Could you have gotten a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)? Do you have an STI?

• Are you 20 years of age or under or between the ages of 20-25?(Adolescents and women between the ages of 20-25 are at the highest risk for chlamydial infection.)
• Have you had a new sex partner within the past 3 months?
• Have you had more than one sex partner within the past 3 months?
• Have you had an STI before?
• Do you forget or choose not to use condoms every time you have sex?

This risk assessment tool will help you determine your risk of an STI. If a majority of your answers to the above questions were 'yes', you should be examined and tested by a medical professional. All sexually active women and men should be screened for STIs at least once a year. If you change partners, you should be tested more frequently.

There are more than 30 different kinds of sexually transmitted infections that can be spread in different ways. Sexual intercourse carries the highest risk for all types of STIs. Some STIs, like herpes and hepatitis can be passed through kissing. It is important to note that no form of intimate contact is completely free of risk: from kissing/petting to oral, anal or vaginal sex/intercourse. Even though we cannot indicate to you the precise percentage of risk for any form of sexual contact, we do know that the most serious infections; HIV/AIDS, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, are usually transmitted during unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are the most common bacterial infections that can be cured through the use of proper antibiotics prescribed by a medical professional. Millions of people are infected each year with chlamydia or gonorrhea. Often with chlamydia, there are no symptoms (up to 75% in women and 25% in men), and sometimes gonorrhea has no symptoms. Chlamydia is often present with gonorrhea, so an individual should be tested for both at the same time.

We receive many questions from women and men about STIs, and they would also like us to tell them if they do or do not have an STI. Of course, we can't tell via e-mail or over the phone if you have an STI, even if you describe your symptoms in great detail! Diagnosis of STIs may require a physical examination and/or lab testing by a medical professional. If you think you have been exposed to an STI or have symptoms of an STI, such as a rash, growth, discharge, itch, odor, or other symptoms, be responsible and get screened and tested. Call family planning health services (fphs), Inc. toll free at 1-800-246-5743 for high quality, affordable, and confidential testing.