is a Sexually Transmitted
A sexually transmitted infection (STI) is a disease that is spread from one person to another through sexual contact, including vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and anal sex. STIs are also called
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). STIs are common,
especially among young people.
Common STIs include:
What are symptoms of STIs?
Typical STI symptoms for women may
redness, or itching near
the vaginal area
Typical STI symptoms for men may
Many STIs do not
cause any noticeable symptoms, so the
only way to know for sure if you have an
STI is to get tested. Keep in mind you
can get an STI from having sex with
someone who has no symptoms and may not
know he or she has an STI.
Why should I care about
STIs may have serious consequences. If you ignore an
STI, you might develop other health problems later.
These problems can include heart, brain, or liver
damage; infertility; cancers in your reproductive
organs; and even death. Having an STI also makes it
easier for you to become infected with HIV.
Where can I get tested?
If you live in Los Angeles County and
are at least 12 years old or older, you
can call the Los Angeles County STD
Hotline at (800) 758-0880 to find out
where you can get tested and treated for
free. For more information on free
testing locations near you, see our STD clinics page.
If you do not live in Los Angeles
County, you can call the CDC National
STD Hotline at (800) 232-4636 or
click here to find an STD center
Can STIs be treated?
Bacterial STDs like Chlamydia, Gonorrhea
and Syphilis, can be easily treated and
cured. Viral STIs like Herpes, genital
warts, and HIV are incurable, but there
are treatments available to manage the
symptoms. Vaccines are available to
prevent the onset of certain STDs. For
vaccines to be effective, a person has
to be vaccinated before they are exposed
to the infection.
If you think you have an STI, see a
health care provider immediately.
Seeking treatment early will help to
minimize the long-term effects of most
STIs. Make sure your partner(s) get
tested and treated too.
How can I
The best way to prevent an STI is to not
have vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
If you do have sex, lower your risk of
getting an STI with the following steps:
a latex condom correctly
each time you have sex.
You can also use other
condoms, female condoms,
or dental dams. Birth
control methods like the
pill, depo provera, or
diaphragms DO NOT
protect against STIs.
Talk to your partner(s) about
safer sex before having
sex. Try to select a
setting that is neutral
and non-sexual. Discuss
your sexual histories
including past sex
partners and STIs.
Limit your number of sex
partners. The more
people you have sex
with, the greater your
chances of getting an
STI. A monogamous
relationship — where you
and your partner only
have sex with each
another — is safest.
to a clinic for an STI
checkup every six months
if you change partners,
have more than one
partner, or if you think
your partner may be
having sex with anyone
you have an STI, make
sure both you and your
partner(s) get treated.
Do not have sex again
until both you and your
Get vaccinated. Vaccines are available for HPV,
and Hepatitis B. Talk to your doctor or go to a clinic to find out if these vaccines are suitable for you.
Learn more about
HPV Vaccine here. For more information on where to get Hepatitis
B vaccine in L.A. County,
you are pregnant, seek
prenatal care early.
Early detection and
treatment of STIs is
important to prevent
complications in your