No one thinks it will ever happen to them, but sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and infections (STIs) are more common than you think. If you are sexually active, it is crucial to get tested often. As a patient at Marin Pregnancy Clinic, you will be educated about STDs/STIs and receive confidential testing and treatment.
What Is An STD/STI?
STIs are infections people usually get by having sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) with someone who already has a sexually transmitted infection or disease. According to the latest CDC numbers, it is estimated that 20 million people are infected each year.
Many STIs Have No Symptoms
Did you know you can have a sexually transmitted infection without having symptoms? Many STIs have no signs or symptoms (asymptomatic). A lack of symptoms is one of the reasons people put off testing. Without symptoms, you feel you are safe.
Not all STIs are curable. Bacterial STIs can be cured with antibiotics, but viral STIs cannot.
Current STD Statistics
- There are over 20 types of STDs.
- HPV infects 79 million people.
- Over 7 million Americans became newly infected in 2020 with syphilis.
- At least 50% of sexually active individuals will acquire an HPV infection at some point in their lives. Almost half of these new HPV cases are from ages 15-24. HPV has caused 26,800 new cancers in the body (mouth, throat, vulva, cervix, and others).
- CDC preliminary data shows 2.5 million reported cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in 2021.
Most Common STIs:
- Chlamydia – is the most common bacterial STI in the United States.
- Gonorrhea – is a bacterial STI. Untreated gonorrhea can cause severe and permanent health problems.
- HPV (Human papillomavirus) – is a viral infection. HPV can lead to cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, or penis. It is spread through skin to skin contact. Approximately 8 out of every 10 sexually active women will contract HPV in their lifetime.
- Herpes – is a viral infection. There is no cure for herpes; it can spread even when no sores are present.
- HIV/AIDS – is a viral infection. HIV spreads through blood and sexual secretions. It can also be transmitted through breast milk. Roughly 50,000 new HIV infections occur each year.
- Hepatitis C – Most people have no symptoms. Those who do develop symptoms may have fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, and yellowing of the eyes and skin.
STDs And Pregnancy
Pregnant women should prioritize STD testing and potential treatment, whether they are planning to continue their pregnancy or have an abortion. Treating an STD will help to avoid spreading the infection to other reproductive organs or facing fertility issues in the future. Look at these CDC facts for the latest information regarding pregnancy and STDs. While we do not charge for our services, the laboratories and facilities we contract with do not provide their services free of charge. If you do not have insurance, we may be able to help you. If you are financially eligible for Medi-Cal, we can sign you up for Presumptive Eligibility Medi-Cal at your first appointment.