HPV | Chlamydia | AIDS | Genital Herpes | Syphilis | Gonorrhea | Did You Know... | Love Versus Lust

Some diseases are curable (that which can be remedied or healed) and some diseases are incurable (that which has no known cure). Sexually Transmitted Diseases fall into both categories.

Many times a person is unaware of being infected by a STD, because there may not be any noticeable signs or symptoms.The disease can still be passed, spread, or transmitted to others even if there are no symptoms.

Oral sex IS sex.Most of the same diseases that can be transmitted during ntercourse, can be transmitted orally.



HPV: The Human Papilloma Virus

• The #1 most common viral STD
• There is NO known cure for HPV.
• Can cause warts to form on the genital areas (about 10% of the time)
• Considered a regional disease, spread by skin to skin contact: including areas that condoms do not cover.
• More U. S. women die each year of cervical cancer caused by HPV than from HIV/AIDS. (MMWR 1998:47:749-752)
  

• The #1 most common non-viral STD in the U.S.
• Carriers often have mild or no symptoms approximately 4 million new infections every year
• Can cause PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease), ectopic pregnancy (fertilization of the egg while it is still in the fallopian tube) and infertility among women
  

• AIDS is caused by HIV infection
• There is NO known cure for AIDS: medications can postpone death for those infected
• Spread through exchange of body fluids (i.e. blood, semen, etc.)
• No initial symptoms
• AIDS develops into serious health complications
• Condoms decrease but don't eliminate risk

• There is NO known cure for genital herpes
• Causes blistering open sores on the anus, genitals and mouth
• Contagious, even when no sores are present
• Spread by skin contact

• Bacterial infection: can be treated with anti-biotic
• Chancre sores appear about 3 weeks after exposure: could be internal and therefore unnoticed.
• Becomes life threatening if left untreated
• Causes blindness, heart disease, nervous disorders, insanity, tumors and death
• About 100,000 new infections every year

Gonorrhea

• Transmitted by direct contact with infected secretions (can be detected in the urethra, vagina and throat)
• Second most common disease reported to the CDC: more than 360,000 reported in 1999
• Drug resistant strains are emerging
• Can cause PID, ectopic pregnancy and chronic pelvic pain.

Did You Know…

• The chances of becoming infected with an STD greatly increases by having sex with someone who
  - uses or has used illegal injection drugs
  - has had one or more sex partners
  - has or had an STD, even if it's been treated
  
  
• An untreated disease can cause irreversible damage to the body. Scarring of the fallopian tubes and damage to the male epididymis can cause infertility.
  
  
• Some disease are regional meaning they can be passed on through skin contact around the genital area as well as on it (like herpes sores or genital warts). Using a condom doesn't lessen the catching an STD to or from areas not covered by the condom.
  
  
• Sexually active girls ages 15-19 are 3 times more likely to get an STD than a woman 25-29 years old. The immature cervix of a teenage girl is more vulnerable to infections and cancer if exposed to STDs before full development.
  
  
• The more partners a person has been with, the greater the risk of infection or cancer.
  
  
• Oral sex is sex. Most STDs can be transmitted orally. Gonorrhea of the throat is a growing medical concern.
  
  
• Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the cause of genital warts and is the leading cause of cervical cancer in women.
  
  
• Birth control pills don't prevent STDs and they are not 100% effective in preventing pregnancy. Typically, pregnancy can occur about three days each month; an STD can be transmitted everyday of the month.
  
  
• Someone can have more than one STD at the same time. The presence of an untreated STD infection can increase the risk of getting HIV.
  
  

Did You Know…

• Sex is an emotional as well as physical experience. There is no condom that can protect your emotions.
  
  
• 1 in 4 sexually active teens, about 3 million every year, acquire an STD.
  
  
• The most common STDs for teens ages 15-19 and young adults ages 20-24 are Chlamydia and gonorrhea.