SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STI)

If a person engages in any sexual activity, she or he risks getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, urethritis, and genital warts. In a study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nationally at least 1 in 4 teenage girls has an STI.

FACTS ABOUT STIs

You cannot “catch” STIs from toilet seats, door knobs, or through casual contact such as handshakes. You can get STIs at any age. If you get HIV or herpes once, you will have it forever; other STIs you can get rid of if you get treatment, but you can get them again and again if you are exposed to them and are not protecting yourself.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS ARE CONTAGIOUS!!!

Most STIs are treatable. Herpes, HIV and genital warts can be treated, but are not curable.

You CAN NOT tell if someone has an STI just by looking at them.