Preventing Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Every minute in the U.S., an average of five teens get a sexually transmitted disease. (STD) Most cases occur among people who are 15-24 years old. They can damage a person’s body and his or her fertility. STD’s can cause discomfort, pain, or even death.

Abstinence is the only way to eliminate your risk of an STD Abstinence is the only way to eliminate your risk of an STD. It gives you 100 percent protection. Waiting until marriage to have sex can protect your chance to have a healthy sexual relationship. If you and your spouse have sex only with each other, you’ll be safe from STD’s.

HIV/AIDS The human immunodeficiency virus, also called HIV, breaks down the immune system. This is the body system that fights disease. Over time, HIV progresses into a deadly disease. The is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

AIDS To protect yourself from AIDS, you need to avoid contracting (getting) HIV. This virus is carried in bodily fluids. Contact with blood, semen, or vaginal secretions might occur during sexual activity. Sex is the most common way HIV is spread. You can also get it from touching or sharing an intravenous (IV) needle used by someone who has the virus.

Mothers can pass HIV to children during pregnancy, birth, or breast feeding.

HIV/AID has no cure. Medicines are available, however, that can slow the progress of the virus. Most people with HIV do not have symptoms right away.

To find out if you have HIV, go to your health care provider and take a blood test. This test looks for antibodies made by the body to fight HIV. If you test positive, this means you have the antibodies in your blood. You also have the virus. There is, however, a chance you could have gotten HIV recently. Your body might not have had time to make enough antibodies for the test to detect. You should be retested in six months to be sure.

Chlamydia Is the most common STD among teens. Sexual contact can spread the bacteria that cause this disease. Many people with chlamydia don’t have any symptoms. Those who do may have any of the following: A burning or itching sensation Painful urination Whitish discharge fro the penis or vagina Lower abdominal pain

Chlamydia can be cured with antibiotics. If untreated, it can cause both men and women to become sterile. In pregnancy, a woman can pass this disease to her baby. It can cause the baby to have a serious eye, ear, or lung infection.

Gonorrhea It is caused by bacteria that are spread through sexual contact. Many people with gonorrhea have no symptoms. This is especially true of women.

Symptoms of Gonorrhea Women— Yellow discharge from the vagina Painful urination Irritation of the vagina and cervix Men— creamy whitish or yellowish discharge from the penis painful urination burning sensation during urination.

Antibiotics can cure gonorrhea Antibiotics can cure gonorrhea. If it is not treated, gonorrhea can cause sterility, heart damage, and arthritis. In pregnancy, this STD can cause miscarriage or stillbirth. It also raises the risk of a baby being born too soon. Woman can pass gonorrhea to their babies during delivery. This can cause the baby to have a serious eye infection that can lead to blindness.

Genital Herpes It is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The virus is spread through physical contact with an infected person.

Symptoms of Herpes Headache Fever Aching muscles Pain when urinating Swollen glands. The most obvious symptom, though, is small blisters that appear in the genital and rectal area. These blisters look much like a cold sore or fever blister. They are very painful and highly contagious (easily spread to others).

After a few weeks the blisters heal, but the person still has the HSV virus. He or she will likely have repeated outbreaks of blisters in the future. May lead to certain cancers. If a pregnant woman has herpes, her baby might get the HSV virus through the placenta before birth.

The baby can also contract herpes by passing through the birth canal. Can damage the baby’s eyes and brain. For this reason, cesarean delivery is often done.

Genital Warts Both men and women may get genital warts. These are small, hard growths in the reproductive organs, bladder, and rectum. They often cause great discomfort. Caused by the human papilloma virus. This virus, also called HPV is spread through contact with the genital warts of an infected person. This happens most often through sexual activity, but can also occur from other physical contact. It can take 6-8 months after exposure before a person knows he or she has this STD.

It these warts get large enough, they can block the urethra, vagina, or rectum. The warts can be surgically removed, but they will likely reoccur. The HPV virus may lead to cancer of the cervix, penis, or rectum.

Syphilis Is a three stage STD that is caused by bacteria. The longer this treatable disease goes undetected, the more damage it does. During the first stage, a fairly painless sore called a chancre appears at the site of the infection. In the male this is the penis or anus. In a female the sore may be inside the body (on the cervix or the vagina). This makes it harder to detect.

In the second stage, a person may have one or more of the following: In a few weeks time the chancre heals itself. The disease is still present in the body, though. In the second stage, a person may have one or more of the following: Rash Hair loss Swollen glands Sore throat Weight loss Wartlike growths Fluid filled sores. The person is highly contagious at this time.

Effects of late syphilis: During the third state, syphilis is no longer contagious. However, it is most destructive to a person’s body. Effects of late syphilis: Brain damage Insanity Heart disease Paralysis Damage to the liver/ kidneys Damage to the nervous system Damage to blood vessels death

Early detection of syphilis is important Early detection of syphilis is important. This can be done with a blood test. It can be treated with penicillin.

Hepatitis Types B and C Serious viruses that can cause liver damage and liver cancer. Can be spread sexually. Pregnant woman can also pass them to their babies during delivery. Can be spread by sharing a needle, toothbrush, razor, or other item that has infected blood on it.

People must be sure when getting a tattoo or body piercing that a sterile needle will be used. Most people will not know they have B or C. May stay in the body for years.

They can be passed to others. Liver damage will occur and make them very sick.

Symptoms of Hepatitis B Weakness Nausea and loss of appetite Jaundice (yellow eyes and skin) Dark urine Fever Headaches Stomach, muscle, and joint pain Liver damage or cancer

A vaccine is available to prevent hepatitis B A vaccine is available to prevent hepatitis B. Having three does of the vaccine can protect a person for several years. Babies can be vaccinated soon after birth.

Trichomoniasis Is an infection that is caused by a one-celled animal called a protozoan. This infection, often called trich, lis usually passed sexually. Most men with trich have no symptoms. If they do: tingling sensation in the penis, painful urination, or a thin discharge. Women more often have symptoms from trich.

Vaginal discharge (yellow-green or gray) with a foul order Itching in the genital area Painful urination Abdominal pain Discomfort during sex

If trich is not treated, it can cause infections of the urethra, bladder, vagina, and cervix.

Pubic Lice Are tiny gray parasites that attach to the hair of the pubic area. They are very contagious and can be passed by close physical contact, including sex. Sometimes are called crab lice. They lay eggs, which hatch into even more lice. Cause itching and irritation of the genital area. Medicated lotions or shampoo can kill lice.

Scabies Is a skin infection caused by mites. It can be spread by close physical or sexual contact. Mites burrow under the skin and lay eggs. This causes itching, swelling, and a sore at the site where the mites enter the body. Medicated lotion can cure it.

Vaginal Infections Some, but not all, women have vaginal infections from time to time. This means the vagina becomes infected, swells, and causes a discharge. Vaginal area may be very painful or itchy. Caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina. Most common is a yeast infection.

Bacteria that cause these infections can be spread through sexual contact. They can also have other causes: Tight fitting underwear or clothing Fragrances or dyes in toilet paper, Soaps, Douches Bubble baths Certain medications Use over the counter medicine for cures.—Prescriptions may be need for some infections.

What to DO????? Check with a physician. Be tested often (if sexually active)

However, you don’t have to worry if you practice ABSTINENCE! C:\Documents and Settings\jwhite\Desktop\The Body Rick Sowadsky What Do the Symptoms of STDs Look Like.htm