Did you know that the most common symptoms for an STI (sexually transmitted infection) are no symptoms whatsoever? That’s right. Many people who contract an STI do not experience any symptoms or only experience mild symptoms.

Sexually transmitted infections adversely affect your health, whether you experience symptoms or not. So, how are you supposed to know if you have an STI?

Certain risk factors increase your chances of being exposed to an STI. If you are sexually active, you are at risk of contracting an STI and should be aware of the resources available to prevent, test for, and treat STIs.

At Selah, we perform free limited STI testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. We test both men and women.

What is the difference between an STI and an STD?

STI stands for “sexually transmitted infection.” STD stands for “sexually transmitted disease.” A sexually transmitted infection (STI) is a virus, bacteria, fungus, or parasite people can get through sexual contact. Sexual contact can be oral, anal, or vaginal sex or contact with other body fluids. A sexually transmitted disease (STD) develops because an STI has led to some symptom of disease.

Some STIs are easily treatable. Some cannot be cured but medications could make their course less severe. If left untreated, STIs can cause severe health complications, including infertility for women.

Common Symptoms of STIs

If you experience symptoms as a result of an STI, they will probably include one or more of the following:

• Pain during sex
• Fever
• Pain in the lower abdomen
• Bumps or sores on the genitals, oral, or rectal area
• Painful or burning urination
• Discharge from the penis
• Irregular or odorous vaginal discharge
• Irregular vaginal bleeding
• Blood in the urine
• Sore, swollen lymph nodes, usually in the groin
• Rash on hands, feet, or trunk

When to Get Tested for an STI

You will want to get tested for STIs if you have recently had unprotected sex, have recently changed partners, or are considering scheduling an abortion. It is always in your best interest to get tested. The sooner you diagnose and treat an STI, the more likely you are to avoid the most adverse effects of the STI.

It is essential to test for sexually transmitted infections if you are considering an abortion since the presence of STIs can increase your risk of contracting Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), a severe medical condition caused by untreated STIs. This condition can lead to infertility in women.

SELAH does not offer or provide referrals for abortion services. Alternatively, SELAH offers free pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and other support services to serve women and families facing an unexpected pregnancy. All services offered at SELAH are provided at no cost to the client.