilis is a bacterial infection that causes sores and rashes
38. Syphilis is categorized into multiple stages, with each stage showing different symptoms
39. Syphilis sores are usually, but not always firm, round and painless and can easily go unnoticed
40. Even after the sore goes away, treatment is still needed. This will stop the infection from moving to the next stages
41. The secondary stage syphilis rash can look like rough, red or reddish-brown spots on the palms of the hands and / or the bottoms of the feet
42. Other symptoms of secondary stage syphilis may be fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches and fatigue
43. Tertiary syphilis is very serious and occurs 10 to 30 years after initial infection – it’s a long time, so keep an eye out for possible symptoms 
44. Most people with untreated syphilis do not develop tertiary syphilis. However, when it does happen it can affect many different organ systems, including the heart and blood vessels and the brain and nervous system
45. Syphilis typically spreads by coming into direct contact with a sore during anal, vaginal and sometimes oral sex
46. Using a condom correctly every time you have sex will reduce the chances that you get infected with syphilis
47. Syphilis can be cured with the right treatment from a healthcare professional but should be done early to avoid any long-term damage

Herpes Simplex Virus Types 1 and 2

48. HSV 1 is herpes simplex virus type one and is often termed “oral herpes” – also known as ‘cold sores’
49. HSV 2 is herpes simplex virus type two and is often termed “genital herpes”
50. Oral herpes affects nearly 80% of Americans
51. More than 1 out of 6 people between the ages of 14 to 49 are infected with genital herpes
52. Genital herpes is a viral infection that causes sores or breaks in the skin or lining of the mouth, vagina and rectum
53. People that are infected with genital or oral herpes may not experience any symptoms or may notice only mild symptoms
54. Genital herpes symptoms can include one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum
55. HSV 2 blisters can break and leave painful sores that many take a week or more to heal
56. The first time an outbreak of genital herpes occurs, the symptoms may be accompanied by flu-like symptoms such as fever, body aches or swollen glands
57. Oral herpes often manifest as cold sores or fever blisters on or around the mouth but can also appear in other parts of the body
58. Herpes typically spreads through anal, oral or vaginal sex and by kissing
59. Daily anti-herpes medication and avoiding sexual intercourse when a partner is experiencing an outbreak is best practice for sexual relations with a partner infected with HSV 1 or 2
60. Using a condom correctly every time will reduce the chances of infection with HSV, but will not eliminate the risk completely
61. There is no cure for herpes, but there are medications that can prevent or shorten the duration of an outbreak

Trichomoniasis

62. Trichomoniasis is often referred to as “trich”
63. Trich is a very common curable STI caused by the trichomonas vaginalis parasite and results in mild irritation to severe inflammation of the genitalia 
64. While an estimated 3.7m people in the US are infected with trichomoniasis, only about 30% develop any symptoms
65. Symptoms of trich may include: itching, irritation, burning, redness or soreness of the genitals, discomfort or burning while urinating and ejaculating for men, discharge from the penis or a change in consistency, volume, color or smell of vaginal discharge, discomfort during sexual intercourse
66. It typically spreads through vaginal sex. The parasite passes from one person to another during intercourse.
67. In women, the most commonly infected area for trich is the lower genital tract which includes the vulva, vagina, cervix or urethra
68. In men, the most commonly infected areas from trich is the urethra found inside the penis 
69. Using a condom correctly every time sex will reduce the chances of infection with trichomoniasis
70. Trich can be treated with medication, but people who have been treated for trich can get it again
71. If untreated, trich can increase the risk of getting or spreading other STIs

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

72. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system   
73. Once infected with HIV, some people have flu-like symptoms within 2 to 4 weeks
74. Symptoms of HIV may include: fever, chills, rash, night sweats, muscle aches, sore throat, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes and mouth ulcers
75. HIV typically spreads through anal or vaginal sex – for transmission of HIV to occur, body fluids containing the virus must come into contact with a mucous membrane or damaged tissue or be directly injected into the bloodstream (from a needle or syringe)
76. Bodily fluids that may contain HIV include blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids and breast milk. Mucous membranes are found inside the rectum, vagina, penis and mouth.
77. HIV can also be transmitted from a mother to her baby and can be spread with the sharing of needles or syringes
78. Using a condom correctly every time you have sex will reduce the chances of infection with HIV
79. A lubricant during vaginal or anal sex can reduce friction, which will help prevent the condom from breaking
80. Medications such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) are highly effective at preventing the transmission of HIV. This medication is only available if prescribed by a physician
81. HIV cannot be cured, but with the proper medical care, HIV can be controlled
82. Anyone can get tested free and confidentially at test locations throughout the country
83. HIV without treatment progresses in three stages
84. Acute HIV Infection is the first stage, which is when the virus is very contagious. Some people experience flu-like symptoms, but some people may not experience any symptoms
85. Chronic HIV Infection is the second stage. During this stage, people may not have any symptoms or get sick, but they can transmit HIV to others
86. Stage 3 is also known as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
87. AIDS represents the most severe phase of the HIV infection, people who are diagnosed with AIDS when their CD4 cell counts drop below 200 cells/nm or if they develop certain severe illnesses called opportunistic infections
88. People with AIDS have severely damaged immune systems, resulting in an increasing number of opportunistic infections. People in this stage are very infectious and without the appropriate treatment, typically survive approximately three years

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

89. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI)
90. HPV is a different virus than HIV and HSV (herpes)
91. There were about 43mm HPV infections in 2018, many among people in their late teens and early 20s
92. There are many different types of HPV. Some types can cause health problems including genital warts and cancers
93. There are vaccines that can stop these health problems caused by HPV from happening
94. HPV can be transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus
95. HPV is most commonly spread during vaginal or anal sex
96. HPV can be transmitted even when an infected person has no signs or symptoms
97. Anyone who is sexually active can get HPV, even if they have had sex with only one person
98. A person can develop symptoms years after having sex with someone who is infected
99. This makes it hard to know when anyone first became infected
100. In most cases, HPV goes away on its own and does not cause any health problems
101. When HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems like genital warts and cancer
102. HPV can cause cervical and other cancers including cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis, or anus
103. It can also cause cancer in the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue
104. The HPV vaccine can protect against diseases (including cancers) caused by HPV when given in the recommended age groups

For More information

105. If you suspect you have or may have been exposed to an STI, seek help from your healthcare provider
106. For testing or more information on STIs go to GetTested
107. Champ can help ensure you always have protection at your fingertips, so you always come prepared!