Learning About Sexually Transmitted Diseases Family Life Education Learning About Sexually Transmitted Diseases Lesson 5

Purpose This lesson will give you information on transmission, symptoms and prevention of the most common STDs.

Summary Please remember: STDs are transmitted through unprotected sex with an infected partner. ABSTINENCE provides 100% protection. You can use refusal skills to avoid risky behavior.

Introduce STDs “What is an STD?” Sexually transmitted Spread through unprotected sexual contact with and infected partner Can be easily transmitted Most people with an STD do not have visible symptoms STDs can be prevented

Bacterial STDs Caused by bacteria and are curable Treatable but repeatable Includes: Chlamydia Gonorrhea Syphilis

Viral STDs Caused by viruses and are not curable Medication can reduce or eliminate symptoms, but virus remains in body Includes: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Transmission STDs can be transmitted through direct contact with a sore/lesion or an exchange of semen, blood or vaginal fluid: Mouth to penis/vagina/rectum Penis to mouth/vagina/rectum Genital to genital without penetration Shared needles for non-sexual transmission

Consider the Risk With a partner complete “Consider the Risk” worksheet. Determine whether each behavior has No Risk, Some Risk, or High Risk for transmitting STDs. You should be able to explain your answers.

Consider the Risk BEHAVIOR NO RISK SOME RISK HIGH RISK Ear piercing with sterilized equipment Holding hands Kissing on the mouth Having sex Hugging Getting a dog or insect bite Giving first aid Sharing a needle

Indirect Transmission Behaviors that do not lead to direct transmission, but can lead to high-risk behaviors are: Spending time alone with your partner Going to an unchaperoned party Hanging out with older friends Using drugs or alcohol