1. STI Awareness Month April
Purdue University Calumet
Counseling Center
Gyte Room 005
(219)
Counseling Center Website

2. Current statistics for STIs
Sexual transmitted infections (STIs) affect everyone regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, and economic status.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 19 million new sexually transmitted infections occur each year.
Although young people represent approximately 25% of the sexually experienced population, half of sexually transmitted infections occur among those ages 15 to 24.
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008)

3. Reportable rates of STIs in young people ages 15-24 by state.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Reportable STD rates of youth and adolescents ages Website:

4. Common sexually transmitted infections

5. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV attacks a person’s CD4+ T cells, which are responsible for fighting against infections and diseases.
swollen lymph glands
diarrhea
unusual blemishes in the tongue, mouth, or throat
red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids
The time it takes for HIV to progress to full-blown AIDS varies based on many factors, such as an individual’s health status and behaviors. How quickly someone is diagnosed and treated for HIV also influences the long term outcomes.
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006)
A person with an advanced HIV infection may experience the following:
dramatic weight loss
fatigue
dry cough
fever and night sweats

6. Genital herpes
This STI is an extremely contagious viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).
HSV-1 commonly referred to as “cold sores” and HSV-2 commonly referred to as “genital herpes” are both involved in sexual transmission and either can be contracted in the oral or genital areas.
A person who has been infected with genital herpes through sexual contact with an infected person may experience the following:
Blisters around the genital areas or rectum, which usually appear within two weeks after being exposed to the virus. The blisters will eventually break and become sores. These sores will take about 2-4 weeks to heal.
Swollen glands and flu-like symptoms.
Subsequent outbreaks of herpes sores.
Serious infections may occur in people with suppressed immune symptoms, as well as infants of mothers who contracted the virus while pregnant.
Many people who are infected with genital herpes will only experience mild symptoms. Some may experience no symptoms at all.
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011).

7. Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most common STI reported in the United States with 2.8 million infections occurring annually.
Untreated chlamydia can lead to serious health problems. In women, untreated chlamydia may lead to reproductive problems such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and fallopian tube infections.
Chlamydia is often called the “silent” disease, since most people infected will not experience noticeable symptoms. Due to this fact, medical authorities recommend “routine” chlamydia screenings be part of any gynecological exam for sexually active women under the age of 25 or any woman with a high risk sexual history.
The following symptoms may occur:
Women may experience unusual vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating. Some may also experience pain during intercourse, vaginal spotting, fever, nausea, or abdominal and back pain.
Men may experience unusual discharge and pain.
Most authorities including the CDC, recommend all those testing positive for gonorrhea receive treatment for chlamydia, regardless of test results. The reason for this is those testing positive for gonorrhea have a higher rate of false negatives, for chlamydia.
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012)

8. Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Untreated gonorrhea can lead to long-term health problems.
Those infected with gonorrhea may experience the following symptoms:
Men may experience a burning sensation when urinating, as well as unusual discharge from the penis.
Women may experience pain/burning when urinating, unusual vaginal discharge, or spotting between menstrual periods.
These symptoms may be mild or unnoticeable.
There are increased incidents of antibiotic resistance in those with gonorrhea. Multi-drug resistant gonorrhea is a major concern among leading authorities in infectious disease. This makes protecting yourself from gonorrhea all the more important.
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011)

9. Syphilis
Most primary and secondary syphilis cases have been reported in persons between the ages of 20 and 39.
It may take years for an infected person to develop noticeable symptoms.
Primary stage of syphilis:
During the primary stage of syphilis, an infected person may notice the appearance of a single sore or multiple sores.
Secondary stage of syphilis:
In the secondary stage of syphilis, a person may experience a rash on the body.
Other symptoms include fever, swollen lymph glands, weight loss, fatigue, hair loss, and headaches.
See the CDC website for more information about the late stages of syphilis:
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010)

10. Cases of syphilis in northwest Indiana
In 2009, the Indiana State Health Department (ISHD), issued a Public Health Warning regarding the increase in syphilis cases in Lake and Porter Counties among BOTH heterosexuals and homosexuals. Between the incidence of newly diagnosed syphilis TRIPLED. No further information about this trend has been publicized.
This is another reason to have ONLY protected sex.

11. How do people become infected?
People can become infected with STIs through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who is infected with an STI.
Syphilis and herpes can be contracted through kissing if there is an open sore (lesion) on the mouth.
Hepatitis B and HIV can also be contracted through the use of contaminated needles.
Having one or more STIs makes your chances of becoming HIV positive two to five times more likely if exposed.
Those newly infected with HIV go through a phase of rapid viral replication during which they are HIGHLY contagious. Due to the level of virus, having sexual contact with those newly infected who may or may not know they have the virus increase your chances of becoming infected with HIV.

12. Protecting yourself against STIs
Many symptoms of sexually transmitted infections are mild or unnoticeable---Getting tested is crucial!
Condoms are the only form of protection that can protect against unwanted pregnancies AND STIs.
Always use a condom during the entire duration of sexual activity.
Know the proper way to use a condom

13. Education and prevention
Many sexual transmitted infections have no symptoms initially, or the symptoms may be confused for another disease.
You can not tell if someone is infected with an STI based on how they look or act. Just because a person is well liked and attractive does not mean that they do not have an STI.
Don’t think “it can’t happen to me.” In reality, it is estimated that one in two sexual active persons will contract an STI by age 25 (Cates, Herndon, Schulz, and Darroch, 2004).
The bottom line: getting tested regularly and using protection is key to protecting yourself and others against STIs.

14. PUC Campus Resources
The Counseling Center provides free, confidential counseling services to currently enrolled students. To make an appointment, please call (219)
Counseling Center Website (

15. Additional resources Centers for Disease Control and Prevention INFO
1-800-CDC-INFO ( ), or TTY
Division of STD Prevention (DSTDP)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Get Yourself Tested (GYT) Campaign
The GYT Campaign is aimed at empowering young people to get tested and educate themselves on the topic of sexual transmitted diseases. Link
CDC STD Awareness Month website:
CDC STD Awareness Resource website:
National HIV and STD Testing Resource website:

16. References
Cates JR, Herndon NL, Schulz S L, Darroch JE. (2004). Our voices, our lives, our futures: Youth and sexually transmitted diseases. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Prevention Information Network. (2011, March 14). STDs today. Retrieved March 29, 2012 from
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012, February 8). Chlamydia-CDC fact sheet. Retrieved March 29, 2012 from
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012, January 21). Genital herpes-CDC fact sheet. Retrieved March 26, 2012 from
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011, April 5). Gonorrhea-CDC fact sheet. Retrieved April 5, from
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010, September 16). Syphilis-CDC fact sheet. Retrieved April 5, from
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2006, November 6). HIV/AIDS basics. Retrieved March 29, from
CDC. Sexually Transmitted Diseases in the United States, 2008: National Surveillance Data for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; [cited 2010 March 18]. Available from:
Get yourself tested. Retrieved April 5, 2012 from
CDC.The role of STD detection and treatment in HIV prevention: HIV.htm