There are three different kinds of STDs: bacterial, viral, and parasitic.

• Bacterial infections are caused by a germ or bacteria. They include chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. These can be cured by taking antibiotics.
   
• Viral infections are carried in a person’s body and can’t be cured by medicine. They include herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, the virus that causes AIDS). The symptoms (if they appear)—such as sores, warts or other health problems—can often be treated. Herpes and HIV stay with a person for life and can be passed to partners even if there are no symptoms. In some cases HPV and Hepatitis B can be cleared from the body, but there are also times when they stay with a person for life, as well.
   
• Parasitic infections are tiny bugs that live in the pubic hair and genital area. They include scabies and pubic lice (“crabs”). They can be spread during skin-to-skin sexual contact and from sharing bath towels, bedding and clothing. Scabies and lice are generally eliminated with prescription soap.

You can get tested for STDs at a clinic, or with your private doctor.

For more information, check out the rest of our FAQs about STDs, or log on to I Wanna Know.

Got a question about STDs? Call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Information Hotline at 1-800-232-4636 (CDC-INFO) or 1-888-232-6348 for TTY service. The line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week in English and Spanish.