STD’S Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Statistics (American Social Health Association) Estimated total number of people living in the US with an incurable STD is over 65 million. Two-thirds of all STDs occur in people 25 years of age or younger. CDC reported in March 2008 – 26% of teen girls between the ages of 14 and 19 is currently infected with 1 or more STDs.

Statistics (American Social Health Association) One in four new STD infections occur in teenagers. Of the STDs that are diagnosed, only four-- Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Chlamydia and Hepatitis B--are required to be reported to state health departments and the CDC for statistical purposes. At least one in four Americans will contract an STD at some point in their lives.

Parasite vs. Viral vs. Bacterial Parasites: small animals that get nourishment from the person they infect (host); pubic lice, aka crabs. These can be cured. Bacterial: organisms made of one cell; they cling together to feed from the host body (Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Chlamydia) These can be cured. Viral: complex molecules that can multiply when they invade their host. (HIV, Herpes, Hepatitis). These cannot be cured.

CHLAMYDIA Bacterial. Pain, burning when urinating, discharge Sex; oral sex; may be passed to baby during vaginal birth Lab exam of fluid from infected area Curable - Antibiotic pills kill bacteria Pelvic infections; sterility

CRABS Parasite Severe itching Sex; genital contact Visual Curable - Over the counter or prescription lotion Continuing symptoms

GENITAL HERPES Virus Male: tiny blisters on penis, scrotum – painful to touch. Female: blisters form in vagina & on cervix; rarely external. Flu-like symptoms Sex, oral sex, kissing/touching infected area Diagnosed visually, Lab exam of infected fluid Can be treated, but can’t be cured. Medications relieve pain & shorten outbreaks. Pregnant women need C-section

GONORRHEA Bacteria Pain, burning when urinating; yellow discharge Transmitted during sex Lab exam of fluid from infected area to diagnose Curable. Antibiotic pills that kill bacteria; penicillin Pelvic infections (PID); sterility

AIDS/HIV DISEASE Virus Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, yellow skin Sex, oral sex, contaminated blood, infected mother to child Blood tests, but incubation is 3-5 years Can be treated, but can’t be cured (AZT). Drugs slow down progress; fight infection Dangerous infection as disease progresses faster

HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) Virus Warts on genital area (internal & external) Sex; oral sex; skin to skin touch Visually diagnosed Treatable, but can’t cured. Warts burned off or removed with liquid treatments. Cause cervical cancer in women Vaccine – may help guard against some strains of HPV

SYPHILIS Bacteria Chancre sore, rash, genital ulcers Sex, oral sex, mother to child Lab exam of tissue, fluids; blood tests to diagnose Penicillin shots kill bacteria Blindness, heart disease, brain damage

TRICHOMONIASIS (trik-o-mon-i-a-sis) Parasite Itching in & around vagina, red rash, greenish- yellow discharge Sex Lab exam of fluids, urine test Antibiotics kill bacteria Men: prostate damage; women: continuing symptoms

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) Caused by bacteria, most commonly Chlamydia and gonorrhea Inflammation and scarring of fallopian tubes, tissues near the ovaries and the uterus Cause of sterility

STDs Go to the gynecologist every six months if you are sexually active!