1. Sexually Transmitted Diseases

2. What is a Sexually Transmitted Disease? STD’s are infections that are spread from person to person through intimate sexual contact. –Includes genital-genital contact, as well as mouth to genital contact STD’s are dangerous because they are easily spread and it is hard to tell just by looking who has an STD.

3. 1 in 4 teenagers has an STD Pregnant teen girls are carrying on average 2.3 sexually transmitted diseases. Each day 33, 000 Americans become infected with an STD. Today 12 thousand teenagers will contract a sexually transmitted disease

4. It is estimated that there are more than 68 million current STD infections among Americans. Each year, 15.3 million new STD infections occur, including over 3 million infections in teens. The two most common STDs, herpes and human papilloma virus (HPV), account for 65 of the 68 million current infections. Today, one in every five Americans between ages 15 and 55 is infected with at least one sexually transmitted disease. Source: American Social Health Association. Sexually Transmitted Disease in America: How Many Cases and at What Cost? Menlo Park, Calif.: Kaiser Family Foundation; 1998.

5. God’s Design for Sex Serves many purposes –Procreation … …making babies –Enjoyment … …enough said –Bonding … …“and the two shall become one flesh” These purposes require the right context … … between a man and woman … …married … … to each other

6. Prevention is the Key The virtue of Chastity: Sexual self-control – you are not an animal! Save sexual intercourse for marriage, the context in which God intended for sexual union. It is possible to get an STD even without having intercourse, through skin-to-skin or mouth-to-skin contact.

7. Prevention is the Key It is possible to get any one of the following STDs through oral sex. Oral sex is not safe sex. The Safe-Sex Message has given and continues to give a false sense of security. Condoms have a high failure rate when attempting to prevent pregnancy and STDs.

8. Common STDs Chlamydia Gonorrhea Genital Herpes (HSV-2) Genital Warts (HPV) HIV and AIDS Pubic Lice Syphilis Trichomoniasis

9. Common Symptoms for Girls Sores, bumps or blisters near genitals, anus or mouth Burning or pain while urinating Itching, bad smell or unusual discharge from vagina or anus Bellyache (pain in lower abdomen) Bleeding from vagina between menstrual periods Remember: Sometimes symptoms don't show up for weeks or months or years.

10. Common Symptoms for Guys Sores, bumps or blisters near genitals, anus or mouth Burning or pain while urinating Drip or discharge from penis Itching, pain or discharge from anus Remember: Sometimes symptoms don't show up for weeks or months.

11. Specific Diseases

12. Chlamydia Caused by bacteria called Chlamydia Trachomatis. Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. One episode of Chlamydia leaves results in a 35% chance of infertility A second infection of Chlamydia raises that percentage closer to 50%. A third infection of Chlamydia, and there is a very good chance you will never have children.

13. Untreated chlamydia infections in women may lead to: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). PID is any serious infection of a woman's reproductive organs which, if left untreated, can cause infertility. Cystitis (inflammation of the urinary bladder) Mucopurulent (muke-o-PURE-you-lent) cervicitis, characterized by a yellow discharge from the cervix Chlamydia is curable, but ANY damage done is irreversible.

14. Untreated chlamydia in men may lead to: Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland) Urethral scarring Infertility Epididymitis (inflammation of the epididymis, which are the elongated, cord-like structure that runs along the back of the testes)

15. Untreated chlamydia in infants may lead: Blindness Complications of pneumonia, which can include death

16. Gonorrhea Caused by a bacteria known as Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Symptoms in males include a burning sensation when urinating, or a white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis. Sometimes men with gonorrhea get painful or swollen testicles, leading to epidiymitis, a painful condition of the ducts attached to the testicles that may lead to infertility.

17. The initial symptoms in women include a painful or burning sensation when urinating, increased vaginal discharge, or vaginal bleeding between periods. Gonorrhea is a common cause of PID, which can increase rates of infertility as well as the risk of ectopic pregnancy.

18. Gonorrhea can spread to the blood or joints. This condition can be life threatening. In addition, people with gonorrhea can more easily contract HIV. Gonorrhea is treatable, but ANY damage done to the body is irreversible.

19. Genital Herpes (HSV-2) HSV-2 is caused by the herpes virus. HSV-2 can be contracted even while using a condom. After contracting the herpes virus you will have it FOREVER. There is NO cure.

20. A doctor can prescribe antiviral medication to help control recurring outbreaks and clear up painful sores.

21. Genital Warts (HPV) Genital warts are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). There is NO cure for the virus. Imagine this… “elsewhere”

22. Genital Warts (HPV) HPV can be contracted even while using a condom. Some warts can be dissolved with special medication or the doctor can “freeze” them off with a special chemical.

23. The New England Journal of Medicine (April 18, 1996) reported that approximately one in every three female college students in America is infected with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). The Medical Institute for Sexual Health (April, 1994) reported that the greatest danger of HPV is that it is the probable cause of almost all cervical cancer. Based on statistics provided by the American Cancer Society, it is estimated that in 1994 there were 16,000 new cases of cervical cancer and 5,000 related deaths in the United States. HPV also causes genital warts on both men and women that range in size from a small tick to the size of a cauliflower. These warts can be very difficult to cure, and sometimes require surgery.

24. Venereal warts caused by HPV

25. HIV and AIDS AIDS is one of the most deadly diseases in history. AIDS is caused by HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus). HIV destroys the body’s defense system (the immune system). Thousands of teens in the U.S. become infected each year.

26. How do you get HIV? HIV can be transmitted from an infected person to another person through blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. People who have another STD are at higher risk for contracting HIV during sex with infected partners.

27. Symptoms of AIDS Extreme weakness and fatigue Rapid weight loss Frequent fevers with not explanation Heavy sweating at night Swollen lymph glands Minor infections that cause skin rashes and mouth, genital, and anal sores. White spots in the mouth or throat Chronic diarrhea A cough that won’t go away Short-term memory loss

28. Kaposi’s sarcoma (Cancer associated with AIDS) Oral Thrush (yeast infection) Common infection associated with AIDS Oral Leukoplakia

29. How is HIV treated? There is NO cure. Medication can control some of the symptoms (for a LARGE cost)

30. Pubic Lice (Crabs) Pubic lice are tiny insects that can crawl from the pubic hair of one person to the pubic hair of another person during sex. Treated with medication that kills the lice and their eggs. Pubic lice can be spread even when you use a condom.

31. Syphilis Caused by bacteria called Trepenoma pallidum. If not treated Syphilis can be very dangerous and can cause brain damage and other serious health problems. Can be treated with antibiotics.

32. Trichomoniasis Sometimes called “trich” it is a parasite that can be passed from person to person during sexual intercourse. One of the most common STD’s Can be passed on via damp towels, washcloths, and bathing suits if someone has the parasite.

33. What happens if STDs don’t get treated? If you have an STD and don’t get treatment there are long-term effects such as: –Infertility (Unable to have babies) –Cancer –Long-term pain –Can pass disease from mother to baby –Death

34. Conclusion It is much easier to prevent an STD than to cure one. The ONLY way to prevent STD’s is to abstain from ALL types of sexual contact. Condoms do not always protect you from STD’s such as HSV-2, HPV, and Pubic Lice. Remember, just because you and your partner may be monogamous with each other, the risk of getting an STD is increased by the number of previous sexual partners either partner has had.