What are STDs?
STD stands for Sexually Transmitted Disease (sometimes called Sexually Transmitted Infection). This is an infection which can be caught by having sexual contact with someone who is infected. This can be vaginal, oral or anal sex, although other types of touching can pass some STDs - for example, some STDs (such as Herpes and HPV) can be caught by caught by touching the infected areas of someone's body and then touching your own genitals (private parts). There are quite a lot of different STDs. We have more information about the different STDs and HIV and AIDS.
Aren't STDs only a problem for older people who sleep around?
No. In fact, some STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea are actually more common among teens than among older men and women. And you don't have to sleep around to get an STD, although it can increase your chances of having sex with someone with an STD.
I think I've got an STD! What should I do?
"Someone I've slept with says they have an STD. . ." "I've got some strange symptoms. . ."
Most of the symptoms of STDs can be found either on the genitals or in and around the mouth. Our STD pages will give you more information about symptoms.
If you think you have an STD you should have a test and get treatment. Untreated STDs can be dangerous - if you don't get help, you may not be able to have children later in life, or it can increase your risk of cancer. You may also pass it on to your partner.
Who can I talk to?
It may help you to talk to an adult - perhaps a parent, school nurse or teacher may be able to advise you where you can have an STD test. Or you could ask your family doctor about STD testing.
I'm too shy to go to a clinic for an STD test!
Don't worry. The doctors and nurses who work there are professionals and they do this all the time.
Will they tell my parents?
Most (but not all) clinics have a confidentiality policy, and will not tell anyone, although some places will want you to bring a parent to give consent. You can phone the clinic before you go and find out.
What will they do?
They may take a urine sample, a blood sample or a swab from the vagina or penis. Not all STD testing requires you to have a physical examination, and you might not even have to undress. Ask what they are testing for - it may be a good idea to be tested for everything, if you can. Some places can give you the results on the same day, in other places you may have to wait for a week or more. While you wait, you shouldn't have sexual contact with anyone.
If you find that you do have an STD, it's important that you don't pass on the infection to anyone else. Don't have sexual contact with anyone until you have been treated and are no longer infectious.
If you think that you may already have passed on the infection to someone else, it is important that you tell them so that they can have a test, too. If the clinic gives you antibiotics or medication, make sure that you follow the instructions and complete the course of treatment - otherwise the STD may come back.
So how can I protect myself?
Using condoms during vaginal, oral and anal sex will help to protect you, (see our condoms page). You could also use a female condom (although you shouldn't use both male and female condoms together). However, some STDs (such as oral herpes) can be transmitted in other ways, such as kissing. You shouldn't have sexual contact with anyone who has visible sores or genital rashes.
You can only catch an STD by having sexual contact with someone else who already has an STD. This means that someone who does not have an STD can't infect you, and you can't infect yourself by masturbation.
How can I tell if someone has an STD?
You can't. Some people with STDs may have symptoms that you can see, but many people have no symptoms at all. Someone could have an STD and have no symptoms for months or even years, but still be infectious. Using condoms correctly will reduce your risk of infection.
