Sexually Transmitted Infections
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Sex! It is a part of our lives
Whether it is the movies we watch, the books we read, or the lives we lead, the issues presented about sex and sexuality are ones that we will inevitably have to face.
One of the many complex issues that we factor into our decision of whether or not to have sex is that of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
If you picked up this brochure because you suspect you may already have an STI, you are not alone. An alarming number of college students across the country are reporting contracting some STI or another. The important thing now is that you not be embarrassed or ashamed, but that you get treated.
Your Body, Your Choice
You have the power to prevent STI transmission by talking with your partner, going for regular checkups, and taking the necessary precautions, you can avoid contracting an STI.
- Know your body - for example, know the difference between normal and abnormal discharges from the penis or vagina.
- If you engage in vaginal, anal or oral sex, consider getting tested or screened for STIs, or at least talk with your health care provider.
- If your partner shows symptoms of any STIs - get tested. Chances are you have it, too.
- Taking the necessary precautions, using latex condoms and/or dental dams, not only protects you but also those you care about.
- Remember, abstinence is not only a choice, but is the only way to keep yourself 100% protected from STIs.
- If you decide to have sex, use a latex or polyurethane condom (not natural or lambskin) or dental dam.
- Do not get caught up in the false sense of security that serial monogamy presents. Monogamy is a wonderful concept, but it is no excuse to have unprotected sex. Relationships end and new ones develop. Even if you are consistently faithful to your partner, as you go from one relationship to the next you make yourself vulnerable to infection through all their prior partners, and their partners partners...and so on. You get the point.
Protect One Another!
During the next four to five years:
- 85% of you will earn a degree
- 25% will get a sexually transmitted infection
| STI | What seems to be the problem here? (Symptoms) |
How did this happen? (Transmission) |
What can I do now? (Treatment) |
How can I keep this from happening again? (Prevention) |
Maybe if I ignore it, it will go away. (Denial) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chlamydia | Most patients are asymptomatic. If symptoms arise, they may do so 1-3 weeks after exposure. Men - painful urination and discharge from the penis. Women - vaginal discharge, painful intercourse and urination and bleeding between periods. |
Spread through unprotected intercourse (vaginal, anal and/or oral) with an infected partner. | Antibiotics are effective. Both partners must be treated simultaneously to avoid reinfection. Avoid sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal, and oral) during treatment. | Women - Can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which can damage reproductive organs, leaving a woman infertile. Can also be transmitted to infants during childbirth. Men - Sterility |
Avoid unprotected sex; use condoms (latex, polyurethane) for intercourse and oral sex, as well as dental dams or nonperforated plastic wrap as a barrier if performing oral/vaginal or oral/anal sex. |
| Gonorrhea | Symptoms are similar to those of Chlamydia, with the addition of possible rectal pain and/or a greenish/yellow discharge, sore throat, and conjunctivitis (pink eye). | Spread through unprotected intercourse (vaginal, anal and/or oral) with an infected partner. | Antibiotics (such as penicillin) are the recommended form of treatment. Both partners must be treated simultaneously. Avoid sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal, and oral) during treatment. | If left untreated, gonorrhea can leave both men and women infertile. It can also cause heart problems, blindness, skin disease and arthritis. An infected mother can also transmit it to her infant during childbirth. | Avoid unprotected sex; use condoms (latex, polyurethane) for intercourse and oral sex, as well as dental dams as a barrier if performing oral/vaginal or oral/anal sex. |
| Hepatitis B (HBV) |
Symptoms appear 1-9 months after contact with the virus. Early symptoms include: nausea, tiredness, jaundice, dark urine or light-colored bowel movements. | Spread through unprotected intercourse (vaginal, anal and/or oral) with an infected partner. It is also spread by sharing needles for injecting drugs, steroids, tattoos, acupuncture or any other reason. Spread through contact with infected blood. | Currently, there is no treatment for HBV. Chronic infection may be treated with interferon. | Most people recover completely within 1 or 2 months. Others cannot be cured and remain asymptomatic, but they can still transmit HBV to others. In some cases HBV may lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and ultimately, death. | Vaccination (self or sexual partner). Avoid having unprotected intercourse (vaginal, anal and oral). Avoid sharing needles for injection. |
| Hepatitis C (HCV) |
Often no symptoms. In some cases, symptoms very mild and unnoticeable, such as fatigue and flu-like symptoms. Infection (like HIV) can be life long. Also, elevated liver enzyme levels. | Spread through blood transfusions, sharing infected needles to inject drugs, using dirty needles in body piercing and tattoos; unprotected sexual intercourse. HCV is a contagious viral disease. | Alpha interferon may help in some circumstances. Other treatments are being developed. Talk with your health care provider. | HCV can lead to serious, permanent liver damage; sometimes fatal, and is easily spread. | Avoid unprotected sex. Avoid sharing needles for injection. |
| Herpes | Pink bumps or fluid-filled sores that may itch, tingle, burn, or are painful. Other symptoms include: swollen glands, muscle aches, burning sensation when urinating, mild or unusual vaginal discharge and pain during intercourse (for both men and women). | Coming into contact with sores or an infected area when infection is in its inactive phase. Sexual contact is not necessary. | Herpes can be treated but not cured. Antiviral medications can be used to shorten the course of outbreaks to prevent recurrent outbreaks. Sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal, and oral) should be avoided during an active outbreak. | In most healthy adults, there will be no long-term deteriorating effects. Rarely, an infected mother may transmit it to her infant during childbirth, which may lead to severe brain damage, or death of the infant. | Avoid contact with infected area when the virus is in its active phase. Condoms and other barrier methods do not offer complete protection because lesions may be present in uncovered areas (thighs, vulva, testicles). Virus is also shed when asymptomatic. |
| HIV/AIDS | Symptoms may not be present for a number of years after contracting HIV. Symptoms include: rapid weight loss, tiredness, night sweats, persistent flu symptoms, diarrhea, white spots in mouth, swollen lymph nodes and pink/purple bumps on body and in mouth. | Spread through unprotected intercourse (vaginal, anal and/or oral) with an infected partner. It is also spread by sharing needles for injecting drugs, steroids, tattoos, acupuncture or any other reason. Spread through contact with infected blood or breast milk, semen, and vaginal fluid. | There is no cure for HIV or AIDS. There are treatments to slow down the deterioration of the immune system. Early treatment with new drug protocols shows promising results in some cases. | HIV causes a breakdown of the immune system that will lead to AIDS, and ultimately, death. | Avoid unprotected sex; use condoms (latex, polyurethane) for intercourse and oral sex, as well as dental dams as a barrier if performing vaginal or oral/anal sex. Avoid sharing needles for injection. |
| Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)/ Genital Warts |
Signs are obvious in some patients. They may be small fleshy growths that have an irregular, cauliflower-like surface, or they may simply be small flat warts. Warts may be found in, on, or around cervix and genitalia, as well as in the mouth and throat. Often no noticeable symptoms. Pap smears are helpful to diagnose HPV on the cervix. | Sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal, and oral sex) is the common method of transmitting the virus. The virus that causes genital warts can be contracted by simply touching an infected persons lesions. | A self-applied topical prescription medicine, Aldara, may be used on warts that appear outside the body. Other treatments include topical solution of Trichloroacetic acid, or podophycllin cryotherapy (freezing) electrocautery (burning), and laser surgery. | Warts will continue to grow and become harderto remove. Mothers can pass genital warts to their infants during childbirth. There is evidence that HPV plays a role in the development of certain types of cancers. | You will have to completely avoid coming into contact with any infected tissue. Safer sex practices, such as condoms and other barrier methods, give only partial protection. If warts are present in the genital area, remain ABSTINENT until treated. |
| Trichomoniasis (Trich) |
Symptoms usually appear between 3 and 28 days after infection. Symptoms may include abnormal vaginal discharge yellow to green in color with a foul odor. It is often irritating causing redness, swelling and itching of the vulva. May also cause painful urination and intercourse and/or pelvic discomfort. | Trich is caused by a tiny one-celled organism that is usually transmitted through sexual intercourse. It may occasionally be picked up from wet towels, underwear, or shared sex toys that have not been cleaned. | Treatment will include a antibiotic/antiprotozal that is taken orally in a single dose or over several days. Avoid sexual intercourse until both partners have been treated. | If left untreated, trich may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), premature labor, low birth weight, and increased risk for infection with other STIs. | Use a condom; avoid sexual contact if infection is suspected; clean your sex toys with soap and water and let dry thoroughly. If you suspect infection, seek treatment as soon as possible for you and your partner. |
| Syphillis | First: Painless ulcerated lesion where infected Second: Flu-like symptoms, rash, patchy hair loss, swollen lymph nodes. | Sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal and oral sex) with an infected partner. Caused by bacteria. | Antibiotics are effective. Both (all) partners need to be treated. Avoid sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal, and oral) during treatment. | If left untreated, will advance to tertiary syphillis - affecting major body organs (skin, bone, spine, brain, heart). Ultimately fatal. | Avoid unprotected sex; use condoms (latex, polyurethane) for intercourse and oral sex, as well as dental dams or nonperforated plastic wrap as a barrier if performing oral/vaginal or oral/anal sex. |
You Are Not Alone
Dealing with an STI can be difficult. It helps to be aware of the available resources. Whether you are looking for more in-depth information regarding certain STIs, or you just want somebody to talk to, there are clinicians, counselors, volunteers, even students who are prepared to help. We are there because you are not the first student to get an STI, and we dont think you will be the last.
| National STD Hotline | 1 800-227-8922 |
| National Herpes Hotline | 1 919-361-8488 |
| National HIV Hotline | 1 800-342-AIDS (2437) |
Here are some of the resources we were telling you about:
On Campus
| Hurtado Health Center (College Avenue Campus) | 732.932.7402x1 |
| Willets Health Center (Douglass / Cook Campus) | 732.932.9805 |
| Busch - Livingston Health Center (Livingston Campus) | 732.445.3250 |
| Newark Health Center | 973.353.5231 |
| Camden Health Center | 856.225.6005 |
Off Campus
| New Brunswick - Middlesex County (STI) Clinic | 732.745.3157 |
| Edison Division of Health - Edison Health Center | 732.248.7277 |
| Woodbridge Division of Health | 732.855.0600 |
| New Jersey STI Clinic (Newark) | 973.648.2444 |
| West Jersey Hospital (Camden) | 856.246.3542 |
Last Modified 12/22/2005