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The STD Control Program investigates individual cases and clusters of sexually transmitted diseases in San Mateo County; provides treatment for STDs and partner couseling and referral services (PCRS) for County residents with STDs; educates the public and medical providers on management and treatment of STDs; serves as liaison to Federal, State, and other local health authorities in cases of STDs extending across County borders; and monitors the local epidemiology of STDs to identify health problems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Sexually Transmitted Diseases
STD Information by Disease
Sexual Partners: Partner Counseling and Referral Services (PCRS)
Links for More Information on STDs
| Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Sexually Transmitted Diseases |
What is a sexually transmitted disease?
A sexually transmitted disease, or STD, is a disease or infection that can be passed from one person to another by having vaginal, anal and/or oral sex. STDs can be passed with the exchange of semen, vaginal secretions, or blood with another person. Some STDs can also be passed by skin-to-skin contact.
Why is it important to know if you have a STD?
If left untreated, STD infections can cause serious complications that may include: dysuria (painful urination), chronic pelvic pain, infertility (unable to conceive a child), epididymitis in men, pelvic inflammatory disease and/or ectopic pregnancy in women, and an increased risk (up to five times) of transmission of HIV. Other STDs such as syphilis and hepatitis B may cause serious damage to internal organs, like the liver and brain. All of these complications can be prevented with timely and adequate treatment and follow up.
Can I catch an STD just from kissing?
Getting an STD from kissing is not very common, but it can happen. Certain sexually transmitted diseases can be spread through kissing if the STD can manifest itself orally and/or in oral fluids. Herpes can manifest orally--more commonly identified as cold sores--and be transmitted to another person, most likely when there are active sores. Other STDs that are less likely to be transmitted through kissing are HPV (warts) and syphilis (when there is a sore present).
I've heard that having an STD can make it easier to get HIV. Is that true?
Yes, what you have heard is the truth. Some of the problems that STDs cause, such as sores or swelling, may help HIV get into the body if a person comes into contact with HIV. So, having an STD increases a person's risk of getting HIV if they are exposed to it. Studies suggest that having an STD can make it 5 times easier to get HIV!
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| Sexual Partners: Partner Counseling and Referral Services |
Are you positive for a STD or HIV and wondering how to tell your partners? Feeling scared and wondering how to protect those that you've been with? We can help you. We have counselors who can talk with you about some of the ways to tell your partners, family and loved-ones about your STD or HIV results. Call our office at (650) 573-2346. Everything is private and confidential. We will not share your personal medical information with anyone else.
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Links open in new window
American Social Health Association: http://www.ashastd.org
Avert: http://www.avert.org/std.htm
Below the Belt Online: http://www.belowthebeltonline.com
California STD/HIV Prevention Center: http://www.stdhivtraining.org
Community Information Handbook 2007 - San Mateo County:http://cip.plsinfo.org/PDF/CIH2007.pdf
National Network of STD/HIV Prevention Training Centers: http://depts.washington/edu/nnptc/
Partner Notification via the Internet: http://www.inspot.org/gateway.aspx
San Francisco City Clinic: http://www.dph.sf.ca.us/sfcityclinic
Teen Source: http://www.teensource.org
Teen Wire: http://www.teenwire.com
UCSF AIDS Health Program: http://www.ucsf-ahp.org
U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, STD: http://www.cdc.gov/std/default.htm
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updated: 6/13//2008
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