Residential and Outpatient Handbook - Plymouth - 75

For more information, contact:
Minnesota Department of Health
STD and HIV Section
651-201-5414
health.state.mn.us/hiv
Rainbow Health
(612)-373-2437 (Metro)
(800)-248-2437
612-373-2465 TTY (Metro)
888-820-2437 TTY (State)
MinnesotaAIDSLine: 612-373-2437;
email aidsline@rainbowhealth.org; or
text AIDSLine to 839863
mapaidsline@justushealth.org
justushealth.org/resourceguide
The American Sexual Health Association (a.k.a. ASHA)
ashasexualhealth.org
CDC National STD and AIDS Hotlines
800-CDC-INFO; 888-232-6348 TTY
cdc.gov/hiv
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
What are sexually transmitted
infections?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections
you can get by having sex with someone who has
an infection. These infections are usually passed by
having intercourse, but they can also be passed through
anal sex, oral sex, or skin-to-skin contact. STIs can be
caused by viruses or bacteria. STIs caused by viruses
include hepatitis B, herpes, HIV, and the human
papilloma virus (HPV). STIs caused by bacteria include
chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.
Am I at risk for having an STI?
If you've ever had sex, you may be at risk for having
an STI. Your risk is higher if you have had many sex
partners, have had sex with someone who has had
many partners, or have had sex without using condoms.
Some common symptoms of STIs are listed below.
* Itching around the vagina and/or discharge from the
vagina
74
How are STIs diagnosed?
Most STIs can be diagnosed through an exam by your
doctor, a culture of the secretions from your vagina or
penis, or through a blood test.
Can STIs be prevented?
Yes. The only sure way to prevent STIs is by not having
sex. If you have sex, you can lower your risk of getting
an STI by only having sex with someone who isn't
having sex with anyone else and who doesn't have an
STI. You should always use condoms when having sex,
including oral and anal sex.
Do condoms prevent STIs?
External and internal latex condoms can reduce your
risk of getting an STI if used correctly. Be sure to use
them every time you have sex. Remember, though,
that condoms aren't 100 percent safe and can't protect
you from coming in contact with some sores, such as
those that can occur with herpes or warts, which can be
caused by HPV infection.
* Discharge from the penis
* Pain during sex or when urinating
* Pain in the pelvic area
* Sore throats in people who have oral sex
* Pain in or around the anus for people who have anal
sex
* Chancre sores (painless red sores) on the genital area,
anus, tongue, and/or throat
* A scaly rash on the palms of your hands and the soles
of your feet
* Dark urine, loose, light-colored stools, and yellow
eyes and skin
* Small blisters that turn into scabs on the genital area.
* Swollen glands, fever, and body aches
* Unusual infections, unexplained fatigue, night
sweats, and weight loss
* Soft, flesh-colored warts around the genital area
Should I be checked for STIs?
See your doctor if you're at risk for having an STI, if you
have any of the symptoms listed above, or if you have
concerns about whether you have one. STIs can cause
problems if left untreated.
https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/hiv http://justushealth.org/resourceguide http://ashasexualhealth.org http://cdc.gov/hiv
Residential and Outpatient Handbook - Plymouth

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