STDs and HIV

The rate of sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs or STIs) is increasing. Many sexually-transmitted diseases have no symptoms.

Preventing sexually-transmitted diseases and HIV

1. Use condoms.

2. Undergo STD and HIV screening if you have multiple partners, or if you are unsure of your partner’s sexual history.

3.  For most men, screening gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV, syphilis, and type 2 herpes consists of a simple blood test and urine test.

4. If you have not been vaccinated for human papilloma virus (HPV), and you are age 26 or younger, make certain that you undergo the HPV vaccination series (three vaccinations).

5. If you are at high risk for HIV, consider taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent you from contracting HIV.