1. Sexually Transmitted Diseases

2. What is a sexually transmitted disease (STD)?
They are caused by infections that are passed from one person to another during sexual contact.
Here are some of the most common STDs in the United States that we will discuss:
Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Genital Herpes
Genital Warts
Syphilis
HIV/AIDS

3. What you should know…
Most STDs are spread ONLY through sexual contact.
Most STDs have either very mild or no symptoms.
Many STDs can be treated and cured, but early diagnosis is important.
STDs can recur because the body does not build up an immunity against them.
STDs can cause sterility, blindness, and birth defects.
The BEST way to protect yourself from an STD is by practicing ABSTINENCE.

4. Surprising Facts
STDs are most common in the age group…50% of all new STDs are found in this age group!
46% of American high school students have had sexual intercourse and put themselves at risk for STDs.
1 in 4 teens contracts an STD every year.
1 in 2 sexually active people will get an STD by the age of 25.

5. Chlamydia Cause Bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis Transmission
Sexual contact, mother to baby during delivery
Signs & Symptoms
Girls: Vaginal discharge, pain during urination, pain in lower abdomen, bleeding between periods, mild fever, muscle aches, or headache
Boys: Discharge from the urethra, itching or burning around penis, or swollen testicles (rare)
*Many people don’t realize they have Chlamydia because they don’t show symptoms.
*If symptoms do appear, they can take up to 3 weeks.
Treatment
Antibiotics should clear up the infection in 7 to 10 days.
Complications
Infection of the urethra, inflammation of the cervix (female) or the epididymis (male), Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in females which can lead to infertility or ectopic pregnancies later in life.

6. Gonorrhea Cause (Bacteria or Virus)
Bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoea
Transmission
Sexual contact, mother to baby during delivery
Signs & Symptoms
Girls: Yellow-green vaginal discharge, pain during urination, pain in lower abdomen, bleeding between periods, or mild fever.
Boys: Yellowish-white discharge from the urethra or burning during urination.
*Males are more likely than females to show symptoms.
*Many girls show no symptoms or they may be so mild, she doesn’t notice them until they are severe.
Treatment
Antibiotics
Complications
If left untreated, can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in females and pain & swelling in the testicles creating scar tissue in men which can both cause infertility.
Can cause meningitis and blindness in newborn babies.

7. Activity

8. Genital Herpes Cause Herpes simplex virus 2 Transmission
Sexual contact (even when sores are not present), mother to baby during delivery
Signs & Symptoms
Pain, tenderness, or itching in the genital area, fever or headache.
Bumps and blisters may appear on the vagina, penis, scrotum, anus, thigh, or buttocks. Blisters open to form painful sores that can last 3 weeks.
Treatment
No cure. A person can take medication to help with symptoms.
Complications
Some people don’t show symptoms or maybe have only one outbreak. An infected person is ALWAYS at risk of spreading, even if there are no sores present.

9. Genital Warts Cause (Bacteria or Virus)
Human papillomavirus – HPV (virus), which is the most common sexually transmitted disease.
Transmission
Sexual contact, skin-to-skin contact, mother to baby during delivery
Signs & Symptoms
Girls: Warts in the vaginal or anal area or on the cervix.
Boys: Warts on the penis, scrotum, groin, or thigh.
*Warts are usually flesh-colored and painless, therefore, they are not noticed right away.
Treatment
There is a vaccine to PREVENT HPV, but it doesn’t protect against all strains.
No cure. A person can take medication to help with symptoms.
The immune system MIGHT clear up the HPV infection on its own.
Complications
If left untreated, can lead to cervical cancer in women.

10. Syphilis Cause (Bacteria or Virus) Bacteria called Treponema pallidum
Transmission
Sexual contact, mother to baby during pregnancy and/or delivery
Signs & Symptoms
Primary stage: A chancre sore appears 10 days to 3 months after contracting infection and/or enlarged lymph nodes.
Secondary stage: Weeks to months after the chancre appears, syphilis bacteria enters the blood causing symptoms such as rash, fever, headache, loss of appetite, weight loss, sore throat, muscle aches, joint pain, and enlarged lymph nodes. Infection can affect the liver, kidneys, and eyes, or cause meningitis.
Tertiary stage: Symptoms such as damage to the eyes, large blood vessels, heart, bones and CNS can appear years later. Other symptoms include memory loss, decreased mental function, walking, balance, bladder control, and vision.
Treatment
Can be treated with antibiotics in the early stages.
Complications
If left untreated, can lead to very serious health problems.

11. HIV/AIDS Cause (Bacteria or Virus)
HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.
Transmission
Sexual contact, infected needles, mother to baby during pregnancy or delivery, contact with infected blood or other body fluids.
Signs & Symptoms
Most people don’t experience symptoms for years. Some develop flu-like symptoms for a few days. Later symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, fever, mouth infections, diarrhea, tiredness.
Treatment
No cure. A person can take medication to help with symptoms.
Complications
Immune system weakens so other diseases and illnesses can develop. Many people with AIDS die of other illnesses such as the flu or pneumonia.

12. REMEMBER…
ABSTINENCE is the BEST way to prevent yourself from getting a sexually transmitted disease.
Don’t ruin your future by making bad choices now!
Not choosing abstinence can lead to:
Infertility
Higher chance of divorce (you are 50% more likely to divorce if you engage in premarital sex)
Unintended pregnancy
Less education, poverty
Sexually transmitted diseases, life threatening illnesses such as cancer, diseases, death