Four curable sexually transmitted infections - all you need to know
The Weird Place You Can Get An STI That Everyone Can See — It Causes Itching, Swelling And Discharge
This is just swell.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) — which affect one in five Americans — are most commonly found on the genitals, anus and mouth. Now, a professional medical association is warning that another part of the body can become itchy, irritated, crusty and leaky from an STI.
"When gonorrhea infects the eyes, it can cause a form of pink eye with a large amount of pus discharged from the eyes," the American Academy of Ophthalmology recently shared.
STIs affect one in five Americans. HPV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and herpes are among the most common ones. Getty Images Like the genitals and mouth, eyes contain mucous membranes that can be easily invaded by STIs.
Bacteria from gonorrhea and chlamydia can infect the eyes through direct contact with semen or vaginal discharge from an infected person — or a person rubs their eyes after touching infected genital areas.
Redness, itchiness, swelling and a gritty feeling are just some of the symptoms of pink eye. Getty Images Either move can cause conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye.
Symptoms of pink eye include redness, itchiness, swelling, a gritty sensation, tearing, blurred vision and discharge that forms a crust overnight, making it difficult to open your eyes in the morning.
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Pink eye is most commonly caused by an adenovirus, a respiratory virus that typically brings cold-like symptoms.
Bacteria, allergens and irritants like chlorine in swimming pools can also cause pink eye.
Another STI eye infection is ocular syphilis, which develops when the Treponema pallidum bacterium enters the body, usually through sexual contact.
A small cluster of these cases was identified last year in Michigan — the five women shared a male partner.
Ocular syphilis is typically treated with penicillin, while most cases of pink eye go away on their own.
In severe cases, untreated STI eye infections can lead to corneal scarring, inflammation, impaired vision and even permanent vision loss.
See a doctor if you experience pain, sensitivity to light, changes in your vision or very red eyes.
Doctors Issue Serious Warning About Popular New 'snowmanning' Dating Trend That Could Leave You With A Nasty STI
There's a new dating trend that could leave you with a number of harmful sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Everyone likes hopping on a viral new trend, especially when it comes to the dating world in 2024, but your health could be at risk if you try this new festive-themed dating trend.
We've heard of 'sledging' before, but unlike that, which is more to do with social media, this one could lead to you getting gonorrhea or syphilis if you aren't careful.
A moment of spontaneity in the sheets could cost you dearly (Getty Stock Photo)It's called 'snowmanning' and don't be fooled by the name, as it involves a form of ghosting, though only after spending a night in bed together.
What is snowmanning?Snowmanning gets its friendly-sounding name from the idea of your interest in someone 'melting away' in the space of a day, though a recent survey says that 20 percent of Brits have been on the receiving end of it.
This, as well as 80 percent of UK residents admitting to having unprotected sex, could unfortunately lead to an increase in STIs, say experts.
One of these professionals, Dr Crystal Wyllie, at Asda Online Doctor, spoke to The Daily Mail, warned people that those who 'snowman' are gone from your life before exchanging contact details.
The trend could leave you with a world of problems, but there's a simple solution (Getty Stock Photo)It means they could be passing on an STI from previous flings with no way to contact them, spreading it further.
The medical professional has urged people to use contraception, or take STI tests to stay on the safe side.
How does Christmas change our dating habits?A poll from the publication revealed of 2,000 Brits, over a third admitted to having casual sex during Christmas week, with 21 percent saying they were ignored the next day.
26 percent of them meet up with a former flame from their past, while 26 percent look for a hookup at work or on a night out.
Worryingly, 15 percent admitted to making impulsive decisions about sex while drinking, which could lead to unplanned pregnancies and possibly STIs from these spontaneous sexcapades.
Dr Wyllie explained: "December is a time of celebration and connection, but it's important to stay informed about sexual health.
"Planning ahead with contraception, or accessing support after unplanned sexual activity, is key to enjoying the festive season while staying safe."
This comes at the same time of the decline in condom use, as data reveals that 401,800 STI cases were diagnosed in England last year, an increase of a third from 2020.
You might be left with no way to get in contact with the person that 'snowmanned' you (Getty Stock Photo)Though some say it's due to a change in trends post-lockdown, with condomless sex surging in popularity, STIs are no joke, and can lead to serious health issues if left untreated.
Chronic pain or pelvic inflammatory disease are a possibility, while STIs such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea can even lead to infertility.
Syphilis could result in neurological or cardiovascular issues as well.
What should you do if you think you might have an STI?The NHS advises Brits to wait 14 days after a risky sexual encounter before testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, though if you're testing for syphilis or HIV, you should wait four weeks, giving pathogens time to reach detectable levels.
Though they can be easy to treat, you should pay attention to symptoms before getting tested, such as discharge, itchiness, a burning feeling when you pee, and bleeding after sex.
They highlight that wearing a condom is the best way to protect yourself from STIs.
STI Test Options In 2025: Free, Low Cost, At-Home, And More
Price and access to a doctor's office shouldn't prevent you from getting tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Some may be purchased with HSA/FSA. Here are resources to help you stay on top of your health.
Cost and access to testing facilities shouldn't be obstacles to managing your health.
There are plenty of free or lower cost and convenient ways to get tested for STIs — some of which you don't even have to leave home for. This makes getting tested regularly easier.
Below, we break down your options for at-home and in-person testing, including some of the best free and lower cost testing locations in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., so you have access to testing no matter where you are.
Fear that someone — be it a parent, a partner, or someone else — might find out about the test or its results keeps many folks from accessing sexual healthcare.
But all information, including test results, shared with a doctor or other healthcare professional is confidential.
Any personal information that your healthcare professionals asks for is used to give you the best possible care and to contact you about your results.
All information shared with a doctor or other healthcare professional is confidential.
Minors can consent to STI testing in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. However, 18 states do allow doctors and other healthcare professionals to inform guardians that a minor sought STI services.
No state requires that healthcare professionals notify guardians about STI testing — as long as the minor is over the age of 12, in specific states.
It depends. STI testing can be free or hundreds of dollars. How much you pay depends on:
Some insurance plans, including Medicare, and certain government programs may cover part or all of the cost of STI testing. In some areas, it's possible to get free STI tests.
If you need a lower cost testing option, you may be able to find testing for about $40. As a general rule, local Planned Parenthoods, health clinics, local health departments, and mobile testing clinics are going to be cheaper than a visit to an OB-GYN or urgent care.
While at-home STI tests can be convenient, private, and more accessible for people without reliable transportation, they're generally more costly.
You can usually find a test kit that screens for one or two STIs for under $80; however, full panel tests can cost hundreds of dollars. For example, this 14-panel test costs more than $300.
The CDC has extensive recommendations for when to get tested based on disease and population. Health expert and author Sherry A. Ross, MD, states that "folks of all genders and sexual orientations should be tested once a year, after unprotected sex, or in between new partners — whichever comes first."
It's a good idea to get tested anytime you have sex without barrier methods with someone who has an STI or whose STI status you don't know. The same goes if the condom or dental dam split or slipped off during anal, oral, or vaginal sex.
If you have had sex without a barrier method, experts recommend getting tested at least 2 weeks after the event, and again at about 3 months after potential exposure.
You and your partner(s) should each get tested before you go without a barrier or intentionally swap bodily fluids (aka fluid bond).
"You should also get tested if you suspect that your partner has been cheating on you," added Kecia Gaither, MD, double board certified in OB-GYN and maternal-fetal medicine, and director of perinatal services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln.
A healthcare professional will administer certain types of STI testing depending on a few factors, such as:
Based on this information, a healthcare professional may give one or more of the following tests:
Generally, a healthcare professional will wait until they have the results from all the STI tests performed to call you. If you still haven't heard back after a week, don't assume the test(s) was negative. Call to learn your results.
If you opt for an at-home test, results may be available for you to view online in a couple of business days or up to 1 week, depending on the company you choose.
How to read your results
Generally, you'll get your results from in-person STI testing back in about 5 to 10 days, depending on the clinic and which STI(s) you're testing for. Some rapid HIV tests can provide results in under 30 minutes. If you choose an at-home test, results will typically be uploaded to an online portal in about a week.
You'll get a separate result for every STI that you get tested for. That means you might get negative results across the board. Or you might test positive for one (or more) STIs, or what's known as co-infection.
"Some STIs can make you more susceptible to other STIs," Ross said.
If you tested negative for all STIs, you don't need treatment, but continue to use barrier methods during any sexual activity.
There are a number of direct-to-consumer health test companies that offer STI tests you can take in the privacy of your own home.
These kits require you to collect your own sample (blood, urine, or swab, depending on the test). Once you're finished handling your collection, you'll package and ship it to the lab for testing using the provided labels. After the lab analyzes your sample, you'll get results back in about a week.
These kits are a great option if you don't have access to an in-person facility.
One thing to note is that these kits can be less accurate than in-clinic testing and results may be inconclusive. This is because they rely on you to collect your own sample, which can be difficult to do. If you collect the sample incorrectly, it can negatively affect the results.
To increase the chances of accuracy, look for kits that are CLIA certified and CAP accredited. This means they meet quality standards for laboratory testing and are considered reliable. If you're unsure about your results or you suspect they're inaccurate, it's important to talk with a healthcare professional to get additional testing.
These are some of our recommendations for at-home test kits.
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In-person testing is available in every state and can lead to quick treatment. Here are some starting points for finding a test location near you.
Local health departments
Thanks to federal and state funding, most city and county health departments are able to offer free or lower cost STI testing. They also test for most STIs, including HIV, herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and more.
You can find information about your local health department on the CDC. Enter your ZIP code. Answer the few prompts, including if you need free or low cost testing, and find a center near you.
Planned Parenthood locations
Planned Parenthood clinics receive some government funds and base their fees on a sliding scale, meaning what you pay depends on your personal income, demographic factors, and assistance eligibility.
If you have a lower income household, it's very possible that you won't have to pay anything.
Find the Planned Parenthood closest to you by entering your ZIP code, city, or state.
Nonprofit organizations
Some local nonprofit organizations run health clinics that provide STI testing.
What STI tests are available will vary from city to city and clinic to clinic, but most will test (at the very least) for:
Because these clinics usually receive money from federal grants, donations, and fundraisers, testing is completely free or available at a much lower cost.
To find one near you, try Googling "sexual health clinic near me" or "[insert your city here] STI testing clinic."
Mobile clinics
Mobile clinics travel through rural and urban areas to offer high quality healthcare at a lower cost. STI testing and treatment is one of the many services they typically offer.
College and university health centers
Call your school's health center to learn what STIs they're able to test for.
LGBTQIA+ centers
Most medium and large cities have local LGBTQIA+ centers that either:
You can find an LGBTQIA+-friendly testing center through one of the following means:
Urgent care clinic
This is a great option if you want to get tested right away. Most local walk-in clinics offer STI testing.
Avoid crisis pregnancy centersAvoid crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) when seeking out STI testing. These nonprofit organizations ignore prevailing medical standards of sexual and reproductive healthcare and aim to prevent individuals who are able to become pregnant from accessing abortion.
While some CPCs do test for STIs, very few actually offer treatment for a positive diagnosis.
Make sure the clinic you're considering isn't a CPC by entering the location into the Crisis Pregnancy Center Map.
Regular testing for STIs shouldn't be limited to having money or being in a certain location.
Search for Planned Parenthood centers near you, or check out your nearest health department for testing options.
If you have questions like, "What should I do next if I test positive for an STI?" or "How long does treatment take?" the healthcare professional doing the testing is your best bet.
For helpful resources about testing positive, check out:
Last but not least, remember that you can ask your doctor or other healthcare professional for additional support. For example, if you need help sharing your positive test results with your sexual partner(s), your healthcare professional can notify them anonymously.
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