Sexually Transmitted
Diseases
Its your health.
Protect yourself.
Why Should I get Tested for STDs?
Sexually transmitted diseases are common. Think it
can’t happen to you? Think again. By age 25, one in
two sexually active young people will get an STD.
Some STDs show no symptoms, and many of those
infected don’t know it. The only way to “know for sure”
is to get tested! STDs are treatable, and most are
curable. Putting off treatment can lead to irreversible
health effects such as infertility, increased risk for
cancer, and even death. Before you start a new sexual
relationship, talk with your partner about getting tested
for STDs. After all, you aren’t just having sex with your
partner but with everyone they’ve had sex with….and
everyone they had sex with….
How can I get Tested for STDs at the
WCU Student Health Center?
Students should call 227-7640 to schedule an
appointment. If you are concerned about
privacy when making the appointment, simply
state that you wish to see a health care
provider for a “personal reason”, instead of
saying an STD screening. You may also
request to see a male or female provider at
this time. (These requests will be honored but
not guaranteed depending on schedule
availability.)
What Will Happen on the Day of My
Appointment?
The Talk
Be prepared to address topics concerning your sexual
history, current sexual behavior, methods of
contraception and STD risk reduction, and any current
symptoms that you may be experiencing. These
questions may seem really personal, but its important
to be honest with your health care provider. All
information is confidential. Based on your
conversation, your provider will determine appropriate
tests for you.
What Will Happen on the Day of My
Appointment?
The Exam
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There is no single test that will screen for all STDs. Your exam may include:
Physical exam – your health care provider may look at your genital and/or your
anus for any signs of an infection, such as a rash, discharge, sores, or warts. For
women, this exam can be similar to a yearly pelvic exam.
Urine sample – you may be asked to urinate into a cup.
Discharge, tissue, cell or oral fluid sample – your provider will use a swab to
collect samples that will be looked at under a microscope.
Blood sample – your provider may take a small blood sample
Sometimes your diagnosis can be made based on your symptoms or a physical
exam. Treatment could be prescribed right away. Other times, your health care
provider may need to send a sample away to a lab. In that case, the results may
not be available for several days. Always follow up!
Signs and Symptoms of Chlamydia
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Most of those infected have no symptoms. If
symptoms do occur, they usually appear within 1 to 3
weeks of exposure.
Women: abnormal vaginal discharge, a burning
sensation when urinating, lower abdominal pain,
nausea, fever, pain during intercourse, or bleeding
between menstrual periods.
Men: discharge from the penis, burning sensation
when urinating, or burning and itching around the
opening of the penis.
How is Chlamydia Treated?
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Chlamydia can be easily treated and cured
with a single antibiotic dose.
 Both partners must be treated at the same
time to prevent passing the infection back and
forth.
 Pts with chlamydia should abstain from sexual
intercourse until 7 days after their partner has
completed treatment.
Signs and Symptoms of Gonorrhea
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Most of those infected show no symptoms. If
symptoms do occur, they usually appear within
2 days to 4 weeks of exposure.
 Women: a painful or burning sensation when
urinating, increased vaginal discharge, or
vaginal bleeding between periods.
 Men: a burning sensation when urinating, or a
white, yellow, or green discharge from the
penis. Sometimes men with gonorrhea get
painful or swollen testicles.
How is Gonorrhea Treated?
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Gonorrhea can be easily treated and cured
with a single dose of an antibiotic.
 Both partners must be treated at the same
time to prevent passing the infection back and
forth.
 Because many people with gonorrhea also
have chlamydia, antibiotics for both infections
are usually given together.
Signs and Symptoms of Genital
Herpes
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Most people have no symptoms. The first
outbreak typically occurs 2 weeks after
exposure. The virus stays in the body forever
and may cause recurrent outbreaks.
 Men and Women: small painful blisters or
ulcers on the genitals, flu-like symptoms: fever,
headaches, tender swollen glands.
How is Genital Herpes Treated?
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There is no treatment that can cure the herpes
virus itself.
 Antiviral medications (Acyclovir) can help
reduce the pain and itching as well as the
frequency of recurrent outbreaks.
 Daily suppressive therapy with antiviral
medications can reduce the likelihood of
spreading the virus to sex partners.
Signs and Symptoms of HPV
(Genital Warts)
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Most people with HPV do not develop
symptoms. Certain types of HPV can cause
genital warts in men and women, while others
can cause cervical cancer in women.
 Genital warts usually appear as small bumps
or groups of bumps, usually in the genital
area. They can be raised or flat, single or
multiple, small or large, and sometimes
cauliflower shaped.
 Cervical cancer does not have symptoms
until it is quite advanced. For this reason, it is
important for women to get Pap test annually.
How is HPV Treated?
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There is no treatment that can cure the virus
itself.
 Visible genital warts can be removed by
topical medications prescribed by your
clinician, or by chemical treatments performed
by your clinician in the office.
Should I be Concerned About HIV?
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Many people infected with HIV do not have any
symptoms at all for many years after exposure.
One quarter of the HIV-infected persons in the United
States do not know that they are infected.
HIV is spread through unprotected vaginal, oral, and
anal sex with someone who has HIV; through sharing
contaminated needles or drug works; and during
pregnancy or breast- feeding with an HIV-positive
mother.
There is no treatment that can cure HIV or AIDS.
Antiretroviral medications can slow the progression
and delay the onset of AIDS.
How Do I get Tested for HIV?
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Free HIV Testing is provided by the
Jackson County Department of Public
Health at the WCU UC on the following
dates: 4/15, 9/15, 12/1 from 4pm-8pm
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You may also contact Jackson County Department of
Public Health to schedule an appointment at their
facilities located on Scotts Creek Rd. 828-586-8994
The American Red Cross screens all donated blood
for HIV/AIDS.
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How Do I Protect Myself?
Get tested
 Ask your partner to get tested
 Use condoms
 Limit your number of sexual partners
 Do not inject illicit drugs
 If consuming alcohol, do so
moderately
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Condoms…am I Using Them
Correctly?
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Use a new condom each and every time you have sex (including oral sex)—
throughout the entire sex act (from start to finish).
Before any genital contact, put the condom on the tip of the erect penis with the
rolled side out.
If the condom does not have a reservoir tip, pinch the tip enough to leave a halfinch space for semen to collect. Holding the tip, unroll the condom all the way to
the base of the erect penis.
After ejaculation and before the penis gets soft, grip the rim of the condom and
carefully withdraw. Then gently pull the condom off the penis, making sure that
semen doesn't spill out.
If you feel the condom break at any point during sexual activity, stop
immediately, withdraw, remove the broken condom, and put on a new condom.
Ensure that adequate lubrication is used during vaginal and anal sex, which might
require water-based lubricants such as K-Y JellyTM or AstroglideTM. Oil-based
lubricants (petroleum jelly, massage oils, body lotions) should not be used
because they can weaken latex, causing breakage.
References
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Center for Disease Control
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www.cdc.gov
UpToDate
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www.uptodate.com