STD Education
What are STDs
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also known as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are very common. STDs pass from one person to another through vaginal, oral, and anal sex. STDs don’t always cause symptoms or may only cause mild symptoms. It is possible to have an infection and not know it. That is why getting an STD test is important if you are having sex. If you receive a positive STD diagnosis, know that all are treatable with medicine, and some are entirely curable. STDs are preventable.
Common Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Click to learn about each STD:
Prevention
Ways you can protect yourself and your sexual partners:
- Abstinence
- The most consistent way to avoid infection is to not have sex (anal, vaginal, or oral).
- Vaccination
- Vaccines are safe, effective, and recommended ways to prevent hepatitis B and HPV.
- Reduce Number of Sex Partners
- Reducing your number of sex partners can decrease your risk for STDs.
- Mutual Monogamy
- Mutual monogamy means that you agree to be sexually active with only one person, who has agreed to be sexually active only with you.
- Use Condoms
- Correct and consistent use of a condom is highly effective in reducing STD transmission. Use a condom every time you have anal, vaginal, or oral sex.
- Get tested for STDs
- Knowing your STD status is an important step to stopping STD transmission.
Prep
PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. PrEP is medicine that reduces your chances of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV when taken as indicated. PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% when taken as prescribed. Among people who inject drugs, it reduces the risk by at least 74% when taken as prescribed. PrEP protects you against HIV but not against other STIs.
PrEP may benefit you if you test negative for HIV and . . .
- You have had anal or vaginal sex in the 6 months, and you:
- Have a sexual partner with HIV (especially if the partner has unknown or detectable viral load),
- Have not consistently used a condom
- Have been diagnosed with an STD in the past 6 months
Or
- You inject drugs
- Have am injection partner with HIV
- Share needles, syringes, or other injection equipment
For more information about PrEP.
Safe Sex Supplies
Through a partnership with the Fulton County Board of Health, SHWC provides free safe sex supplies. Safe sex supplies are available during normal business hours at SHWC. Safe sex supplies can also be found around your campus in the counseling centers, residence halls, and more.
If you would like to request a bulk order of condoms for your organization or program/event, you can request them from SHWC here.
Free Condom kits may also be requested at the local health department. Local health departments will also provide condoms via mail. Instructions to request mail order condoms are listed below.