Answer: Currently, there are no home tests for STDs. The only way to know if you have an STD is to see a healthcare provider and get tested.

STD or Sexually Transmitted Disease is spread from one person to another through either sexual contact or sharing body fluids, like blood. There are two categories of STDs: bacterial and viral. Bacterial and viral STDs vary in the way they are treated. Bacterial STDs, like chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, are often cured with antibiotics. Viral STDs, like hepatitis B, HIV and HPV (genital warts), have no cure but can be treated to reduce the chance of long-term complications.

A PAP test is a simple and relatively painless test that obtains cells from a woman's cervix and a certified cytotechnologist evaluates the cells for abnormalities which may be indicative of cervical cancer. STD testing involves a variety of laboratory tests, depending on which disease is suspected, and is done to determine the presence of sexually transmitted disease.

STDs are very common in the United States. With more than 12 million people in the U.S. infected each year, at least 1 person in 4 will be infected with a STD at some point in his or her life. In the United States, there is approximately 4 million new chlamydia infections a year, over 40 million people have herpes and 30 million have genital warts.

STDs can be transmitted through oral, anal or vaginal sex. They can be transmitted from partner to partner with or without visible signs or symptoms. Many people can pass an STD to a sex partner without knowing it. Some STDs can be passed without having intercourse; they can be passed through skin-to-skin contact in the genital area.

In general any STD advice you can get on a hobbyist forum / board will be of questionable value (including right here). Seek advice / facts from medical professionals. In general though common sense dictates that the hobby is inherently risky. You have to weigh the risks against the benefits, figure out the cogent considerations and make your own decisions. Some useful resources in making good decisions include:

Answer: Bacterial STDs like chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, can be easily treated and cured. Viral STDs like herpes, genital warts, and HIV are incurable, but there are treatments available to lessen the severity of the disease.

Answer: If left untreated, STDs can lead to major health problems. HIV can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). Other STDs can cause infertility, tubal pregnancy, reproductive cancers, pelvic inflammatory disease, and serious complications in newborns. Complications from STDs often occur years after infection.

Whether or not you will have to pay out of pocket for the testing depends on whay type of health insurance you have. Please review your health insurance policy for coverage details. back to top^

Call the California HIV/AIDS Hotline at 800/367-AIDS (English/Spanish). TDD: 888/225-AIDS. For more information about the hotline, click here.

STDs are dangerous. If someone is engaging in any form of sexual activity (oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse, or genital skin-to-skin contact) they are at risk for contracting an STD. There are two types of STDs-viral and bacterial. Bacterial infections can be cured if they are treated in time. If the disease is not caught at an early stage it can cause long-term damage in a person's body. Unlike bacterial infections, viral infections are not curable and remain with you for life.

Studies show that 1 in 4 sexually active teenagers contract an STD. In 2004, it was estimated that in the year 2000 there were: About half of new cases occurred among 15-24 year olds. Three STDs (Human Papilloma Virus, Trichomoniasis, and Chlamydia) accounted for 88% of all new cases of STD among 15 to 24 year olds

The main difference between these two categories of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is what causes them -- bacterial STDs are caused by bacteria and viral STDs are caused by viruses. As a result of being caused by different microorganisms, bacterial and viral STDs vary in their treatment. Bacterial STDs, such as gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia, are often cured with antibiotics.

The term "sexually transmitted diseases" or "STDs" represents a group of more than 25 different diseases that can be passed from one person to another through sexual contact.

Many STDs have no noticeable symptoms. When they occur, typical STD symptoms for women may include unusual vaginal discharge (flow), sores, bumps, burning when urinating, and redness or itching around the vaginal area. Typical symptoms for men may include discharge from the penis, burning when urinating, and sores, bumps, or redness on or around the penis.

Most STDs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, and genital warts, are spread only through direct sexual contact with an infected person. Crabs (pubic lice) or scabies, which are often sexually transmitted, can be passed through contact with infested items like clothes, sheets, or towels.