It’s finally here!
The complete list of STDs!
Every STD that is currently recognized, its signs & symptoms, and treatments!
All in one place!
Now you may be saying to yourself, “that’s a lot of excitement for some STDs.”
And you’d be correct, but what I am really excited about is being able to give y’all a concise table that contains all the information you scour through the internet for.
STDs are part of sexual wellness, and we should not turn a blind eye to them.
They are here to stay, and it is important that you recognize that.
This way, you can take the proper precautions to protect not only yourself but also your partners.
How Do You Get An STD?
Well, duh, you have unprotected sex.
Yes, everyone knows that, but I want to clarify that you don’t just get an STD when you put your dick in someone’s vagina.
The STD, whether it be a bacteria, a parasite, or a virus, is located in the bodily fluids of the infected person.
This means that most STD transmission occurs when you come into contact with bodily fluid.
This fluid includes blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and saliva.
So if you put your dick into someone and see fluid, that is where an STD lives.
STDs can also transmit through blood transfusions, sharing needles with an infected person, and even transfer from mother to child during pregnancy or birth.
Related Article: The Survival Guide to STDs: What They Are & How To Protect Yourself
Difference Between Signs & Symptoms
There is one last thing we need to cover before we jump into the complete list of STDs.
We need to talk about the difference between signs and symptoms is because these two terms are often used interchangeably.
Signs
Signs are objective characteristics that a patient has while experiencing a disease.
These are characteristics that the doctor identifies through testing and physical examination.
Examples of this include (not limited to) rashes and high cholesterol.
Scenario:
Maybe there is a rash on your back that you didn’t know about, and then you go to your doctor, they see it and diagnose it.
It could be a sign of a disease or an STD.
A doctor may require you to do further testing.
Symptoms
Symptoms are subjective characteristics that a patient experiences.
A doctor will not be able to tell if a patient is suffering from a symptom just by looking at them.
The patient needs to say to the doctor that they are experiencing it.
Examples include (not limited to) dizziness and headaches.
Scenario:
You’ve been hooking up with someone for over seven months.
All of a sudden, you are experiencing pain during sex.
You would have to tell your doctor what you are experiencing, and the doctor will then ask you more questions and possibly require some testing to get to the bottom of the issue.
Get it?
If not, that’s okay!
Some sources linked down below go into more depth about the difference between signs and symptoms.
Complete List of STDs
I have broken down the list of STDs into three categories: Bacterial, Viral, and Parasitical.
This way, you can develop a clear understanding of the types of STDs and how they work.
Bacterial STDs are some of the most common ones and transmit through bodily fluids.
Viral STDs cannot be cured and can transfer through bodily fluids or breaks in the skin.
So if you have a cut on your lip and kiss someone who is infected with the herpes virus, there is a chance of contracting herpes.
Parasitic STDs are tiny, microscopic organisms that transfer from one person to the next.
Please keep in mind that this list does not substitute a doctor’s visit!!
If you are experiencing any of the signs and symptoms below, make an appointment with your doctor ASAP!
Now that we have covered the basics let’s jump in!
Scroll Left To View the Full Table ????????
Name | What Is it? | Strain | Curable/ Treatment | Signs & Symptoms | Diagnosed | Potential Issues if left untreated | How is it transmitted? |
Bacterial | |||||||
Chlamydia (Most Common Bacterial STI) | Bacterial Infection | Chlamydia trachomatis | Yes/ Antibiotics | -Asymptomatic; if do have symptoms will develop one to 3 weeks exposure - Pain, and/or from anus - Abnormal vaginal (strong smell or yellow color) -Pain or burning while peeing | 1. Urine Test | 1. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) 2. Cystitis 3. Prostatitis 4. Infertility 5. Scarring of the urethra 6.Epididymitis | Oral, vaginal, or anal sex. Exchange of bodily fluids such as cum, pre-cum, vaginal fluid |
Gonorrhea (aka "the clap" or "the drip") |
| Neisseria gonorrhoeae | Yes/ A single injection of (ceftriaxone) | -Symptoms develop 2 to 5 exposure in males; 10 in females - Pain or burning feeling when you pee |
| 1. Prostatitis 2. Scarring of the urethra 3. Infertility 4.Epididymitis 5. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease 6. Miscarriage 7. Cystitis 8. Chronic pain 9. Ectopic pregnancy | Spread through vagina, anal, oral sex; carried in semen, pre-cum, and vaginal fluid |
Syphilis | Treponema pallidum | Yes/ Antibiotics (usually penicillin) | Primary Stage: A single, painless sore Syphilis sore (chancre) pops up 10 to 90 days post exposure |
| Damage to brain, heart, nervous system, paralysis, blindness, or even death | When vulva, vagina, penis, anus, or mouth comes in with someones chancres sores | |
Nongonococcal Urethritis (NGU) | Infection of the urethra | Trichnomonas vaginalis, Mycoplasma genitalium | Yes/ Antibiotics | In with penises: -Itching, irritation, or tenderness -Abnormal from vagina | 1. Urine 2. Swab | In men: - Epididymitis - Arthritis - Discharge - Skin Lesions -Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases | Passed during vaginal, anal, or oral sex |
Mycoplasma Genitalium (MGen) | of the tract and is passed on through sexual contact | Mycoplasma genitalium | Yes/ Antibiotics | Can be asymptomatic |
| -Can cause urethritis in with penises | Passed through sexual contact |
Parasitical | |||||||
Trichnomoniasis (Trich) | A parasite, trichomona, spreads through sexual | Trichomonas vaginalis | Yes/ Course of antibiotics, usually metronidazole or Tinidazole | -Mostly asymptomatic | Cotton swab from penis or vagina and look under microscope | Increases chances of getting or spreading other STDs including HIV | 1. When genitals come in with bodily fluids that have the parasite |
Pubic Lice (Crabs) | Small parasites attach to the skin and pubic hair (& other coarse hair) and feed on human blood | Lice | Yes/ Easy to use, over-the-counter treatments availble | -Itching near genitals | Can visually see them or your will examine them under a microscope | No serious complications | 1. Spread through sexual because they live in pubic |
Scabies | Infestation of the top layer of caused by tiny parasites called scabies or mites | Sarcoptes scabiei | Yes/ Pills or medicated creams that kill mites or eggs | Appear in pubic or groin areas, shoulder blades, breasts, webbing between fingers... -Rashes | - Microscopic exams of scrapings from suspicious lesion | No serious complications | 1. Transmitted through intimate contact |
Viral | |||||||
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) | Viral Infection that breaks down your immune system and can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) | Human Immunodeficiency Virus | No/ Treatments include | First 2-4 weeks exposure: -Fever -Swollen lymph nodes | 1. Blood work | -If treated early, HIV can become AIDS. | 1. Can be transmitted though blood, sexual fluids (semen, precum, vaginal secretions, anal mucus), or through breast 2. Has to have to or mucous membranes |
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) | A name for a group of viruses that infect the skin that is usually harmless while some can causes genital warts or cancer | 200 types of human papillomavirus | No/ - Colposcopy | - Asymtopmatic | 1. Pap Smear test | -Certain high-risk strains of HPV cause lesions which can develop into cancer | - Spread through sexual skin-to-skin contact |
HSV-1 or HSV-2 (Herpes Simplex Virus) | Viral Infection that cause blisters on the mouth or genitals | Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) | No/ -Medication to heal outbreaks sooner | -Small, painful blisters on the genitals, mouth, or inside of thighs | 1. Sample of fluid from or sore 2. Blood test | Doesn't lead to serious health | Direct -to-skin contact; in the skin allows for the virus to in |
Molluscum Contagiosum | Viral skin infection that causes small bumps or lesions | Molluscum contagiosum virus | Yes/ Most symptoms on their own but lesions can be removed to reduce spreading | -Small, painless lesions | - Visually by of the lesion | Secondary caused by bacteria | Easily spread through sexual or sharing and or |
Hepatitis B | Virus that cause liver disease, spread through sex or sharing personal hygiene | Hepatitis B Virus | No/ Usually goes away by itself -Rest, eat well, get of fluids | -Exhaustion | Blood test | 1. Liver damage | -Contact with semen, vaginal fluid, or blood |
Get Tested
While STDs should not be as taboo and stigmatize as they are, we must start having open conversations about them.
There is so much misinformation circulating about STDs that people use it to shame sexually active individuals and fear-monger the rest of the population.
This is why it is so important to get tested regularly (even if you are in a monogamous relationship).
The last thing you want is to put someone else health at risk because you are afraid.
Trust me, I understand that you may be hesitant to know your status, or you may be frightened of what people will think of you, but I promise you it is better to know.
Getting tested regularly (once every year or every six months) can give you and your partners peace of mind.
To find a clinic near you, click this link provided by Healthline!
Click here to access it(scroll to where it says ‘Testing locations in each state’).
Protect Yourself
Your sexual health, whether you have multiple sex partners, one partner, or no partners, should be your priority (right next to your pleasure).
Make sure to always use condoms, especially during one-night stands and hookups.
And create a plan on how you are going to stay safe during hookups.
This can include bringing your condoms each time (with the correct lube), going on PrEP(speak to your doctor), using birth control, or getting tested after every hookup.
Also, if possible, make sure that you have an open line of communication with whoever you are having sex with.
This way, you both can discuss what safe sexual practices y’all will use.
And have fun! Just because you care about your sexual health doesn’t mean you can’t be wild and freaky!
Related Article: A Beginner’s Guide To Birth Control
Sources
- Healthline | How to Access Free or Low-Cost STI Testing in Each State
- Medical News Today| Why Do Signs and Symptoms Matter?
- World Health Organization| Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
- Healthline| Everything You Need to Know About Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
- Mayo Clinic| Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Symptoms
- Mayo Clinic| Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
- American Sexual Health Association| STDs A to Z
- WebMD | Understanding Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
- Planned Parenthood| STDs
- JAMA| Signs and Symptoms
