STDs & STIs Sexually transmitted diseases (no cure) Sexually transmitted infections (curable)

Sexually Transmitted Disease/Infection Communicable diseases/infections- contagious Infections that are spread from person to person through sexual contact; sexual contact is not restricted to sexual intercourse ¼ of all new cases of STDs/STIs appear among 15-19 year olds ¼ of sexually active teens have an STD or STI Many people don’t know they are infected (asymptomatic) Sexually Transmitted Disease/Infection

You cannot tell if someone has an STD/STI just by looking at them; a person may be a carrier. A carrier is a person who appears healthy but is infected Early diagnosis is key- must go to medical professional to get checked Because treatments for STDs and STIs vary, they must be accurately identified STDs can cause serious health problems, especially if left untreated

Bacterial Infections Chlamydia A silent disease because in many cases there are no symptoms; if left untreated can cause infertility Symptoms: genital discharge, pain when urinating and pain/swelling of the genital area Cured with antibiotics Up to 40% of sexually active teens contract chlamydia. Bacterial Infections

Chlamydia can have serious complications if left untreated, especially for women. Each year, about one million women develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection of the internal reproductive organs. Studies estimate that about half these PID cases are caused by untreated chlamydia infections. PID can scar the fallopian tubes, which can cause infertility. Chlamydia

Bacterial Infections Gonorrhea Affects the mucus membranes of the body If left untreated can infect other parts of the body, including the heart Can cause fertility problems Symptoms include genital discharge, burning/pain when urinating, sore throat Cured with antibiotics Bacterial Infections

Syphilis A bacterial infection usually spread by sexual contact that starts as a painless sore Can cause serious health problems if it is not treated; divided into stages (primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary) There are different signs and symptoms associated with each stage. Symptoms include painful sores, flu-like symptoms, painless rash on hands, feet, or whole body, swollen lymph nodes, and hair loss If diagnosed early can be treated with antibiotics

Syphilis

Insect/Parasite Pubic Lice/Crabs Most often spread through sexual contact; could also be spread through clothing, beds, bed linens, or towels Symptoms include itching and redness Treated with special medicated shampoos and lotions Insect/Parasite

Viral- no cure, but treatment available Human Papillomavirus (HPV) There are over 100 different kinds/strands of HPV and not all of them cause health problems. Some kinds of HPV may cause problems like genital warts. Some kinds of HPV can cause cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulva, or anus. An estimated 8/10 sexually active women will get some form of HPV in their lifetime Can cause cervical cancer (internal) as well as genital warts (external) There is no cure, but there is a new vaccine available to protect from some strands of the disease. Viral- no cure, but treatment available

Viral- no cure, but treatment available Genital Herpes Symptoms include painful, watery blisters, burning during urination, & flu-like symptoms Outbreaks can occur as often as every month There is no cure, but medications can lesson outbreaks. This is an ongoing disease and the outbreaks are unpredictable. Viral- no cure, but treatment available

Viral- no cure, but treatment available Genital Warts Is a strand of the HPV virus and highly contagious. Warts may be round, flat or raised small cauliflower-like bumps. There is no cure for genital warts. Medication can be applied to the wart or warts may be removed by surgery or laser. Viral- no cure, but treatment available

ABSTINENCE There is only ONE way to 100% prevent STDs: -Abstinence is the choice not to have sex. -This method is 100% effective in preventing pregnancy and infection as long as all sexual contact is avoided, including vaginal, oral, and anal sex.