Five things you should know about STIs
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San Juan, Puerto Rico | April 27, 2026 | By Project TIES Team
April is Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Awareness Month, a good time to review what STIs are and how to prevent them. STIs are infections (bacteria, parasites, and viruses) that are transmitted from person to person during oral, anal, and vaginal sexual contact.
There are more than 20 types of STIs, but the most common are the following:
Name of the STI | Bacterium | Virus | Parasite |
Chlamydia | X |
|
|
Gonorrhea | X |
|
|
Syphilis | X |
|
|
Genital herpes |
| X |
|
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) |
| X |
|
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) * |
| X |
|
Ladilla |
|
| X |
Trichomoniasis |
|
| X |
*HIV can also be transmitted through the sharing of needles used to inject drugs or other substances. Similarly, it can be transmitted during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
STIs caused by bacteria and parasites are curable.
Viral STIs have effective treatments.
Most STIs do not present symptoms.
Herpes and HPV can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, specifically when there is friction between genitals or an open wound.
How do we prevent STIs and HIV?
Use condoms correctly and consistently. If the person is allergic to latex, there are latex-free condoms that are just as effective.
Take Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV (PrEP does not prevent other STIs).
Get tested for STIs and HIV at least once a year.
Get the HPV vaccine . Every woman and man between the ages of 9 and 45 can receive the vaccine.
Several of the TIES Project sub-recipients offer STI and HIV testing and treatment services (click on your preferred location for contact and location information):
They perform STI and HIV tests:
They only perform HIV tests:
HIV testing schedule in non-clinical settings: https://www.sanjuanponefinalvih.com/donde-hacerte-la-prueba-vih
Also, for testing, treatment and additional information about STIs and HIV, you can contact the Puerto Rico Department of Health clinic, located in San Juan, called the Latin American Center for Transmissible Diseases (CLET):
Telephone: (787) 754-8128
Hours: Monday to Friday from 6:00am to 5:00pm
Physical address: Paseo Celso Barbosa, First Floor, Trauma Hospital, Medical Center, Bo. Monacillos, San Juan, PR 00936
Additional information: https://directoriovih.salud.pr.gov/Home/Detalles/4373541
References:
Puerto Rico Department of Health. (2025). Prevention of STIs and HIV. https://www.salud.pr.gov/CMS/61
OGP. (2025). Law of the “Month and Day of Awareness of Sexually Transmitted Infections” [Law 15-2022] https://bvirtualogp.pr.gov/ogp/Bvirtual/leyesreferencia/PDF/15-2022.pdf
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