Symptoms: Most people with this infection have no  symptoms. If symptoms do develop they appear within two weeks after exposure.

Some women with recurrent vaginal infections may have  chlamydia. An appointment is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis to receive correct  treatment.

The infection may be carried and transmitted for years if  not diagnosed and treated. It can cause infertility in women and men.

Treatment: Prescription antibiotics. All sexual  partner(s) need to be treated, even if their testing is negative.

Genital Herpes: A STI caused by a virus that is transmitted through skin to skin contact. This may be through  genital/genital contact, mouth/genital contact, and hand/genital contact. Cold sores on  the mouth are herpes. Sometimes herpes can be transmitted to another person when symptoms  are not present. This is called asymptomatic transmission caused by viral shedding.

Symptoms: The first episode usually occurs within 2 to 21 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms may include swelling, pain, itching, burning, blisters, and then open sores. As with any other virus there may also be fever, chills, muscle aches, headaches, and tender lymph nodes. Most symptoms will clear within 12 days.

Treatment: Because this is a virus there is no cure, but  prescription antiviral medication is available to shorten the duration of symptoms.  Medication won't rid the virus from the body. This virus often recurs with less  severe symptoms than the initial episode and the antiviral medication can be taken at that  time also.

Gonorrhea: A STI caused by a bacteria transmitted by vaginal, oral, or anal sex.

Symptoms: Usually within 1 to 10 days after exposure. Men  may experience a yellow green penile discharge that stains the underwear, and burning with  urination. Women may have a yellow green vaginal discharge, painful urination, and fever  and abdominal pains if it spreads to the pelvic organs. Untreated gonorrhea can cause  sterility in men and women.

Treatment: Prescription antibiotics. All sexual  partner(s) need to be treated.

HPV: Human Papilloma Virus, also known as Genital Warts or Condyloma Acuminata: a STI caused by a virus  that is transmitted through skin to skin contact.

Symptoms: Growths or bumps that appear on the genital  area in men or women. Often there is no evidence of warts that can be seen but the PAP  smear may show an abnormality. Symptoms may take months or years to appear.

Treatment: A prescription cream which helps your immune  system get rid of visible warts. Sometimes a chemical applied by your health care provider  is used to dissolve the warts. Some types of HPV can cause precancerous or cancerous  conditions of the cervix, vulva, penis, or anus. Annual pap smears in women are important  to help detect any changes related to HPV.

Vaccine: The SHS offers the Gardasil vaccine to help protect against diseases caused by HPV.  Gardasil is for girls and women 9 through 26 years of age.  The vaccine does not substitute for routine cervical cancer screening.  Three doses of the vaccine are needed.  For more information about Gardasil go to www.gardasil.com.

As with all STIs mutual monogamy and consistent  condom use may help reduce the transmission of HPV.

If you have any symptoms of HPV or have had contact with  someone who has HPV you should schedule an appointment with a Women's Health Nurse  Practitioner.

NSU: Non-specific urethritis is an inflammation of the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body). It can be caused by several different organisms and is seen in both men and women.

Symptoms: Symptoms may not be present at all.  If symptoms develop, they occur one to three weeks after sexual intercourse with an infected partner.  Symptoms for women may include: irritation in the genital area, increased vaginal discharge or odor from the vagina, frequent urination or pain/burning during urination, low-grade fever, pain in the lower abdomen, bleeding between menstrual cycles or increased menstrual flow.  Symptoms for men may include: discharge from the penis, pain or burning during urination, irritation around penis opening, pain in the testicles.

Treatment: NSU is treated with antibiotics.  It is important to finish all the prescribed medicine even if symptoms go away.  If symptoms are still present when medication is finished it is important to return to your health care provider for further evaluation.  If left untreated, NSU can cause infection in the reproductive organs of both men and women leading to permanent damage including infertility.