Viral STIs
Viral STIs
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Viral STIs are caused by contracting (getting) a virus from another person or source that also has that virus. Viruses are not curable, but can be treated with medication for symptom management, and in some cases can be prevented through vaccines. With proper treatment and management, people with viral STIs can engage in all types of sexual behaviors and relationships.
There are six types of viral STIs:
There are six types of viral STIs:
"Genital warts look like skin-colored or whitish bumps that show up on your vulva, vagina, cervix, penis, scrotum, or anus. They kind of look like little pieces of cauliflower. You can have just one wart or a bunch of them, and they can be big or small. They might be itchy, but most of the time they don’t hurt." (Planned Parenthood)
More information about genital warts
Genital warts are certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) and they show up on the skin around your genitals and anus.
Some types of HPV can cause cancer, but they’re NOT the same kinds that give you genital warts.
Genital warts are common — about 360,000 people get them each year.
How does Genital Warts transmit?
Similar to how other HPV viruses are spread, genital warts are transmitted through skin to skin contact. It is most commonly spread during vaginal or anal sex. It also spreads through close skin-to-skin touching during sex.
You’re more likely to pass genital warts when you’re having symptoms. So if you notice a wart, it’s best to get tested and treated to help lower the risk of passing genital warts on to a partner.
Warts typically appear within 3 weeks to 6 months after sexual contact with an infected person, but they can also take years to appear. This time period makes it difficult to track the infection as it's passed from one partner to the next.
However, genital warts are different from warts you might get elsewhere on your body. It can’t be transmitted by touching yourself (or a partner) with a wart that’s on your hand or foot.
Additional Information about Genital Wart
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B
Not all people newly infected with HBV have symptoms, but for those that do, symptoms can include:
fatigue
poor appetite
stomach pain
nausea
jaundice
For Many Hepatitis B is a short-term illness and for others, it can become a long-term, chronic infection that can lead to serious, even life-threatening health issues like liver disease or liver cancer.
More information about Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is an infection in the liver caused by the Hepatitis B virus. Though not commonly thought of as a STI, Hepatitis B is often spread through sexual activity.
“About 50% of people infected with Hepatitis B do not know they are infected and can pass the virus on to others. 10% of people infected with Hepatitis B become carriers of the virus. A carrier has the virus in their body the rest of their lives and can transmit the virus to other sexual partners, but doesn't necessarily develop any further health complications.” (CDC, 2023)
How is Hep B transmitted?
Hepatitis B is spread when blood, semen, or other body fluids from a person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. This can happen through sexual contact; sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment; or during pregnancy or delivery.
When should I get tested?
“If you’re showing any signs of hepatitis B, you should get tested. It’s also a good idea to get a test if you had unprotected sex or shared a needle, razor, or toothbrush with someone who has hepatitis B (even if you don’t have symptoms).” (Planned Parenthood)
What should I do to prevent a Hepatitis B exposure?
get the hbv vaccine
practicing safer sex
get tested regularly
learn more about hep b exposure and treatment
More information on Hep B
HIV / AIDS
HIV / AIDS
Early symptoms of HIV infection may include cough, body aches, headaches, nasal congestion, and sore throat. These symptoms (but not the virus) usually go away on their own and can be mistaken for flu-like illness. It is important to get tested to know for sure if the HIV virus is contracted.
Follow the link to learn more about later symptoms of HIV and AIDS symptoms
More information about HIV / AIDS
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system and makes it harder for your body to fight off illness. Long term HIV attacks your CD4 cells or “T Cells” which protect your body from infections. AIDS can occur due to the damage done to your immune system by HIV, when your body cannot adequately protect itself from illnesses and infections. AIDS is not a single disease but a collection of symptoms caused by opportunistic infections and/or cancers.
Today, with the treatments and medications available people can treat and maintain their HIV without it developing into AIDS or being able to transmit HIV to sexual partners. While there is no cure for people infected with HIV, people who get effective treatment can live long, healthy, sexually active lives with HIV (that does not develop into AIDS). Follow the link to learn more about living with HIV.
How is HIV transmitted?
HIV is commonly spread by:
having unprotected sexual intercourse with someone who has the virus
getting hiv-infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions into open wounds or sores
sharing needles or syringes with someone who has the virus
being deeply punctured with a needle or surgical instrument contaminated with the virus
passing from a parent to an infant during pregnancy, birth, or breast feeding.
receiving transfusions of blood products donated by someone who has the virus
(although the risk of transmitting HIV by a screened blood transfusion is practically nonexistent. Since 1985, the US blood supply has been screened for HIV and is believed to be very safe.)
For more information about HIV transmission follow the link.
More information on HIV/AIDS
Herpes
Herpes
The most common symptoms of herpes are:
Sores or blisters on or around the genitals, rectum or mouth
Flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever, body aches, or swollen glands) also may occur during the first outbreak
Repeated outbreaks are to be expected, though usually milder and of shorter duration than the initial outbreak
More information about herpes
Herpes is a very common infection in the mouth and/or genitals that happens to most Americans (about 1 out of 6 Americans has genital herpes). Herpes is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). There are two types of the Herpes Simplex Virus:
Herpes Simplex Type 1 (HSV-1)
most commonly causes cold sores or fever blisters in and near the mouth, therefore it is generally called oral herpes
Herpes Simplex Type 2 (HSV-2)
causes lesions in the genital area and is responsible for two-thirds of new genital infections. Gential herpes is only very rarely the cause of oral infections.
How is Herpes transmitted?
Herpes is transmitted through skin to skin contact. Ejaculation or body fluid is not needed for the virus to transmit. A quick skin to skin contact with someone who has Herpes may spread the virus.
Herpes may be spread through:
kissing
oral sex
anal sex
vaginal sex
Herpes is most contagious when sores are open and wet, due to the fluid from herpes blisters easily spreads the virus. Herpes can also “shed” and be spread even if the person with the virus didn’t develop sores or blisters.
While it is easy for herpes to spread, the virus dies quickly outside the body. Therefore you can’t get herpes from hugging, holding hands, coughing, sneezing, or sitting on toilet seats.
Symptoms of Herpes
The most common symptoms of herpes are:
Sores or blisters on or around the genitals, rectum or mouth
Flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever, body aches, or swollen glands) also may occur during the first outbreak
Initial primary infection: usually occurs 2 to 10 days after the virus enters the body. Other symptoms may include:
painful blisters on the genitals (including the anus), thighs or buttocks that eventually crust over and are completely healed in 2 to 4 weeks
fever
vaginal discharge
discharge from the urethra
general discomfort, muscle aches, and headaches
painful urination or difficulty urinating
pain with intercourse
itching
People who experience an initial outbreak of herpes can have repeated outbreaks, especially if they have genital herpes. While genital herpes is a lifelong infection, the number of outbreaks may decrease over time. Symptoms are usually milder and of shorter duration than the initial outbreak. Symptoms may include:
Localized tingling and irritation (known as prodrome) 12 to 24 hours prior to the appearance of blisters. This symptom occurs in 50% of all cases.
Painful genital lesions lasting 4 to 6 days
Vaginal discharge is a rare symptom in a recurrent infection
Treatment of Herpes
Treatment of Herpes
Although there is no cure, herpes is a very manageable infection with antiviral medication. Early treatment with antivirals may shorten the course of the painful skin lesions and reduce viral shedding and lessen the chance of transmitting the virus to a sexual partner.
Additional information about Herpes
HPV
HPV
Most people who are affected by HPV do not show symptoms. Most people who have a high-risk type of HPV will never show any signs of the infection until it’s already caused serious health problems.
Other types of HPV cause visible genital warts. The growths are typically soft, moist, pink or red swellings and are usually painless but may itch.
These growths may develop inside the vagina, on the lips of the vagina, on the penis, on the scrotum or around the anus.
It is very rare that growths can be found in the mouth or the throat.
Testing is the only way to know for sure if you’re at risk for cancer from a high-risk type HPV infection.
More information about HPV
Human Papillomavirus (HPV), is a group of more than 200 viruses. Around 40 kinds of HPV virus can be spread during sexual contact.
Most genital HPV infections aren’t harmful and disappear over time. However, some kinds of HPV can lead to genital warts or certain types of cancer. According to the CDC, about 1% of sexually active adults in the US are affected by genital warts.
Among HPV-related cancers, cervical cancer is the most common, with more than 11,000 people getting HPV related cervical cancer each year in the US. HPV can be found during routine cervix cancer screening called a pap smear where abnormal cell growth (dysplasia) on the cervix can be found.
How is HPV transmitted?
HPV is spread by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. It is most commonly spread during vaginal or anal sex. It also spreads through close skin-to-skin touching during sex. A person with HPV can pass the infection to someone even when they have no signs or symptoms.
Additional information about HPV
Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum Contagiosum
For some people symptoms usually appear between 2 to 12 weeks after exposure, yet for others it can take years for symptoms to show up.
Mollusca are firm bumps with a dimple in the center that can be white, translucent, pink, yellow, or flesh-colored. They vary in size from tiny (head of a pin) to large (size of a nickel) and can become red and swollen. Typically found around the lower abdomen, genitals, inner thighs, buttocks, or groin, they may also appear on external genitalia and around the anus.
Lesions can persist for 2 weeks to 4 years, with an average duration of 2 years.
More information about molluscum contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus, a type of poxvirus that causes small bumps on your skin. “Molluscum contagiosum causes small, firm bumps or growths on your skin. They’re usually painless, but sometimes they can be itchy, sore, or swollen.” (Planned Parenthood)
How does Molluscum Contagiosum transmit?
Molluscum contagiosum is passed through close skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the virus. Sex is only one way that you can acquire the virus.
Additionally, contact with contaminated clothing, towels, or toys can also result in infection. It is important to note that the virus can be spread to different parts of the body by touching or scratching the characteristic bumps.
Additional Information about Molluscum Contagiosum
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