---
title: "Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) | Sutter Health"
description: "A sexually transmitted disease (STD) or infection (STI) is serious, sometimes painful, & can cause a lot of damage."
url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/sti"
---

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3.  Sti

# Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Numerous infections are spread by sexual contact. Get tested if you’re sexually active.

* * *

September 27, 2024Medically reviewed by Teens participating in the Summer Wellness Programs

A sexually transmitted infection (STI) is an infection you can get by having sex. Some STIs (such as [gonorrhea](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/gonorrhea "Teens: About Gonorrhea") ;and [chlamydia](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/chlamydia "Teens: About Chlamydia")) infect your sexual and reproductive organs. Others (such as [HIV](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/hiv-aids "Teens: About HIV/AIDS"), hepatitis B and [syphilis](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/syphilis "Teens: About Syphilis")) cause general body infections. STIs used to be called VDs, or venereal diseases.

STIs are very common in people under age 25. If you're sexually active, get tested!

STIs can be transmitted from one person to another during vaginal, anal and oral sex. Some STIs (HIV and hepatitis B) are also spread by contact with infected blood. STIs are not normally spread by digital sex (fingering); however, unclean hands or uncut nails can cause genital problems.

Most STI germs live in warm, moist areas. That's why they infect the mouth, rectum and sex organs (vagina, vulva, penis and testes).

[Abstinence](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/abstinence) and [protection](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/protection) are the best ways to prevent STIs.

Most STIs can be cured if you seek [treatment](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/how-to-treat-sti). Many STIs are asymptomatic, meaning you have no symptoms. However, you still have the STI until you get treated Some STIs cannot be cured.

## Additional Resources

-   **[STD Wizard](http://www.stdwizard.org/ "Please note you are leaving the Sutter Health website.")** — It takes 5 minutes to find out if you need to be tested for an STI such as hepatitis, HIV or chlamydia.
-   **[HIV Rap Interactive](https://www.socio.com/licensed/hivrapinteractive/pamf_contents/13731 "Please note you are leaving the Sutter Health website.")** — Watch a video, answer a quiz to assess your HIV risk or just learn more about sexual health strategies to protect you and your partner using this collection of interactive, multimedia, science-based HIV information, prevention resources and personal stories.
-   **[Know the Risks](https://www.socio.com/licensed/KTR/pamf_contents/11955 "Please note you are leaving the Sutter Health website.")** — This interactive HIV/AIDS Information and Personal Risk Assessment Center can help you to better understand your risks for HIV and learn more about prevention strategies. The survey and learning activities are also available in Spanish.

**Last Reviewed:** September 2019

## Explore related topics

[Teen's health](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/articles?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_healthTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Teen%27s+health%22%5D%7D%2C%7B%22i%22%3A%22builtin.entityType%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Sutter+Health+Page%22%5D%7D%5D&limit=10&verticalKey=health-and-wellness)

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