In 2023 alone, an estimated 2.4 million new STI cases occurred.
Some STIs are curable while others are not.
Even withcondomsand other forms ofsafer sex, some STIs are hard to avoid.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
A great many women with chlamydia remain asymptomatic.
When there are symptoms, they often includepain during sexand discharge from the penis or vagina.
Untreated chlamydia can damage the reproductive tract, causinginfertilityby blocking structures like theepididymisin males andfallopian tubesin females.
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Chlamydia can be cured withantibioticslike azithromycin ordoxycycline.
An estimated 1 million new trichomoniasis infections occur each year.
Trichomoniasis in males is usually asymptomatic.
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The biggest concern about untreated trichomoniasis is the risk of pregnancy complications, such asmiscarriageandpremature birth.
It can also infect the throat if you haveoral sex.
As with chlamydia, gonorrhea often causes no symptoms, especially in women.
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If you get symptoms, you may experience aburning sensation when you pee.
Gonorrhea is commonly treated with a single shot of the antibioticceftriaxone.
In such cases, other drugs may be needed.
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While NG is less well-known than gonorrhea, it causes more infections year on year.
Human Papillomavirus
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
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Human papillomavirus(HPV)is thought to be the most common STI overall.
At least 16 are high-risk strains that have the potential to causecervical cancerand other types of cancer.
The types that cause warts rarely cause cancer.
It is often hard to prevent HPV infection becausecondomsare only nominally effective.
Over 570,000 new genital herpes infections are reported annually in the U.S. among people ages 14 to 49.
Syphilis develops in stages.
Syphilis istransmittedwhen you come into direct contact with a sore, usually found in and around sex organs.
A single large injection ofpenicillincan usually flush the infection.
If left untreated, chronic HBV can progress, causingcirrhosisandliver failurein some people.
To date, between 880,000 and 1.89 million people are chronically infected with HBV in the United States.
Due to widespreadHBV vaccination, the rate of new chronic infections has dropped to around 14,000 per year.
LGV is readily treated with antibiotics.
Swollen lymph nodes in the groin (inguinal lymphadenopathy) and a heavy pus discharge are also common.
Chancroid is readily treated with non-penicillin antibiotics likecephalosporin, ceftriaxone, azithromycin, and erythromycin.
Rare ones include lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) and chancroid.
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