• Yellow discharge from the vagina or urethra • Painful or frequent urination • Vaginal bleeding between periods • Rectal bleeding, discharge, or pain Keep in mind that you may not experience any symptoms of an STI but still have a positive result.

This all depends on your sexual behavior. If you are NOT considered high-risk, the American College of Obstetricians and the CDC recommend patients be tested at least once a year. If you ARE considered a high-risk patient, testing is recommended at least every 6 months, at times every 3 months, or as often as with each new sexual partner.

Certain types of untreated STIs can cause or lead to: Problems getting pregnant or permanent infertility Problems during pregnancy and health problems for the unborn baby Infection in other parts of the body Organ damage Certain types of cancer, such as cervical cancer

Patients who: • Engage in unprotected sex, inlcuding vaginal, anal or oral sex. • Having multiple sexual partners • Use recreational drugs • Have sex for the exhange of goods

Your information is protected whether you are positive or negative. We highly encourage you to tell your partner that they may have been exposed and should seek testing and treatment. This is highly recommended because STIs that are left untreated can lead to long term health effects. If you need help starting the conversation, here are some helpful links: https://www.cdc.gov/actagainstaids/campaigns/starttalking/convo.html http://www.gytnow.org/

There are a couple of different ways you can protect yourself from getting HPV. • Get vaccinated. There is a vaccine called Gardasil that is recommended by the CDC starting at age 11 or 12, but can be given as early as 9 years old. The vaccine is offered through the age of 26. • Practice safe sex. • Be in a mutually monogamous relationship - or only have sex with someone who only has sex with you. •Know your status and the status of your partner before engaging in sexual activity.

Unfortunately, most people with HPV do not know that they have it. Some people find out because they develop genital warts, women can find out if their pap smear results are "abnormal." This is why routine screening for HPV at appropriate intervals based on age and sexual behavior is so important.

According to the CDC, about 79 million Americans currently have HPV and about 14 million people become infected each year. HPV is so common that every person who is sexually active will most likely get HPV at some point in there life if they are not vaccinated or practice safe sex.

The hepatitis B virus can survive outside the body for at least 7 days and cause infection. Hep C: Can be passed through sexual activity Can cause a long term chronic infection Higher risk of exposure if you have other STI’S or HIV, or if you engage in sexual activities with an infected partner, have multiple partners or have rough sex that causes bleeding No vaccine available

Hep A: Typically passed via fecal to oral route and through the ingestion of contaminated food and water Can be sexually transmitted Usually short term infection Has a vaccine for protection Hep B: Can be passed sexually as it lives in blood, semen, and other body fluids Can be passed to newborn during delivery Can turn into a long lasting infection Has a vaccine for protection No true treatment

No, there are only vaccine products available for hepatitis A and B. The CDC recommends the hepatitis A vaccination for men who have sex with men. Sexually active adults are not considered at risk for hepatitis A unless they live with or are having sex with an infected person, inject drugs or have chronic liver disease.

HIV is a human immunodeficiency virus that works to attack your immune system. Your immune system is needed to produce cells to fight off infection. The weaker your immune system, the harder it is for your body to recover from infections and diseases. If left untreated, your fighter cells can become depleted, leading to the fourth stage of HIV, also known as AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).

HIV is spread by contact with certain bodily fluids of a person with HIV, such as semen, vaginal fluids, blood, and breast milk. These bodily fluids are commonly exchanged during sexual activity without a condom or dental dam, sharing IV drug needles, and breast feeding.