Bacterial STIs

Bacterial STIs are caused by a bacterial organism, and the active infection can be cured. The infection must be treated early, however, to ensure that the damage it caused to the body can be repaired.

There are three types of bacterial STIs:

Gonorrhea

People with Gonorrhea don’t always produce symptoms.

Left untreated Gonorrhea has serious long term impacts, such as possible sterility, arthritis, and heart problems. In people with vaginas and uteruses, gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and ectopic pregnancy. Untreated gonorrhea can increase a person’s risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

90% of people with vaginas who have Gonorrhea may have no symptoms at all.

In people with vaginas, symptoms may include:

burning during urination
yellowish-greenish discharge from the vagina
pain in the pelvic or abdominal area
fever
unusual vaginal bleeding
painful sexual activity
bleeding after sexual activity
swelling or tenderness of the vulva
arthritic pain

People with penises are more likely to have symptoms, but they can also be undetected.

In people with penises, symptoms may include:

burning during urination
yellowish-white discharge from the penis
fever
swollen or painful testicles

Anyone can have a gonorrhea infection in their throat, causing a minor sore throat or no symptoms at all and may also occur in the rectum. Rectal infection symptoms are:

pus-like or bloody discharge
anal itching
soreness
bleeding
painful bowel movements

More information about gonorrhea

Gonorrhea (“The Clap” ) is one of the common bacterial sexually transmitted infections that is cured with antibiotic meds. It is caused by the bacterium neisseria gonorrhoeae and can infect the urethra, mouth, throat, rectum, cervix, uterus, or fallopian tubes.

How does Gonorrhea transmit?

Gonorrhea is spread when infected:

semen (cum)
pre-ejaculate (pre-cum)
vaginal fluids

Is in contact with your genitals, anus, or mouth (externally or internally). Gonorrhea can be passed even if you are engaging in non-penetrative sex (such as, tribbing or if the penis isn’t totally inserted) and are in contact with your partner(s) bodily fluids. You can also get gonorrhea by touching your eye if you have infected fluids on your hand.

Gonorrhea is not transmitted through casual contact, which means you cannot contract it from activities such as:

sharing food or drinks
hugging
holding hands
coughing
sneezing
sharing towels
sitting on toilet seats

How to prevent contracting Gonorrhea?

Using a barrier method (condoms, dental dams, gloves) every time you have sex. Follow the link to learn more about barrier methods.

Additional Information about Gonorrhea

Planned Parenthood Gonorrhea

Center of Disease Control Gonorrhea

Chlamydia

About 90% of people with vaginas and 70% of people with penises have no symptoms until the infection is quite advanced.

Many people with vaginas only discover they have chlamydia when they have a pelvic exam or when a partner develops symptoms. If left untreated, infection can spread from the cervix to the uterus and cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). If PID is not treated, it can cause scarring and sterility.

The symptoms for people with penises may include:

painful, burning sensation during urination
watery or milky discharge from the penis
inflammation of the urinary opening
pain or swelling in the testicles

The symptoms for people with vaginas may include:

vaginal irritation or itching
abnormal vaginal discharge
irregular vaginal bleeding
pelvic pain
nausea
fever
pain during intercourse
painful urination or a frequent need to urinate

More information about chlamydia

Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria chlamydia trachomatis. It is one of the most common STDs/STIs and is easily treated. However, most people are asymptomatic which delays treatment and can lead to serious health complications.

Chlamydia can infect the penis, vagina, cervix, anus, urethra, or eye.

How does Chlamydia transmit?

Chlamydia is spread through fluid contact during vaginal, anal, and oral sex. The infection is carried in vaginal fluids, semen (cum) and pre-ejaculate (pre-cum). Chlamydia can infect the penis, vagina, cervix, anus, urethra, eyes, and throat.

Chlamydia isn’t spread through casual contact, therefore safe behaviors include:

sharing food or drinks
hugging
holding hands
coughing
sneezing
sharing towels
sitting on toilet seats

How to prevent contracting Chlamydia?

Using a barrier method (condoms, dental dams, gloves) every time you have sex. Follow the link to learn more about barrier methods.

Additional Information about Chlamydia

Planned Parenthood Chlamydia

Center of Disease Control Chlamydia

Syphilis

Syphilis has three stages and there are different symptoms that are associated with each stage. The stages may overlap and infected people can experience the symptoms in different sequences.

First stage: 3 weeks to 3 months

a painless sore called a chancre
sore may appear around or in the vagina, on the penis, on the lips or inside the mouth or anus.

The second stage 3 weeks to 3 months after the primary stage

fever
swollen lymph glands
sore throat
patchy hair loss
headaches
weight loss
muscle aches
fatigue
some people experience a rash

Third stage: 3 to 10 years or more after the first and second stages

skin lesions
mental deterioration
loss of balance and vision
loss of sensation
shooting pains in the legs
heart disease

More information about syphilis

Syphilis is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Treponema Pallidum and it is easily treated with antibiotics. Syphilis causes painless sores on your genitals. Syphilis is primarily acquired through direct contact with these sores during sexual activity.

Syphilis sores are very contagious. While easily treatable Syphilis is incredibly dangerous and can result in very serious medical problems including death when left untreated.

How does Syphilis transmit?

Syphilis spreads through skin-to-skin contact, usually during sex, by coming into contact with another person’s sores. Syphilis can be spread even if no one ejaculates (cums). You can have syphilis without knowing it and pass it on to others. Syphilis may also be transmitted during pregnancy from mother to fetus through the placenta.

Syphilis isn’t spread through casual contact, therefore safe behaviors include:

sharing food or drinks
hugging
holding hands
coughing
sneezing
sharing towels
sitting on toilet seats

How to prevent contracting Syphilis?

Using a barrier method (condoms, dental dams, gloves) every time you have sex. Follow the link to learn more about barrier methods.

Additional Information about Syphilis

Planned Parenthood Syphilis
Center of Disease Control Syphilis

Page updated

Report abuse