STD, KNOWLEDGE & PREVENTION

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