STD & STI Guide
What STDs and STIs are, the difference between them, how transmission happens, and how to get tested. Clear, factual answers to common sexually transmitted infection questions.
What Is an STD?
Learn what STDs and STIs are: the difference between infection and disease, the most common sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia, gono…
How to Get Tested for STDs
How to get tested for STDs in the U.S.: where to test (clinics, urgent care, at-home kits), how long to wait after exposure for accurate res…
What Is the Difference Between STD and STI?
An STI is an infection (may have no symptoms); an STD is a disease (causes symptoms). CDC now prefers STI.…
Is BV an STD?
BV is NOT technically an STD but is associated with sexual activity. Learn what causes bacterial vaginosis and how it differs from STIs.…
Is HPV an STD?
HPV is the most common STD. 200+ strains, most clear spontaneously. High-risk types cause cancer. Vaccine prevents 90%+ of HPV cancers.…
Will an STD Go Away on Its Own?
Bacterial STDs need antibiotics. Viral STDs are lifelong but manageable. Learn which are curable.…
How Long After Sex Should You Get Tested?
Testing windows: chlamydia 1-2 weeks, HIV RNA 9-11 days, HIV antibody 18-45 days, syphilis 3-6 weeks. Too early = false negative.…
How Much Does STD Testing Cost Without Insurance?
Costs: $50-$250 per test at clinics, $100-$400 for panels, free at Planned Parenthood, at-home kits $50-$200.…
Does Urgent Care Do STD Testing?
Most urgent care centers test for chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis. $100-$300 without insurance. Results 2-5 days.…
How Do You Know If You Have an STD?
Many STDs have NO symptoms. Common signs: discharge, burning, sores. Testing is the only way to know for sure.…
What Are the Symptoms of Chlamydia?
Chlamydia symptoms: 70-80% of women and 50% of men have NONE. When present: discharge, burning with urination, pelvic pain. Testing is the o…
What Are the Symptoms of Gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea symptoms: discharge, burning with urination, pelvic pain. Many people have no symptoms. Untreated gonorrhea can cause infertility …
How to Check for Chlamydia
Chlamydia testing: simple urine test (NAAT) or swab. No blood test needed. Results in 1-3 days. Annual testing recommended for sexually acti…
How Long Does STD Testing Take?
STD testing: visit takes 10-20 minutes, results in 1-5 days depending on test type. HIV RNA results fastest (1-2 days). Rapid HIV tests give…
Can I Buy an STD Test Kit?
Yes — FDA-approved at-home STD test kits are available online for chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis, and trichomoniasis. Costs $50-$200. R…
What Is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is the most common bacterial STD in the U.S. 70-80% of women have no symptoms. Curable with antibiotics. Untreated causes infertil…
What Is Gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is a bacterial STD increasingly resistant to antibiotics. Symptoms include discharge and burning. Can cause infertility and spread…
What Is Syphilis?
Syphilis is a bacterial STD that progresses through stages: painless sore, rash, latent, and late-stage organ damage. Curable with penicilli…
What Is Herpes (HSV)?
Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 oral, HSV-2 genital) causes recurring sores. 80% of people with HSV-2 don't know they have it. Manageable with a…
What Is HIV?
HIV attacks the immune system's CD4 cells. Without treatment, progresses to AIDS. With modern ART, people with HIV have normal life expectan…
What Is Trichomoniasis?
Trichomoniasis is a parasitic STD causing vaginal discharge and itching. 70% have no symptoms. Curable with a single dose of metronidazole o…
What Is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a viral liver infection transmitted through blood, sexual contact, or from mother to baby. A vaccine prevents it. Chronic inf…
What Is Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is a viral liver infection transmitted through blood. 80% become chronic. New direct-acting antivirals cure 95%+ of cases in 8-1…
What Is PrEP for HIV Prevention?
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a daily pill that prevents HIV with 99%+ effectiveness. Brand names: Truvada, Descovy. Requires HIV-negat…
What Is the HPV Vaccine?
The HPV vaccine (Gardasil 9) prevents 90%+ of HPV-related cancers. Recommended at age 11-12, approved up to age 45. Given in 2-3 doses.…
How Do You Get STDs?
STDs spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex, skin-to-skin contact with sores, sharing needles, and mother-to-baby during birth. Some spre…
What Are the Symptoms of HIV?
Early HIV: flu-like symptoms 2-4 weeks after infection (fever, rash, sore throat). Then no symptoms for years. Testing is the only way to kn…
What Are the Symptoms of Herpes?
Herpes symptoms: tingling, blisters, sores. 80% of people with HSV-2 don't know they have it. First outbreak is usually the most severe.…
What Is a Chlamydia Test?
Chlamydia testing: urine NAAT test (most common) or vaginal swab. No blood test. No fasting needed. Results in 1-3 days. Curable with antibi…
What Is the HIV Window Period?
The HIV window period is the time between infection and when a test can detect it. HIV RNA: 9-11 days. 4th-gen test: 18-45 days. Antibody on…
What Is HPV Testing?
HPV testing: Pap smear screens for cervical cell changes; HPV co-testing checks for high-risk HPV DNA. Recommended for women 30-65 every 5 y…
How to Prevent STDs
STD prevention: condoms (reduce risk 80-90%), HPV vaccine, PrEP for HIV, regular testing, mutual monogamy, and communication with partners.…