6.2 Health Notes

Risky Health Behavior Risky behavior or risk-taking behavior is defined as “any consciously, or non-consciously controlled behavior with a perceived uncertainty about its outcome. It’s true that most teens are going to engage in some sort of risky behavior. It goes hand in hand with their need to explore, discover, and grow, a psychological and emotional necessity at this stage in life. To help prevent risky behavior, keep your goals in mind. Have a plan for what to say when asked to participate in risky behavior.  Examples: Having sex before marriage. Using drugs, alcohol, or tobacco Not eating a healthy diet, such as too much sugar and processed foods. Not regularly exercising Texting while driving Tattoos and body piercing

Sexually Transmitted Disease Commonly referred to as an STD. STDs are infections that are passed from one person to another during sexual contact. Many people who have them don’t have any symptoms. Adolescents ages 15-24 account for nearly half of the 20 million new cases of STDs each year. New estimates show that there are about 20 million new sexually transmitted infections in the United States each year. 1 in 4 teens contract a sexually transmitted disease every year.  STDs can mostly be prevented by not having sex. STDs do not always cause symptoms, so it is possible to have an infection and not know it. 

HIV HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is transmitted through bodily fluids. It is the virus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, if not treated. Unlike some other viruses, the human body can’t get rid of HIV completely, even with treatment. So once you get HIV, you have it for life. Within 2 to 4 weeks after infection, many, but not all, people develop flu- like symptoms, often described as “the worst flu ever.” AIDS is the most severe phase of HIV infection. People with AIDS have such badly damaged immune systems that they get an increasing number of severe illnesses. https://www.wxyz.com/news/region/detroit/hiv-a-growing-concern-in-detroit-with- infection-rate-four-times-some-counties

AIDS AIDS = acquired immunodeficiency syndrome Without treatment, people who progress to AIDS typically survive about 3 years. Once you have a dangerous opportunistic illness, life-expectancy without treatment falls to about 1 year. In the United States, most people with HIV do not develop AIDS because effective medicines stops disease progression. People with HIV who are diagnosed early can have a life span that is about the same as someone like them who does not HIV.

HPV Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Some health effects caused by HPV can be prevented by the HPV vaccines. 79 million Americans, most in their late teens and early 20s, are infected with HPV. There are many different types of HPV. You can get HPV by having sexual contact with someone who has the virus.  There is no test to find out if a person is infected.   Most people with HPV do not know they are infected and never develop symptoms or health problems from it. Some people find out they have HPV when they get genital warts. Women may find out they have HPV when they get an abnormal Pap test result (during cervical cancer screening). Others may only find out once they’ve developed more serious problems from HPV, such as cancers.

Chlamydia Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can be easily cured.  It left untreated it can cause serious, permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive system. This can make it difficult or impossible for her to get pregnant later on. Chlamydia can also cause miscarriages. Symptoms include unusual discharge and burning when urinating.

Gonorrhea  It can cause infections in the genitals, and other areas. It is a very common infection, especially among young people ages 15-24 years. You can get gonorrhea by having sexual contact with someone who has gonorrhea. A pregnant woman with gonorrhea can give the infection to her baby during childbirth. Symptoms include a burning sensation when urinating; and a white, yellow, or green pus- like discharge. It can be cured with the right medicine. It is becoming harder to treat some gonorrhea, as drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea are increasing.

Herpes Genital herpes is an STD caused by two types of viruses. The viruses are called herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Type 2 Genital herpes is spread through sexual contact. Oral herpes is usually caused by HSV-1 and can result in cold sores or fever blisters on or around the mouth. However, most people do not have any symptoms. Most people with oral herpes were infected during childhood or young adulthood from non-sexual contact with saliva. Oral herpes caused by HSV-1 can be spread from the one part of the body to another. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/two-thirds-of-the-world-population-has-herpes/

Hepatitis Viral hepatitis, including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, are a group of distinct diseases that affect the liver.  Type A symptoms are often similar to a stomach virus. Most cases resolve within a month. Hepatitis B and C can cause sudden illness. It can lead to liver cancer or a chronic infection that can lead to serious liver damage called cirrhosis.  Hepatitis A is spread by eating food or drinking beverages that have been contaminated with the feces of an infected person. Hepatitis B and C are spread mainly through infected blood or other body fluids.

Syphilis Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause serious health problems if it is not treated. Syphilis is divided into stages (primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary). There are different signs and symptoms associated with each stage. A person with primary syphilis generally has a sore or sores at the original site of infection. Symptoms of secondary syphilis include skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. During the latent stage, there are no signs or symptoms. Tertiary syphilis is associated with severe medical problems.  It can affect the heart, brain, and other organs of the body.