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Other STDs: Get the care that fits you

Did you know that human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the most common STD in the United States? Learn more about HPV and other common STDs affecting gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.

Other STDs: Get the care that fits you

Did you know that human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the most common STD in the United States? Learn more about HPV and other common STDs affecting gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.

HPV

If you’ve been diagnosed with HPV, know that you are not alone. Nearly all sexually active people will get the virus at some point in their life.

How is it spread?
HPV is an infection that can cause warts on various parts of the body. It’s spread through anal, vaginal, or oral sex, or through other sexual skin-on-skin contact.

Most people who get HPV don’t develop symptoms and the infection goes away without treatment. However, if HPV stays in your body, the virus can cause genital warts and lead to certain types of cancer.

How do I get tested?
Currently, there is no test that can detect the presence of HPV in men. (There is a test for women.)

Since HPV can cause certain types of cancer, talk to your doctor about getting a regular anal Pap smear—especially if you bottom.

Is there a cure?
There is no cure for HPV. However, if you develop warts caused by HPV, your doctor can diagnose and remove the warts.

If you’re under the age of 26, there is a vaccine for you. Read on!

How do I prevent HPV?
The best way is to prevent HPV is to get vaccinated before becoming sexually active. The HPV vaccine is safe and effective—and is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control for people between the ages of 11 and 26 years.

If you’re under age 26 and have been sexually active, you can still get the vaccine since it may protect against certain strains of the virus.

If you’re over 26, the vaccine may not work since you may already have HPV. Most doctors will not give this vaccine to people over age 26.

Using condoms can also help prevent transmission of HPV (as well as other STDs) but may not provide full protection since the virus can infect areas not covered by condoms.

Learn more about getting tested for HIV, STDs, and hepatitis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Herpes

Herpes is another common STD. Like HPV, most people who become infected with herpes do not show any symptoms, yet they can still pass the virus to partners.

What is herpes?
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is normally spread through kissing or oral sex, and results in cold sores or fever blisters on or around the mouth. HSV-1 is often referred to as “oral herpes.”

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is normally spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and results in sores or blisters on or around the penis, scrotum, anus, or vagina. HSV-2 is often referred to as “genital herpes.”

How is it spread?
You can get either type of herpes through contact with a sore or an area where a sore is developing. It’s also possible to get the virus from a partner who doesn’t show signs of infection.

In addition to bodily contact, there are a few other ways to get the herpes virus. HSV-1 can be passed through saliva while HSV-2 may be transmitted through genital secretions like vaginal fluids and semen. You can also get genital herpes if you have oral sex with a partner who has oral herpes.

There are many myths about how herpes is spread, so let’s dispel a few. You cannot get herpes from toilet seats, bedding, or swimming pools, nor can you get herpes from sharing things like silverware, soap, or towels.

How do I get tested?
Your doctor will examine you and may take a sample from a sore to determine if you have the virus. Your doctor may also order a blood test, yet this type of test is not a good indicator of an outbreak.

Is there a cure?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for herpes. But there are medications your doctor can prescribe to prevent or shorten outbreaks. If you are have herpes, talk to your doctor about treatment, especially if you have a suppressed immune system.