WHAT IS STD?
Sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs), also known as sexually transmitted infections
(STIs), are infections that are passed from person to person through sexual
contact. There are more than twenty other sexually transmitted infections that
are mainly spread by sexual contact (vaginal, anal, and oral sex).
Globally,
more than one million people get an STD every day. Most people with sexually
transmitted infections do not have symptoms and are therefore often unaware of
their ability to pass the infection on to their sexual partner(s).
Sexually
transmitted infections can cause serious health problems if untreated. This
could lead to cervical cancer, liver disease, pelvic inflammatory disease
(PID), infertility, and pregnancy problems. Having some STIs such as chancroid,
herpes, syphilis, and trichomoniasis) can increase the risk of your getting HIV.
Teenage
girls and young women are more at risk for sexually transmitted infections.
Their cervix (passage between the vagina and womb) in adolescents and young
women is lined with cells that are more likely to become infected with STIs.
Many
sexually transmitted infections have no symptoms, but can still be passed from
person to person. An individual may look healthy, and still have an STI. The
only certain way to know for sure is to get tested.
Practicing
Safe Sex reduces chances of contracting STIs greatly. Most STIs can be
successfully cured through treatment. For other STIs, there are effective
medications that can help you manage your condition.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS TO KNOW ABOUT:
While
many people with sexually transmitted infections show no signs or symptoms of
their infection, when there are signs of STIs they are most likely to be in the
genital area. The genital area in women includes the vulva (the area around the
vagina including the lips), vagina (the opening where menstrual blood comes
out), buttocks, urethra (the opening above the vagina where urine comes out)
and anus (the opening where a bowel movement comes out). The genital area in
men includes the penis, scrotum (“balls”), urethra, and anus.
CHANCROID:
This
sexually transmitted infection is caused by a bacterium. Symptoms may include
genital sores, vaginal discharge, a burning feeling when urinating, and swollen
lymph nodes in the groin. It can be spread by vaginal or anal sex or
skin-to-skin contact with sores. Chancroid can be treated with antibiotics.
CHLAMYDIA:
This
is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. It is caused by a
bacterium that exists in vaginal secretions and semen ("cum"). It can
be spread by vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Pregnant women can pass it on to their
babies during normal delivery. Symptoms may include vaginal discharge, burning
sensation during urination, but most women do not have any symptoms. Antibiotics
can treat chlamydia. Untreated chlamydia can spread to a woman’s upper,
internal reproductive organs (ovaries and fallopian tubes) and cause pelvic
inflammatory disease (PID). PID can lead to infertility.
GENITAL WARTS: Genital warts are caused by
viruses. HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is the name of a large group of viruses.
Certain types of HPV cause warts on the hands or feet. Other types cause
infections in the genital area that can lead to genital warts, cervical cancer,
or cancer of the vulva, vagina, anus, and penis. Genital HPV is spread easily
through skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Condoms do not
totally prevent transmission.
GONORRHEA:
This
sexually transmitted infection exists in vaginal secretions and semen. It can
be spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex without a condom or
latex/polyurethane barrier. Symptoms may include a yellowish or greenish
vaginal discharge and a burning feeling when urinating. Gonorrhea can also
affect the anus and the throat. Many women have no symptoms. Gonorrhea can be
treated with antibiotics.
PUBIC LICE (“Crabs”): Pubic lice live in the pubic
hair and can be transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. They can also be spread
through infected clothes and bedding. Symptoms may include intense itching and
seeing lice or eggs in the hair. Pubic lice can be treated with
over-the-counter medications. However, pregnant women must use products
specially designed for them. Contaminated clothes, sheets, pillowcases,
blankets, and towels should be washed in hot water and laundry soap to kill
lice and eggs and to prevent being infected again.
SYPHILIS: This STI is caused by a
bacterium. It can be spread by vaginal, anal, or oral sex without a condom or
latex/polyurethane barrier. The disease has several phases. People with primary
syphilis (early disease) may have pain-free open sores, called chancres, in the
genital or anal area or around the mouth. The sores usually heal on their own
in three to six weeks. People with secondary syphilis (a later stage of the
disease) often have a rash and/or hair loss. If left untreated, syphilis can
proceed to the latent stage during which it may have no visible symptoms but
can cause damage to the heart, brain, and other organs. Syphilis can be
successfully treated with antibiotics. Without treatment, it can hurt your
body’s organs, leading to severe illness and even death. Pregnant women can
pass syphilis to their babies during pregnancy and childbirth, so it is
important that pregnant women get tested for syphilis
PROTECTING YOURSELF AND OTHERS:
You
can greatly reduce your risk of getting many sexually transmitted infections by
practicing Safer Sex. Some STIs like genital warts, herpes, and syphilis can be
spread through contact with infected skin. Here are some tips for protecting
yourself:
·
Use
a latex condom for vaginal and anal sex or a plastic condom if you are sensitive
to latex
·
The
female condom can also prevent many sexually transmitted infections
·
Use
condoms without lubricant for oral sex on a man
·
Use
latex or plastic barriers, such as a dental dams or plastic wrap, for oral sex
on a woman or for oral-anal sex; use latex or plastic gloves if you have cuts
or sores on your hands
·
Use
water-based lubricants (KY, Astroglide) with latex condoms or barriers
·
DO
NOT use oil-based products (Vaseline, body lotions) because they destroy latex
·
Do
not use lubricants or condoms that contain nonoxynol-9 (N-9), which can damage
the lining of the vagina or anus and increase the chances of infection with HIV
·
Wash
shared sex toys (dildos, vibrators) or put on a fresh condom between users
·
Know
that some methods of birth control, like birth control pills, shots, implants, or
diaphragms, will not protect you from sexually transmitted infections. If you
use one of these methods also use a latex condom.
·
Talk
with your sex partner(s) about sexually transmitted infections and using condoms
·
Talk
honestly with your health care provider and your sex partner(s) about any
sexually transmitted infections you or your partner has or has had
·
Have
regular pelvic exams and cervical cancer screening, but remember that cervical
cancer screening tests do not screen for sexually transmitted infections other
than HPV
·
Talk
to your health care provider about having routine sexually transmitted
infection screening as part of your annual physical or gynecological exam
·
Do
not share needles or syringes for injecting drugs or other substances; if you
do share drug equipment, be sure to clean your works