### Common Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Their Treatments #### Human Papillomavirus (HPV) - **Transmission**: Vaginal, anal, or oral sex; skin-to-skin contact. - **Symptoms**: Often no symptoms; can cause genital warts, and cancers of the cervix, penis, mouth, or throat. - **Treatment**: No cure, but Gardasil-9 vaccine can prevent nine types of HPV. Pap smears can detect cervical cancer early. #### Chlamydia - **Transmission**: Vaginal, anal, or oral sex. - **Symptoms**: Unusual discharge, pain or burning during urination; often asymptomatic. - **Treatment**: Antibiotics. Retesting recommended after treatment. #### Gonorrhea - **Transmission**: Vaginal, anal, or oral sex. - **Symptoms**: Unusual discharge, pain or burning during urination; often asymptomatic in women. - **Treatment**: Antibiotics. #### Syphilis - **Transmission**: Vaginal, anal, or oral sex; skin-to-skin contact. - **Symptoms**: Sore in primary stage, rash in secondary stage, latent stage with no symptoms, late stage can cause organ and nerve damage. - **Treatment**: Antibiotics, more effective if treated early. #### Herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2) - **Transmission**: Skin-to-skin contact, including areas not covered by condoms. - **Symptoms**: Painful blisters around genitals or anus; often asymptomatic. - **Treatment**: No cure, but medication can manage symptoms. #### Trichomoniasis - **Transmission**: Penis-vagina contact; genital contact between women. - **Symptoms**: Itching, burning, sore genitals, smelly discharge; often asymptomatic. - **Treatment**: Antibiotics. Retesting recommended after treatment. #### HIV - **Transmission**: Body fluids like blood, semen, vaginal fluids, breast milk; vaginal or anal intercourse, sharing needles. - **Symptoms**: Flu-like symptoms, weight loss, diarrhea; often asymptomatic. - **Treatment**: No cure, but antiretroviral drugs can help manage the virus and prolong life.