April is National Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Awareness Month and an opportunity to discuss another important area of health. STIs are infections that are passed between people during sex. They include chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, Human Papillomavirus, trichomonas, genital herpes, and hepatitis, among others. STIs are part of pediatrics because nearly half of new STI infections are in people ages 15-24 years old. 

Each STI is a little different in the symptoms it can cause, but common symptoms are new bumps or sores on or near the genitals, pain or swelling in this area, a new or strange fluid coming from the genitals, or pain with urination. Having any of these symptoms does not definitively mean there is an STI infection, but there is no way to know without testing. Importantly, many STIs cause no symptoms at all, and the only way a person knows they have an infection is through testing. This is why screening tests for STIs are so important – even when someone does not have any symptoms.  

Anyone who has ever had sex can have an STI. Testing and treatment for STIs can be done at your provider’s office, including at the Southern Ute Health Center. Any STI detected needs to be treated to both prevent health effects for the person with the infection and to prevent spread to others. While some STIs are not curable, many are. An STI can only be treated if you first get tested and know you have an infection. 

STIs are preventable. This can be not having sex at all, having fewer sex partners, or talking with partners about STI prevention and getting tested before having sex. Condoms used correctly and every time are essential for anyone having sex to prevent getting infected. 

For more information about STIs, check out http://CDC.gov/std. 

You can make an appointment to be seen at the Southern Ute Health Center for STI prevention, testing, or treatment, or to talk about anything else by calling 970-563-4581.