What 2 things do you risk when you have unprotected sex?

You risk Pregnancy 90% of couples who have unprotected sex will be pregnant by the end of the year.

You are also at risk for STD’s  There are more than 25 different diseases that can be spread by sexual contact.  About 1/3 of new STD infections occur in teenagers between the ages of years old.  By age 24, at least one out of 3 sexually active people in US will have contracted an STD.

Chlamydia  Bacterial Infection  Usually asymptomatic (70-80% of the cases)  95% treatable with antibiotics if diagnosed  May become re-infected if partner is not treated  Makes transmission of other STD’s more likely.

Genital Herpes  Small, painful blisters on or around the genital area  May cause slight tingling or burning, painful urination, symptoms last 7 – 10 days, then virus goes dormant but stays in system  Testing is performed by a tissue scraping, a culture, or a blood test  There is no cure. Some creams or ointments may lessen the symptoms somewhat.  Avoid unprotected sex, abstinence works best.

Genital Warts or HPV Risk factors include:  Age: years old  Multiple sexual partners  Having sex without condoms  Skin-to-skin contact with an infected partner  Previous history of genital warts  Oral contraceptives  Having sex at an early age. Caused by a virus, therefore no cure therefore no cure HPV vaccine prevents 4 of the 13 strains (70%)

Gonorrhea Symptoms usually include pain with urination and/or a white, yellow or green discharge. 50% of people are asymptomatic Untreated gonorrhea can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in women or infertility Untreated gonorrhea in men can cause epididymitis or infertility Gonorrhea infection may increase the odds of HIV infection.

Hepatitis B  Transmitted though unprotected sex, contact with infected blood & needle sharing to inject drugs.  Over half the infected people are asymptomatic. Symptoms might include jaundice, nausea, cramps, dark urine, extreme tiredness.  No cure, but HBV vaccine can prevent infection.

Syphilis  Caused by a bacterium  Stage 1: painless chancre Stage 2: Sore heals, may have rash, fever, swollen glands Stage 2: Sore heals, may have rash, fever, swollen glands Stage 3: disease is latent or silent Stage 3: disease is latent or silent Stage 4: after first year, may cause heart, brain or nervous system damage- even death! Stage 4: after first year, may cause heart, brain or nervous system damage- even death!  Can be spread through all types of sex

HIV/AIDS  These viruses are "retroviruses" -- ones that are regressive -- they "go backward." A retrovirus changes the original molecular structure of its host cell... These cells become HIV cells forever

Pubic Lice Pubic Lice  Commonly called “crabs”  An external parasite that infests the pubic region  Symptoms include itching and discomfort  Caused by close physical contact  Treatment: special shampoos, washing all clothes and bedding.

So how can you prevent STD infection?  Abstain or postpone sex  Reduce your number of sexual contacts  Use barrier methods like condoms or dental dams.  Have good communication with your partner.  Abstain from drugs and alcohol which may interfere with safer sex practices.

When should you get tested?  If you’ve had unprotected sex  If you have symptoms  If you find out your partner has been infected  If you become pregnant  If you share drug injection equipment  If you have multiple partners.

And now you have a chance to make it big in Hollywood…  Imagine that you have been asked to write an episode from House, Grey’s Anatomy or Bones…