An STD (sexually transmitted disease) is an infection you can contract through sexual contact. These infections can cause symptoms, but in many cases they go undetected. It is important to know how to prevent, recognize and treat them.

What is an STD and How to Get It?

An STD is transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse without a condom. STDs can spread through bodily fluids. These include semen, pre-cum and vaginal discharge. They are often found in body fluids such as semen, pre-cum and vaginal discharge. Using a condom can significantly reduce the risk of getting an STD.

Transmission of STDs

STDs can be transmitted through:

• Vaginal intercourse
• Anal intercourse
• Oral sex

It is crucial to know that you can also transmit an STD without visible symptoms.

Symptoms of STDs

STDs can have different symptoms, such as:

• Excessive or abnormal vaginal discharge
• Blood loss outside of menstruation
• Itching or burning sensation at the genitals
• Pain during sex
• Pain when urinating
• Skin rashes, wounds or blisters on or around the genitals

However, it is important to remember that some STDs are asymptomatic, meaning they do not cause symptoms.

Getting and passing on an STI without symptoms

It is a common misconception that you will always see or feel symptoms if you have an STI. In reality, many people can carry an STD and pass it on to others without ever showing any signs or symptoms of the infection. So without feeling any symptoms, you can have an STD and pass one on. Therefore, if you have had unprotected sexual contact with a person, it is wise to get tested! Better safe than sorry!

Various STDs without symptoms

Several STIs can be "silent," meaning they cause no visible or palpable symptoms. Some of these "silent" STIs include:

• Chlamydia: Dit is een van de meest voorkomende soa’s, vooral onder jonge mensen. Veel mensen met chlamydia vertonen geen symptomen, maar kunnen de infectie toch doorgeven aan hun seksuele partners.
• Gonorrhea: This STI can also be present without symptoms, especially in women. Men have symptoms more often than women, but even then, symptoms can be mild and go undetected.
• Genital herpes: Although there may be times when visible and painful blisters are present, there are many carriers of the herpes virus who have never had an outbreak. The virus remains in your body for the rest of your life. And so you can have more frequent outbreaks. There are many people who carry the herpes virus, but never suffer from it. Even then you can transmit it to your sex partners.
• HIV: In de vroege stadia van een HIV-infectie kunnen de symptomen lijken op die van een griep en kunnen ze gemakkelijk worden gemist. Na deze vroege fase kan een persoon jarenlang geen symptomen van HIV vertonen.

Risk of transmission

Just because an STI does not cause symptoms does not mean it cannot be passed on. Unprotected sex, whether vaginal, anal or oral, can increase the risk of transmission of a silent STI.

In addition, it is also possible to transmit certain STIs through non-sexual methods. For example, HIV can be passed through contaminated blood or from mother to child during birth.

Prevention: Protect Yourself

The importance of condoms

Condoms are an effective means of protecting yourself from most STDs. They can be used during vaginal, anal and oral sex. Just make sure you put condoms on properly and use them the right way. See here.

Tips for talking about condom use:

1. Be open and honest: It's your health, so it's okay to make your wishes and boundaries clear.
2. Be prepared: Always carry a condom with you.
3. Find information: You can find more information about safe sex at sense.info.

Testing for STDs

Have you had unprotected sex or are you experiencing symptoms? If so, it is advisable to get tested through an STD test. This can be done anonymously and there are several testing sites available.

Het is zelfs mogelijk om voor de meest voorkomende SOA: chlamydia en gonorroe een resultaat te hebben na 90 minuten! Dit kan ook voor trichomonas en HIV. Bespreek de mogelijkheden met de arts/verpleegkundige tijdens je consult!

Where can you go for an STD test?

• OneDayClinic offers anonymous STD testing. You can easily make an appointment through our website.
• You can visit the following testing locations:
  • Amsterdam – City Center
  • Amsterdam – South
  • Rotterdam
  • Utrecht
  • Eindhoven
  • The Hague
  • Nijmegen
  • Enschede
  • Breda

When to call immediately?

On the same day, call the GGD, the family doctor, the GP's office or the hospital emergency room:

• if you have had unprotected sex with someone who may or certainly has hepatitis B or HIV
• check out home doctor for more information.