Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
There are two main categories of STIs: bacterial and viral. Some STIs are not categorized as either, because they are parasitic (like a bug or a tick). You can treat most viral STIs to control symptoms, and bacterial infections can be cured if treated right away. The only way to treat them, though, is to first see a doctor to get a diagnosis. You cannot treat or cure STIs with home remedies or time - in fact, time will only make the symptoms worse or harder to treat! STIs often have no symptoms at all, so the only way to really know if you or your partner has one is to be TESTED FOR THEM!
You can't tell if a person has an STI just by looking at them.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia infects more youth ages 14-24 than any other STI. Chlamydia is also known as the Silent Epidemic because someone infected with it often has no symptoms at all, but can still give it to anyone they have sex with. Testing for Chlamydia is available at all of our clinic sites and is painless. Because Chlamydia is a bacterial infection, it is curable if treated right away.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection. It is sometimes known as The Drip because symptoms can be drippy, discolored discharge from the vagina or penis. Many people experience no symptoms at all. Testing for Gonorrhea is available at most clinic sites and is painless. Because Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection, it is curable if treated right away.
Syphilis
Syphilis has three distinct stages. In the first stage, a person may notice sores on or around the genitals that are painless; many people do not see or feel them at all. Months later, a rash may show up, or some people experience hair loss, fever or sore throat. Finally, the last stage is severe and can take years to develop, which is why it is so important to get tested and treated right away. Some people may develop brain damage or blindness. Because Syphilis is a bacterial infection, it is curable if treated right away.
Herpes
Herpes is a viral infection. Herpes symptoms are small, painful blisters or sores on or around genitals or mouth. Because herpes is a viral infection, it can be treated to control symptoms, but it will stay in a persons body forever. Most people with herpes dont know they have it, but they can still give herpes to anyone they have sex with.
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
HPV is a viral infection, so even if a person is not experiencing symptoms, they can still give it to anyone they have sex with. HPV is the virus that causes Genital Warts - small, fleshy bumps on the genitals, which can get very large and hard to remove. HPV causes over 99% of cervical cancers and is the most common STI in the United States. There is a new vaccine that may prevent cervical cancer caused by HPV. The vaccine, most effective when given before the onset of sexually activity, is given in a series of 3 injections over a six-month period and can be given with other vaccines. The FDA has approved the vaccine to be given to women ages 9 to 26 years.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis is a viral infection that affects your liver. The virus can be spread through unprotected sex, needle sharing, or any other activity where there is contact with blood or genital fluids. Some people have no symptoms, but they can still give the virus to other people without knowing it. There is no cure for Hepatitis, but vaccines for children and adults are available.
HIV / AIDS
HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. You can have HIV in your body for many years and not feel or look sick. HIV slowly makes it harder for your body to fight off diseases. You can get HIV from having sex (vaginal, oral or anal) with someone who has HIV. You can also get it by sharing needles for drugs, or by sharing instruments used for piercing or tattoos. If you are pregnant and have HIV, you can give it to your baby before or during birth and when you breast feed. HIV is spread through five body fluids: blood, semen (cum), pre-cum, vaginal fluid and breast milk.
To avoid infection, don't do things that put you in contact with the human fluids that can carry HIV. Be smart in what you do:
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Use a new (not expired) latex condom every time you have any kind of sex;
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Limit your number of partners;
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Talk openly with your partner(s) about each others sexual history, whether either have HIV, and steps you will take to prevent infection;
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Do not use needles, or only use new ones;
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Get tested for HIV and other STIs every six months.
Even though the risk of getting HIV from oral sex is low, there is still a risk. The risk of getting other STIs like Chlamydia or Gonorrhea is greater. Male condoms and dental dams are suggested to help prevent disease transmission from oral sex. Hugging, kissing, shaking hands, sneezing or coughing, sharing eating utensils or food, swimming in a pool DO NOT spread HIV. HIV is a HUMAN virus, meaning you cannot get it from mosquitoes, a dog bite, or anything other than humans.
Routine testing for HIV does not prevent the disease, but will tell you if you have HIV or not. If you get HIV, the virus stays in you whether you feel symptoms or not. A TEST IS THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE HIV. There are different types of HIV tests, but the easiest and quickest is called a rapid oral HIV test. This test can be done by gently running a swab (like a Q-tip) around the inside of your mouth. Then the swab is put in a special solution. You get the test results within 20-40 minutes. Taking a drop of blood from your finger is another way of doing this rapid test. Sometimes your doctor or health care professional will suggest that you have a standard blood test where they take blood from your arm and send it to a laboratory. If it is done this way, the results will be back to your doctor in about one week.
The Saban Free Clinic provides CONFIDENTIAL rapid oral HIV counseling and testing. If you walk in to our clinic without a parent, you must be at least 13 years old. While our records are 100% confidential, you must sign your name on the consent form before we can do the test. A very caring counselor does a private counseling session with you and then gives you the test results. If you have any questions about this test, call our Information Line. We offer rapid HIV testing and counseling free of charge and you do not need an appointment.
Testing times are as follows:
Beverly site:
Monday - Thursday between 9am and 4:15pm and
Fridays between 1 and 4:15pm
Hollywood site:
Monday - Friday between 9am and 4:30pm