Sexually Transmitted Diseases Health: Unit #4

What are STDs? Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): Infections spread from person to person through sexual contact Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Communicable diseases that can be easily transmitted from one person to another For an infection to occur: A person must engage in sexual contact that involves direct genital contact The exchange of semen or other body fluids with someone infected with an STD

What are STDs? Bacterial = Cured with medication Viral = Incurable Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to controlling or curing an STD. Asymptomatic: Individuals show no symptoms, or the symptoms are mild and disappear after the onset of the infection Lack of symptoms makes an STD more dangerous (a person may not realize they have it and does not seek treatment) A person may unknowingly pass the infection to future sexual partners

What are STDs? Any person who has sexual contact with another person risks contracting an STD. The risk of contracting an STD increases as the number of sexual partners increases. An estimated 9 million young people between the ages of 15 and 24 will become infected with an STD each year. Many of these cases will not be diagnosed, treated, or reported, creating a serious health crisis. Females are more likely to suffer complications from STDs Effects are more serious in females than males Both physical and psychological effects on infected people Medical costs connected to STDs are more than $15.3 billion per year

MYTHS ABOUT SEX (MTV) 10-sex-myths 10-sex-myths most-outrageous-sex-myths.jhtml most-outrageous-sex-myths.jhtml

Common STDs: Genital HPV Genital HPV: A viral infection that is caused by a human papillomavirus (a group of more than 100 kinds of viruses) More than 30 are transmitted through sexual contact Close to 6 million people in the United States are infected each year Causes genital warts (appear as bumps or growths near or on the genitals) Most do not have symptoms and disappear without treatment Some infections, if not diagnosed or treated, may cause abnormal Pap tests and may result in cervical cancer A vaccine is available (Gardasil)

HPV

Common STDs: Chlamydia Chlamydia: A bacterial infection that affects the reproductive organs of both males and females About 2.8 million Americans contract this each year Affects young females three times more often than males Less than half of all cases are reported Often produces no symptoms “silent disease” Most common STD among teens Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility can develop if left untreated in women Sterility in males if left untreated Infants may develop eye disease or pneumonia if born to infected mother Females are five times more likely to become infected with HIV if exposed

Chlamydia

Common STDs: Genital Herpes Genital herpes: An infection caused by the herpes simplex virus Herpes simplex virus 1 causes cold sores in or around the mouth Herpes simplex virus 2 causes genital sores Both types can infect the mouth or genitals In the United States, about 45 million people ages 12 and older are infected Many people are asymptomatic If symptomatic, the first outbreak will appear as blisters on the genitals or rectum within two weeks of contracting virus Blisters break, leaving sores that can take several weeks to heal First sores are followed by shorter, less severe outbreaks that can occur on and off for years Antiviral treatments are available No cure

Genital Herpes

Common STDs: Gonorrhea Gonorrhea: A bacterial STD that usually affects mucous membranes Second most commonly reported infectious disease in the United States More than 700,000 Americans are infected each year (only half are reported) Many males are asymptomatic and females show mild symptoms Can cause severe health problems, such as infertility Can spread to bloodstream and cause permanent damage to body’s joints Babies born from infected mothers can contract eye infections that cause blindness

Gonorrhea

Common STDs: Trichomoniasis Trichomoniasis: Caused by a microscopic protozoan that results in an infection of the vagina, urethra, and bladder About 7.4 million new cases occur every year in the United States Men may not produce symptoms, but temporary irritation inside the penis, mild discharge, or slight burning during and after urination or ejaculation may occur Many infected females often experience vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina characterized by discharge, odor, irritation, and itching) Females are more likely to contract HIV if they are exposed to it Babies born to infected mothers are often premature and have low birth weights

Trichomoniasis

Common STDs: Syphilis Syphilis: An infection caused by a small bacterium called spirochete that attacks many parts of the body Develop sores in the genital area lasting a couple of weeks Passed from one person to another by direct contact with the sores during sexual activity Progresses through three stages 1.) Primary stage – A sore appears on external genitals or vagina -Disease can be easily treated -If untreated, sore heals, but infection remains 2.) Second stage – Skin rash -If untreated, rash will disappear, but infection remains and progresses to third stage 3.) Third stage – Can damage internal organs and cause brain dementia -May cause death

Syphilis

The STD Epidemic The United States currently faces an STD epidemic. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) estimates that each year, 19 million people are infected with an STD (almost half are under the age of 24). Many STD cases go undiagnosed and untreated because of: Embarrassment or fear Lack of symptoms Misinformation Notification policies

STATS DiseaseCounty RateState RateNational Rate Chlamydia per 100,000 people per 100,000 people per 100,000 people Early Latent Syphilis 1.2 per 100,000 people 7.3 per 100,000 people Gonorrhea 194 per 100,000 people 116 per 100,000 people per 100,000 people HIV per 100,000 people 810 per 100,000 people per 100,000 people Primary and Secondary Syphilis 2.8 per 100,000 people 6.3 per 100,000 people 5 per 100,000 people

Preventing and Treating STDs Antibiotics: A class of chemical agents that destroy disease-causing microorganisms while leaving the patient unharmed Bacterial infections can be treated and cured

Prevention through abstinence The only method that is 100 percent successful in the preventing contraction and spread of STDs is abstinence. Abstinence before marriage is the best way to avoid STDs.

Stay Committed to Abstinence Set personal limits on physical affection. Avoid dating someone who is sexually active or who pressures you beyond your limits. Avoid situations where you may feel pressured to engage in sexual activity. Avoid people who make fun of your decisions or urge high- risk behaviors, including the use of alcohol or drugs. Choose group outings where you can enjoy the company of friends and avoid pressure to engage in sexual activity. Be clear about your decision to practice abstinence, and discuss it with others who are close to you. Practice refusal skills. Use words and body language to resist pressure to engage in sexual activity.

Avoiding High Risk Behaviors and STDs Being sexually active with more than one person Engaging in unprotected sex Engaging in sexual activity with high risk partners Using alcohol and other drugs

HPV Vaccine HPV vaccine (Gardasil): A vaccine that can prevent cervical cancer, precancerous genital lesions (or sores), and genital warts caused by genital HPV infection Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Protects against 4 types of HPV infections Recommended for females and males ages 9-26 years old No vaccines available for any other STDs

Diagnosing and Treating STDs If STDs are not diagnosed and treated early, serious long-term consequences can result. Teens who believe they might be infected with an STD should talk to a health care professional. Many public health clinics provide information and treatment free of charge. Only a trained professional can determine which tests will most effectively screen for a particular STD.

Act Responsibly Everyone has an obligation to prevent the spread of STDs Practice abstinence Report known infections (public health clinics can help locate past partners) Get medical treatment Notify everyone whom he or she had sexual contact with Informing someone else about a possible STD infection could save a life

HIV positive (MTV) Positive Positive stephanies-story.jhtml stephanies-story.jhtml