2.  Any pathogen that spreads from one person to another during sexual contact.  (Such infections are sometimes called sexually transmitted diseases, or STD’s)

3.  Short term may cause: ◦ Pain ◦ Discomfort ◦ Embarrassment  Long term may cause: ◦ Increased risk of certain cancers ◦ Increased risk of infertility in both men and women

4.  Many STIs can be treated with medicines, but some are incurable.  If left untreated, some STIs are fatal.  People do not develop immunity to STIs after being infected.  A person can be cured, and then reinfected with the same STI.

5.  Ignoring Risks: ◦ Being sexually active and not taking any precautions against infection ◦ Don’t realize the risks of contracting STIs or choose to ignore the risks. ◦ Adolescents tend to ignore the risks, thinking “It can’t happen to me”, but it can and happens to many teens.

6.  Multiple Partners: ◦ Many people begin in sexual activity at a young age ◦ Some people have multiple partners during their lifetime. ◦ The more sexual partners a person has, the greater the chance of getting an STI.

7.  Not Seeking Treatment: ◦ Some people don’t seek treatment due to embarrassment. ◦ Others don’t know they have an STI because they don’t know the symptoms. ◦ Some STIs have no symptoms and can only be detected by laboratory tests.

8.  Continued… ◦ Sometimes the symptoms go away temporarily, leading the person to think the infection has been cured. ◦ The infection may go untreated, increasing the chances that the person will spread it to others.

9.  Practice Abstinence  Avoid Drugs  Choose Responsible Friends

10.  The BEST way to avoid STIs is to practice sexual abstinence.  Sexual abstinence means not having sexual intercourse, oral sex, or anal sex.  Even teens who have not been abstinent up to point can still choose abstinence now.  Teens that are sexually active should be tested for STIs.

11.  Blood to blood contact ◦ Use of illegal drugs or inject steroids run a high risk of contracting certain STIs when sharing needles that have been contaminated with blood or an infected person. ◦ People who get tattoos run a risk of being infected with a contaminated needle.

12.  Sharing partners – anyone who engages in sexual activity with someone who has come into contact with an infected needle is at risk

13.  Drugs, including alcohol, also play an indirect role. ◦ Alcohol and other drugs impair the ability to think clearly, people may make decisions they later regret. ◦ For example, they may engage in sexual behaviors that place them at risk for STIs.

14.  Best way to practice abstinence and avoid drugs is to have friends that have the same values. ◦ Friends who support your decisions can make it easier to resist the peer pressure to engage in sexual behavior. ◦ Going out as groups, rather than as couples, can make it easier to choose abstinence.

15.  Parents, teachers and other adults can also provide support for healthy behavior choices.  It may feel uncomfortable at first to talk to a parent or other adult about the pressures to engage in sexual activity.  Most adults can offer helpful advice about choosing abstinence as the responsible and healthy choice.

16.  Trichomoniasis  Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)  Chlamydia

17.  Caused by a protozoan that infects the urinary tract or vagina.  In males symptoms include: ◦ Painful urination ◦ A clear discharge from the penis ◦ Some itching ◦ Most males experience no symptoms at all.

18.  In females symptoms include: ◦ Itching and burning in the vagina ◦ An unpleasant smelling ◦ Yellowish discharge ◦ Pain when urinating

19.  A doctor can prescribe medicine to cure trichomoniasis infection.  In males, if untreated, can lead to inflammation of the lining of the urethra, called urethritis.  In females, if untreated, can lead to vaginitis which is a vaginal infection or irritation.

20.  Most common viral STI in the USA.  In many cases, HPV causes no symptoms, so people may not be aware they are infected.  A vaccine made for females, should get between the ages of 9-27  Hangs out in the cervix and could cause cancer  Cervical Cancer, get a Pap test before it become life threatening

21.  Some forms of HPV cause genital warts, which may itch or burn. ◦ A doctor can remove the warts, but some may reappear. ◦ Sometimes the body’s immune system will destroy the virus, clearing the body of infection. ◦ In some people, HPV remains in the body for life.

22.  Most common reported bacteria STI in the USA  Has no symptoms  Causes problems with organs, joints and reproductive organs  Bacteria, treated with antibiotics

23.  Infected males – experience painful, frequent urination and discharge from the penis.  If untreated may lead to urethritis.  In females-has no symptoms other than yellowish vaginal discharge.

24.  If untreated can cause a serious infection of the reproductive organs called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). ◦ Can lead to infertility or an ectopic pregnancy, a potentially fatal condition where fertilized egg implants somewhere other than in the uterus. ◦ A pregnancy woman can transmit Chlamydia to her baby during birth. If the infected infant survives, it may suffer damage to the lungs or eyes.

25.  Gonorrhea  Syphilis  Herpes  Hepatitis

26.  Males – burning when urinating/puss  Females – no symptoms, usually carriers  Bacteria, treated with antibiotics  Can cause reproductive problems if not treated  Can be transmitted to baby during birth

27.  “Great Imitator”  Effects every organ in the body  1.) Skin Legion  2.) Get into other legions of the body

28.  3.) Can get into the brain and cause tertiary syphilis  Can cause just about anything and destroy every organ/joint in the body  Caused by a bacteria known as “Spirochette” which also cause “Lyme disease” (carried by a tick)

29.  HSV 1, HSV 2 (Herpes Symplex Virus)  Not curable  HSV 1 – effects facial features ◦ Not transmittable unless a sore is out (lips) ◦ Valtrex – drug – stops it and sends it back, doesn’t stop the disease

30.  HSV 2 – effects genitals ◦ Genital herpes ◦ Can be treated with antibiotics but is not curable

31.  B and C, called HBV and HCV are sexually transmitted infections that attack the liver.  Also spread by blood-to-blood contact.  Often unaware of the infection  Symptoms include-fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea.

32.  Both infections may lead to liver cancer or cirrhosis, a condition in which normal liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue.  Diagnosed by a blood test.  Medication may relieve symptoms but there is no cure.  Children are routinely vaccinated for HBV, no vaccine for HVC.

33.  Seek medical attention!!  Refrain from sexual activity and see a doctor.  Make sure all medication prescribed is finished.

34.  Notify any sexual partners, so they can seek treatment if they are infected.  If the STI is not curable, the doctor can offer advice about how to live with the disease and how to prevent passing it on to others.

35.  Human Immunodeficiency Virus -  AIDS  There are some drugs that can keep it at HIV  Some people never get AIDS because of drugs nowadays  Disease of lifestyle/choice

36.  Guys can transmit to girls, girls can transmit to guys  No vaccine for guys, guys can usually fight off the virus