Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) also sometimes called sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that can be passed through sexual contact.
STIs can pass from one person to another through contact with:
- Vaginal discharge
- Semen
- Pre-cum
- Rectal fluids
- Blood
- Direct contact with infected skin
Some STIs can also be passed during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding
Anyone who is sexually active can get an STI
The most common STI symptom is no symptom at all. Many people with an STI do not feel sick or have any symptoms. If you are sexually active, it is recommended that you get tested regularly even if you don’t have symptoms.
Possible symptoms of an may include:
- Burning or pain with urination
- Unusual discharge
- Bumps, blisters, rash, or sores around the genital area or anus
- Pain or bleeding with sex
- Changes in menstrual cycle
Please note that many of these symptoms can be due to other causes not related to STIs. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to visit a healthcare provider to receive adequate care.
STIs can be caused by a virus, bacteria, or parasites
Bacterial STIs
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
Some STIs can be cured while others can only be treated.
Curable- treatment makes the STI go away completely
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
- Trichomoniasis
Treatable- treatment will lessen the symptoms and complications of the STI
If left untreated, STIs can have lasting effects on your body, such as damage to your reproductive system, vision, hearing, brain, and cardiovascular system. Many STIs can cause infertility, and some infections can be passed to a baby during pregnancy, leading to birth defects or stillbirth.
STIs are PREVENTABLE
If you have sex, know how to protect yourself and your sexual partner from STIs.
- Abstinence -The most reliable way to avoid STIs is to not have sex (i.e., anal, vaginal, or oral).
- Talk to Your Partner – Limit your sexual partners and have open communication about sex.
- Condoms and Dental Dams - Correctly and consistently using condoms and dental dams are an effective way of preventing STIs. If you aren’t using condoms, using lube can help reduce the risk of creating small tears in your skin that increases your chances of coming in contact with STIs. Learn more about using a condom or a dental dam.
- Vaccination – Some STIs, like hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and human papillomavirus (HPV) can be prevented through vaccination.
HPV
The HPV vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine to help prevent the spread of the HPV. HPV vaccination is recommended for youth 11 or 12 and everyone through age 26, if not vaccinated.
Bacterial STIs
Doxy PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a single dose of antibiotic taken after unprotected sex that protects against some bacterial STIs.
ANYONE who is sexually active can get an STI.
Get tested to know your status. Knowing your status helps you take control of your sexual health to protect yourself and others. HIV and STI testing services are available throughout the Denver metro area at little to no cost regardless of your insurance status.
DDPHE offers same-day STI testing and treatment for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis. We also offer rapid point of care testing for HIV and linkage to care for all sexual health concerns.
Request an STI clinic or test through our Public Health Nursing Team.
In-Person HIV/STI Testing Locations
Public Health Institute at Denver Health: Find an HIV or STD Testing Site
CDC: Get Tested
Free-At-Home HIV/STI Testing
The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) & Binx Health
Test Yourself Colorado by Denver Health
Vivent Health (HIV tests)
Up Close Sexual Health Program
The Up Close Program promotes awareness of sexual health as a core component of overall health and well-being by engaging with diverse community partners to identify resources and opportunities to create and enhance sexual health programming in the City and County of Denver.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are normal, treatable and most are curable. Talking to your partner about your STI status (STI test results) could feel a little uncomfortable and nerve wracking but you don’t have to do it alone.
Here are some tips to help you prepare for the conversation:
- Think about the method you will use to communicate (In person/Texting/Calling)- Neither is necessarily better but if you’re concerned that a partner may become aggressive or violent texting or calling may be the safest approach.
- Make Time and Place for the Conversation- The right place to have this conversation is wherever you feel the safest and most comfortable. Try to have the conversation when you both have enough time to fully discuss the situation.
- Remind Yourself That You’re Doing the Right Thing- Getting tested for STIs is a way of not only caring for your own health, but for your partner’s as well. Although people make assumptions about the how’s and why’s of STIs. STIs don’t mean a person is ‘unclean’ and they don’t always mean that someone cheated.
- Focus on the Facts- Focus on the medical facts about the STI. Avoid accusations or confessions. With STIs it’s difficult to tell who had the infection first or how long you’ve had it.
- Talk about Next Steps- It may be helpful to let your partner know which STI you tested positive for and what the next steps will look like for you. If there is a chance that the STI may have been transmitted to your partner, it’s also a good idea to encourage them to get tested so they know their own status and can get treatment if necessary.
- Offer Resources- They may have some questions that you are unable to answer, connecting them to a resource, can be a great way for them to get their questions answered.
Sharing your STI Status with a Previous Partner
- “I was just diagnosed with [INSERT STI] and my provider recommended that my previous partners get tested for this. It doesn’t always cause symptoms, so even if you don’t have any, you should still be tested to be safe.”
- “I went in for routine screening and found out I have [INSERT STI]. The doctor thinks it’s important that my previous partners get tested to protect their health. I didn’t show any symptoms, and you might not either, but you should get tested anyway.”
Sharing your STI Status with a Current Partner
- “I got my test results back and tested positive for [INSERT STI]. It’s totally treatable and the doctor prescribed a medication for me to take for [INSERT NUMBER OF DAYS]. I’ll be tested again in [INSERT NUMBER OF DAYS] to make sure it’s gone. They suggested you also go in to get tested.
- “My results came back positive for [INSERT STI]. I care about you, so I got all the information I could about the STI and treatment, what this means for our sex life, and any precautions we have to take. What do you want to know first?”
- “My STI results are negative, but we both need to stay on top of regular testing and do what we can to stay healthy. Here’s what the clinician recommended…”
Sharing your STI Status with a New Partner
- "Before we hook up, we should talk status. I’ll go first. My last STI screen was [INSERT DATE] and I tested [POSITIVE/NEGATIVE] for [INSERT STI(s)]. How about you?”
- “I have [INSERT STI]. I’m taking medication to manage/treat it. I thought it’s something you need to know before we take things further. I’m sure you have questions...”
Sharing your STI Status Anonymously
There are some online tools that let you text or email your partner(s) anonymously. They’re free, easy to use and don’t require sharing any of your personal information:
Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) Partner Services
CDPHE's Partner Services connects people with an STI to testing, treatment, medical care and support services. The state required laboratories and health providers to report when you test positive for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, or gonorrhea.
A disease intervention specialist (DIS) will reach out to you to help you navigate treatment and care. They will also get information on anyone you may have exposed to an STI. Sharing your partner(s) information ensures that everyone gets the same support and treatment. DIS will never share your personal information.
A DIS can:
- Notify your partner(s)
- Discreetly get in touch with your partner(s) to let them know of their exposure without saying anything about you.
- Help you notify your partner(s)
- Help prepare you to tell you partner(s) and offer support and information.
- Notify partner(s) with you
- You can talk with your partner(s) along with a DIS who will provider support and answer any questions or concerns your partner may have.
If you have an STI/HIV and would like help in notifying sex and/or needle-sharing partners of their possible exposure, you can contact the DIS pager line at 303-692-6226.
Keep yourself and your partner(s) safe by waiting until you have both completed your treatment before being sexually active again. It is possible to pass an infection back and forth before finishing all the medication.