What are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?
STDs or venereal diseases (VD) are infections passed from person to person through sexual intercourse, genital contact or contact with fluids such as semen, vaginal fluids, and blood (including menstrual blood). More than 25 infectious diseases are spread primarily through sexual activity.
How common are STDs?
Public health experts estimate that there are more than 65 million people currently living in the United States with an incurable STD. An additional 15 million people become infected with one or more STDs each year, roughly half of whom contract lifelong infections. Moreover, it is estimated that one-fourth of these new infections are in teenagers.
How do I know if I have a STD?
Many people are infected with a STD do not have symptoms and remain undiagnosed. For this reason, STDs have been referred to as "the hidden epidemic". If you have been potentially exposed to a STD, and have developed signs or symptoms that are abnormal, see your doctor. Depending on the nature of your STD, your doctor may seek consultation with an infection specialist. Because there are numerous causes of STDs, there are numerous signs and symptoms that can develop. The following web sites supply more detailed information on the signs and symptoms associated with specific STDs:
www.unspeakable.com/std-index.html
www.iwannaknow.org (for teenagers)
Remember, if you have potentially been exposed to a STD, and even if you do not have abnormal signs or symptoms, discuss your risk factors with your doctor at your next visit.
Does having a STD increase my risk factor for infection with the AIDS virus-Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)?
Yes. First remember that HIV is also a STD. Moreover, research has shown that individuals infected with a STD are as much as five times more likely to acquire HIV infection than those who have not been infected with a STD. HIV appears to be more readily transmitted in the presence of certain STD conditions, e.g. ulcers.
How can I prevent myself from acquiring a STD?
Only monogamy (you and your partner have sex only with each other) between uninfected partners, or sexual abstinence completely eliminates the risk of acquiring a STD. Safe sex guidelines are provided by the Centers for Disease Control website: www.cdc.gov/nchstp/dstd/dstdp.html "The 1998 Guidelines for the Treatment of STDs" page 3-6 will give you details on prevention of STDs.
Guidelines are also available in the "Healthwise Handbook-A Self Care Guide for You". The book can be obtained through many bookstores.
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