1. Sexually Transmitted Infections

2. What is an STI? Sexually transmitted infections are infections passed from person to person through sexual contact

3. What’s the difference between an STI and an STD? STD stands for sexually transmitted disease STI stands for sexually transmitted infection STD’s are caused by STI’s

4. How many people have STI’s? 19 million new infections each year Half of the new infections occur to people aged 15-24 Women are affected more than men

5. How do you get STI’s? Vaginal, anal or oral sex

6. Common STI’s Chlamydia –Some show no symptoms, others have discharge, painful urination, and abdominal pain –Treatment: can be cured with antibiotics –Long-Term Consequences: sterility and liver infection

7. Common STI’s Syphilis –Sores on genitals or mouth, fever, body rash –Treatment: can be cured with antibiotics –Long-Term Consequences: if left untreated can cause mental illness, kidney and heart damage

8. Common STI’s Gonorrhea –Some show no symptoms, others have discharge from genitals, painful urination –Treatment: can be cured with antibiotics but new strain has shown resistance –Long-Term Consequences: sterility, liver disease

9. Common STI’s Herpes –Causes outbreaks of painful blisters and sores around genital area –Treatment: cannot be cured, medication can decrease length and frequency of outbreaks and can decrease the spread –Long-Term Consequences: untreated can cause cervical cancer in women

10. Common STI’s HPV (Human papillomavirus) –Some show no symptoms, others have warts on genital area, women have abnormal Pap-smear –Treatment: cannot be cured, sometimes warts can be removed, pap-smear tests are used to diagnose other conditions –Long-Term Consequences: untreated can cause cervical cancer

11. How can you prevent getting an STI? Don’t have sex Be faithful- one sexual partner who has been tested Use a condom Some forms of birth control will not protect you from STI’s