1. Learning About Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Family Life Education
Learning About
Sexually
Transmitted Diseases
Lesson 5

2. Purpose
This lesson will give you information on transmission, symptoms and prevention of the most common STDs.

3. Summary Please remember:
STDs are transmitted through unprotected sex with an infected partner.
ABSTINENCE provides 100% protection.
You can use refusal skills to avoid risky behavior.

4. Introduce STDs “What is an STD?” Sexually transmitted
Spread through unprotected sexual contact with and infected partner
Can be easily transmitted
Most people with an STD do not have visible symptoms
STDs can be prevented

5. Bacterial STDs Caused by bacteria and are curable
Treatable but repeatable
Includes:
Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Syphilis

6. Viral STDs Caused by viruses and are not curable
Medication can reduce or eliminate symptoms, but virus remains in body
Includes:
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

7. Transmission
STDs can be transmitted through direct contact with a sore/lesion or an exchange of semen, blood or vaginal fluid:
Mouth to penis/vagina/rectum
Penis to mouth/vagina/rectum
Genital to genital without penetration
Shared needles for non-sexual transmission

8. Consider the Risk
With a partner complete “Consider the Risk” worksheet.
Determine whether each behavior has No Risk, Some Risk, or High Risk for transmitting STDs.
You should be able to explain your answers.

9. Consider the Risk BEHAVIOR NO RISK SOME RISK HIGH RISK
Ear piercing with sterilized equipment
Holding hands
Kissing on the mouth
Having sex
Hugging
Getting a dog or insect bite
Giving first aid
Sharing a needle

10. Indirect Transmission
Behaviors that do not lead to direct transmission, but can lead to high-risk behaviors are:
Spending time alone with your partner
Going to an unchaperoned party
Hanging out with older friends
Using drugs or alcohol