1. Sexually Transmitted Infections and AIDS

2. The Risks of Sexual Activity

3. Sexually Transmitted Infections
STI
Any pathogen that spreads from one person to another during sexual contact
19 million new cases of STIs each year
3 million occur in people under the age of 20
$10 billion in healthcare costs

4. Harmful Effects Short Term Long Term Many can be treated with medicine
Pain, discomfort, embarrassment
Long Term
Increased risk of certain cancers, increased risk of infertility
Many can be treated with medicine
Some are incurable
You cannot develop immunity to an STI

5. Risky Behaviors & STI Epidemic
Ignoring Risks
Being sexually active puts you at risk
Don’t take proper precautions
“It can’t happen to me”
Multiple Partners
More sexual partners = greater chance of getting an STI
Not Seeking Treatment
Embarrassed
Don’t recognize the symptoms
No symptoms

6. Avoiding STIs Mainly transmitted through sexual contact
Can be transmitted through contact of blood of an infected person
STIs are PREVENTABLE!!

7. PRACTICE ABSTINENCE!!!
Abstinence – not having sexual intercourse, oral sex, or anal sex
The most certain way to not contract an STI is to practice abstinence!
Even if you have been sexually active, you can still start to practice abstinence now
Get tested

8. Avoid Drugs Blood to blood contact Sharing of needles
Drugs or steroids; body piercings or tattoos
Not only are the people who use the needles at risk, so are their sexual partners
Drugs and alcohol play a role in the STI epidemic because they impair the ability to think clearly

9. Choose Responsible Friends
Choose friends who also practice these behaviors
Friends who support your decisions make it easier to resist the pressure to use drugs or engage in sexuality activity
Going out in groups, instead of as a couple, makes it easier to choose abstinence

10. Kinds of STIs

11. STIs Infectious disease Caused by pathogens
Bacteria, viruses, protozoan's
Early diagnosis and treatment is essential in preventing long term health problems

12. Trichomoniasis
Caused by a protozoan that infects the urinary tract or vagina
Males—painful urination, a clear discharge from the penis, itching; sometimes no symptoms
If not cured can lead to inflammation of the lining of the urethra, called urethritis
Females—itching and burning in the vagina, unpleasant smelling, yellowish discharge, painful urination
If not treated can lead to vaginitis, a vaginal infection or irritation

13. Human Papilloma Virus - HPV
Most common viral STI in the US
Often no symptoms
Immune system may destroy the virus or it may remain in the body for life
Can lead to genital warts or cervical cancer in women
Vaccine for girls 9 to 26—protects against 4 types of the HPV virus that cause 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts

14. Chlamydia Most common bacteria STI in the US
Can be cured with antibiotics
Males—painful urination and discharge from the penis; can lead to urethritis
Females—yellowish vaginal discharge; can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a serious infection of the RPS
PID can lead to infertility or ectopic pregnancy

15. Hepatitis Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HBC) Attack the liver
Often no symptoms
Fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea
Can lead to liver cancer or cirrhosis (scar tissue)
No cure
Children are vaccinated against HBV

16. Gonorrhea
Bacterial
Infects urinary tract of males and females and the reproductive organs of females
Males—thick, pus-like discharge from penis, painful urination
Females—pus-like discharge from the vagina or urinary tract and painful urination
Symptoms mild or not always present
Infected pregnant female can transmit to baby at birth—babies given medicated eye drops
Treatment requires antibiotics

17. Genital Herpes Virus—herpes simplex virus 1 out of 5; 12 and older
Symptoms may be hardly noticeable
Painful blisters on or around the genitals
No cure
Infected people experience outbreaks of blisters throughout their lives
Can pass herpes whether blisters are present or not
A pregnant woman can infect her child during birth, causing blindness and possible death
C-section can prevent this

18. Syphilis Bacteria 3 stages Can be treated and cured with antibiotics
1st stage – painless sore appears
2nd stage – sore appears in the mouth; flu-like symptoms develop
3rd stage – symptoms may disappear for years; bacteria will attack internal parts of the body; can lead to brain damage, paralysis, and heart disease if left untreated
Can be treated and cured with antibiotics
Pregnant woman can pass to her baby

19. Seeking Treatment
People who participate in high-risk behaviors should get medical checkups every 6 months
If you suspect you are infected you should seek prompt medical treatment
Notify sexual partners
If STI is not curable, DR will offer advice about how to live with it and prevent from passing it on
Clinics