If you’re sexually active, understanding sexually transmitted infections isn’t optional — it’s essential. Yet most people know surprisingly little about the infections that affect millions of Americans every year. They might recognize a name or two, but when it comes to how these infections actually spread, what symptoms look like (or whether there are symptoms at all), and what happens when they go untreated — there’s a massive knowledge gap.
That gap has real consequences. In 2024, more than 2.2 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were reported nationally, according to CDC provisional surveillance data. Here in New York City, the Williamsburg-Bushwick corridor in Brooklyn was specifically identified as a gonorrhea hotspot in the NYC Health Department’s 2023 STI Surveillance Report. Chlamydia and gonorrhea rates both increased year over year, and congenital syphilis — syphilis passed from a pregnant person to their baby — is a growing public health crisis statewide.
The good news? Most common STIs are treatable, many are completely curable, and all are preventable. Understanding what you’re up against is the first step.
This is Part 2 of our Sexual Health & STI Awareness Series. In Part 1, we covered what to expect during an STI test at urgent care. Now let’s look at the infections themselves — what they are, how they spread, what to watch for, and why early detection at AG Care makes all the difference.
Chlamydia: The “Silent” Infection
Chlamydia is the most commonly reported bacterial STI in the United States and in New York State — with over 109,000 diagnoses statewide in 2023. It earned its reputation as the “silent” infection because the majority of people who have it don’t experience any symptoms at all.
How It Spreads
Chlamydia is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and spreads through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected partner. It can also be passed from a pregnant person to their baby during childbirth.
Symptoms (When They Appear)
Most people have no symptoms. When they do occur, symptoms typically show up 1–3 weeks after exposure:
| In Women | In Men |
|---|---|
| Abnormal vaginal discharge | Discharge from the penis |
| Burning during urination | Burning during urination |
| Bleeding between periods | Pain or swelling in the testicles |
| Pain during sex | Rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding (if rectal infection) |
Why It Matters
Untreated chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women, which can cause chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. In men, it can cause epididymitis (inflammation of the tube that carries sperm), which may also lead to infertility.
Treatment
Chlamydia is completely curable with a course of antibiotics. At AG Care, treatment can often begin the same day as your visit.
Gonorrhea: Rising Rates and Growing Resistance
Gonorrhea is the second most commonly reported bacterial STI in the U.S. In New York State, there were more than 46,000 diagnoses in 2023 — a 6% increase over the previous year. What makes gonorrhea especially concerning is the rise of antibiotic-resistant strains, which limits treatment options.
How It Spreads
Caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, gonorrhea spreads through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It can infect the genitals, rectum, and throat — and many people don’t realize they can have a gonorrhea infection in their throat or rectum with no symptoms.
Symptoms (When They Appear)
Like chlamydia, gonorrhea is frequently asymptomatic, especially in women. When symptoms do appear, they typically develop within 2–14 days:
| In Women | In Men |
|---|---|
| Increased vaginal discharge | White, yellow, or green discharge from the penis |
| Painful urination | Painful or burning sensation during urination |
| Bleeding between periods | Swollen or painful testicles |
| Pelvic pain | Rectal discharge, itching, or soreness |
Why It Matters
Untreated gonorrhea can cause PID and infertility in women, epididymitis in men, and can spread to the blood or joints (disseminated gonococcal infection), which is a medical emergency. Gonorrhea also significantly increases your risk of contracting HIV. The CDC has flagged antimicrobial-resistant gonorrhea as an urgent public health threat.
Treatment
Gonorrhea is curable, but due to rising antibiotic resistance, the CDC now recommends a single 500 mg intramuscular injection of ceftriaxone as the standard treatment. Your AG Care provider will determine the appropriate treatment and schedule a follow-up to confirm the infection has cleared.
Syphilis: The Comeback No One Wanted
Syphilis has been surging across the country — and New York is no exception. According to the NYS Department of Health, primary and secondary syphilis rates among women increased 800% between 2014 and 2023 statewide. Congenital syphilis — when the infection passes from a pregnant person to their baby — has increased 152% over the last five years, with 68 cases reported statewide in 2023 and preliminary 2024 numbers exceeding that count.
How It Spreads
Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum and spreads through direct contact with a syphilis sore (chancre) during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It can also spread through kissing if sores are present on the mouth or lips.
Stages and Symptoms
Syphilis progresses through distinct stages, each with different symptoms:
| Stage | Timeline | Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | 3–6 weeks after exposure | Painless sore (chancre) at infection site; heals on its own in 3–6 weeks |
| Secondary | Weeks to months after primary | Rash (often on palms/soles), fever, sore throat, fatigue, patchy hair loss |
| Latent | Can last years | No visible symptoms — but infection remains in the body |
| Tertiary | Years to decades later | Severe damage to heart, brain, nerves, blood vessels; can be fatal |
The tricky part: because the primary chancre is painless and heals on its own, many people miss it entirely — and the infection progresses silently.
Why It Matters
Untreated syphilis can cause permanent damage to the brain, heart, and nervous system, and can be fatal. During pregnancy, untreated syphilis can result in stillbirth, infant death, or severe birth defects. Syphilis also increases the risk of HIV transmission.
Treatment
Syphilis is completely curable with penicillin injections. The number of doses depends on the stage. Early detection makes treatment simpler and more effective — another reason routine STI testing is so important.
HIV: Early Detection Changes Everything
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) attacks the body’s immune system. Without treatment, it can progress to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). While there is no cure for HIV, modern antiretroviral therapy (ART) allows people living with HIV to have a normal lifespan and achieve an undetectable viral load — meaning they cannot transmit the virus to sexual partners.
How It Spreads
HIV spreads through specific body fluids: blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. The most common transmission routes are unprotected sex and sharing needles.
Symptoms
Many people experience flu-like symptoms 2–4 weeks after infection (called acute HIV infection): fever, chills, rash, night sweats, muscle aches, sore throat, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. After this initial phase, HIV can remain asymptomatic for years while continuing to damage the immune system.
Why It Matters
The earlier HIV is detected, the sooner treatment can begin — and the better the outcome. People who start ART early and maintain an undetectable viral load live long, healthy lives and pose virtually no risk of transmitting HIV to partners (a principle known as U=U, or Undetectable = Untransmittable).
Testing and Prevention
The CDC recommends that everyone aged 13–64 get tested for HIV at least once. AG Care offers HIV testing as part of our standard STI testing panels. For people at higher risk, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a daily medication that is highly effective at preventing HIV infection.
Herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2): More Common Than You Think
Genital herpes is caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2). It’s one of the most common STIs in the world, yet one of the most misunderstood. CDC estimates indicate that roughly 1 in 6 people aged 14–49 in the U.S. has genital herpes.
How It Spreads
Herpes spreads through skin-to-skin contact with an infected area — including during vaginal, anal, and oral sex. It can be transmitted even when there are no visible sores, through a process called viral shedding.
Symptoms
Many people with herpes never have noticeable outbreaks. When symptoms occur, they may include painful blisters or sores on or around the genitals, rectum, or mouth, along with tingling, itching, or burning before sores appear. The first outbreak is usually the most severe; recurrent outbreaks tend to be milder and shorter.
Why It Matters
While herpes is not curable, it is manageable with antiviral medication that reduces the frequency and severity of outbreaks and lowers the risk of transmission. Herpes during pregnancy can pose risks to the newborn if active sores are present during delivery.
Treatment
Antiviral medications like acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir help manage herpes. Your AG Care provider can prescribe a treatment plan that fits your needs.
HPV (Human Papillomavirus): The Most Common STI
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection overall. The CDC estimates that nearly all sexually active people will get HPV at some point in their lives. There are more than 200 types of HPV — most are harmless and clear on their own, but some high-risk strains can cause cancer.
How It Spreads
HPV spreads through intimate skin-to-skin contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Condoms reduce the risk but don’t eliminate it entirely, because HPV can infect areas not covered by a condom.
Symptoms
Most HPV infections cause no symptoms and resolve on their own within two years. Some strains cause genital warts (small bumps on or around the genitals or anus). High-risk strains — particularly HPV 16 and 18 — can lead to cervical, anal, throat, and other cancers if not detected.
Why It Matters
HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer. Regular screening (Pap smears and HPV tests) can catch abnormal cell changes early, before cancer develops.
Prevention
The HPV vaccine is highly effective at preventing infection from the most dangerous strains. It’s recommended for everyone through age 26, with catch-up vaccination available through age 45 for some adults. Talk to your AG Care provider about whether the vaccine is right for you.
Hepatitis B and C: Infections That Affect the Liver
Hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) are viral infections that attack the liver. Both can be transmitted sexually, though HCV is more commonly spread through blood-to-blood contact (such as sharing needles).
Hepatitis B
HBV spreads through sexual contact, shared needles, and from mother to child during birth. Symptoms may include fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) — but many people have no symptoms. A vaccine is available and is highly effective. Chronic HBV is manageable with antiviral medication but not curable. AG Care can test for HBV and administer the vaccine.
Hepatitis C
HCV primarily spreads through blood contact but can also be sexually transmitted, especially during unprotected anal sex. Many people carry HCV for years without symptoms while liver damage progresses silently. The breakthrough news: hepatitis C is now curable with a course of antiviral medication, typically completed in 8–12 weeks. Early detection through testing is key.
Trichomoniasis: The Overlooked Parasite
Trichomoniasis (“trich”) is caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis and is one of the most common curable STIs. It’s more commonly diagnosed in women, but men can carry and transmit it as well.
Symptoms
About 70% of people with trich have no symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they may include itching, burning, redness, or soreness of the genitals, discomfort during urination, and unusual discharge (thin, frothy, yellow-green, with an unusual odor in women).
Treatment
Trichomoniasis is easily curable with a single dose of the antibiotic metronidazole or tinidazole. Both partners should be treated simultaneously to prevent reinfection.
STI Quick-Reference Summary
| STI | Type | Curable? | Vaccine? | Often Asymptomatic? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chlamydia | Bacterial | Yes | No | Yes |
| Gonorrhea | Bacterial | Yes | No | Yes |
| Syphilis | Bacterial | Yes | No | Yes (especially primary stage) |
| HIV | Viral | No (manageable) | No | Yes (after acute phase) |
| Herpes (HSV) | Viral | No (manageable) | No | Yes |
| HPV | Viral | No (often clears on its own) | Yes | Yes |
| Hepatitis B | Viral | No (manageable) | Yes | Yes |
| Hepatitis C | Viral | Yes | No | Yes |
| Trichomoniasis | Parasitic | Yes | No | Yes |
The Common Thread: Most STIs Are Silent
If there’s one takeaway from this guide, it’s this: you cannot rely on symptoms to tell you whether you have an STI. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, herpes, HPV, hepatitis, and trichomoniasis can all exist in your body without you ever knowing — and they can all be transmitted to partners during that time.
The CDC estimates that roughly 1 in 5 Americans had an STI on any given day in 2018, and STIs acquired that year cost the healthcare system nearly $16 billion. The only reliable way to know your status is to get tested.
Get Tested at AG Care
AG Care offers comprehensive, confidential STI testing and treatment at all five of our Brooklyn and Queens locations. Walk in any day of the week — no appointment needed.
- Bushwick — 1295 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11221 | 347-778-0532
- Brownsville — 462 Rockaway Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11212 | 718-942-1594
- Flatbush Junction — 664 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225 | 718-287-4888
- Canarsie — 8984 Avenue L, Brooklyn, NY 11236 | 718-272-4488
- Jamaica, Queens — 90-01 Merrick Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11432 | 718-297-4800
Open 7 days a week. Walk-ins welcome. Most insurance accepted.
Check in online now to save your spot, or call us at 877-471-9091. Need a follow-up from home? Use our WeHealth telehealth app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you have more than one STI at the same time?
Yes. Co-infection is common — for example, chlamydia and gonorrhea frequently occur together. Having one STI can also increase your vulnerability to others, particularly HIV. This is why comprehensive panel testing is recommended rather than testing for a single infection.
If an STI is curable, can you get it again?
Absolutely. Being cured of chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, or trichomoniasis does not give you immunity. You can be reinfected if exposed again, which is why both partners need treatment and why ongoing prevention and testing matter.
Are STIs only spread through intercourse?
No. Some STIs, including herpes, syphilis, and HPV, can spread through skin-to-skin contact with an infected area — even without penetrative sex. Oral sex can also transmit chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, and HPV.
How do I know which STI tests I need?
Your AG Care provider will recommend the right tests based on your sexual history, symptoms, and risk factors. If you’re unsure, a comprehensive panel covers the most common infections. Read more about the testing process in Part 1 of this series.
Are STI rates really going up in Brooklyn?
Yes. NYC Health Department data shows that chlamydia and gonorrhea rates increased in 2023 compared to 2022, and the Williamsburg-Bushwick area was specifically identified as a gonorrhea hotspot. Statewide, congenital syphilis cases increased 152% over five years. These trends underscore the importance of routine testing.
Is there a way to prevent STIs besides condoms?
Yes. In addition to consistent condom use, prevention options include the HPV vaccine, the hepatitis B vaccine, PrEP for HIV prevention, and doxy PEP (taking the antibiotic doxycycline after sex to prevent chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis — talk to your provider about whether this is appropriate for you). Regular testing and open communication with partners are also essential prevention strategies.
This is Part 2 of our Sexual Health & STI Awareness Series. Read Part 1: STI Testing 101. Coming up next: Part 3 — STIs With No Symptoms: Why You Need to Get Tested Even When You Feel Fine.
Related Articles:
- STI Testing 101: What to Expect at Your Urgent Care Visit
- Men’s Sexual Health: 7 Evidence-Based Ways to Improve Performance and Wellness
- Women’s Guide to Sexual Health
- UTI Treatment in Brooklyn & Queens
- Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) Treatment
- Wellness Visits at AG Care
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis, treatment, and answers to your personal health questions. If you are experiencing symptoms of an STI, please visit your nearest AG Care location or contact your healthcare provider.