Sex & Health.

What you should know about STD's (Sexually Transmitted Disease)

Introduction:
An estimated 19 million new sexually transmitted disease (STD) infections happen each year. More than 65 million people in the U.S. have an incurable STD. Most people have little knowledge of these diseases. It is important to educate yourself about them to protect yourself, your friends and your loved ones.

Chlamydia:
Chlamydia is a common STD caused by bacteria. It can be spread during vaginal, anal, or oral sex and can affect men and women. Many people have no symptoms. Some women might have an abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning when urinating. When the infection spreads, some women may have lower abdominal or back pain, nausea, or fever.
The more sex partners a person has, the greater the risk of Chlamydia infection. Chlamydia can be treated and cured with antibiotics. If not treated, the infection can cause an infection which can cause permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, uterus and tissues surrounding the ovaries.

HPV – Human papillomavirus:
Genital HPV infection is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Most people who become infected will clear it on their own.
HPV spreads primarily through genital contact. Most HPV infections have no symptoms. Some people get visible genital warts which may spread to the mouth through oral sex or have changes in cells of the cervix, vulva, anus or penis that could lead to cancer.
There is no cure for HPV infections. However, a new vaccine which will protect against four types of HPV viruses was approved by the FDA in June, 2006.

Syphilis:
Syphilis is an STD by a type of bacteria. Syphilis is passed by direct contact with syphilis sore. Sores occur mainly on the genitals, vagina, anus, in the rectum or on the lips or in the mouth. Syphilis can spread during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Many people infected with syphilis do not have any symptoms for years, but are at risk for later complications if they are not treated.

During the primary stage of syphilis one or more sores appear. The last hidden stage of syphilis has no symptoms. Without treatment, it may damage internal organs, including the brain, nerves, eyes, hear, blood vessels, liver, bones and joints. Penicillin is used for treatment in the early stages (infected less than a year).

Genital Herpes:
Genital herpes is an STD caused by the herpes simplex viruses Type 1 and Type 2. Most people have few symptoms. Others have one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. The Type 1 and Type 2 viruses are released from sores and from unbroken skin between outbreaks. Most people infected with Type 2 are not aware of their infection. In many adults genital herpes can cause painful genital sores that reoccur. In addition, genital herpes can cause potentially fatal infections in babies if the mother has sores at the time of delivery. Worldwide herpes may play a role in the spread of HIV among men and women who do not have same-sex partners.

HIV/AIDS:
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. This virus may be passed from one person to another through sexual and blood-to-blood contact.
The most common ways that HIV is transmitted from one person to another is by have sex (anal, vaginal or oral) with an HIV infected person, by sharing needles or injection equipment with an injection drug user who is infected with HIV, from HIV infected women to their babies before or during birth or through breast-feeding after birth.
AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. AIDS is a disease caused by the HIV virus that weakens the immune system. It is a routinely fatal disease.
The only way to know if you are infected is to be tested for HIV. You cannot rely on symptoms, because they are similar to those of many other diseases.

Hepatitis B and C:
Hepatitis B and C are serious diseases caused by viruses that attack the liver and can cause lifelong infection, scarring of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure and death. Hepatitis is spread by contact with the blood of an infected person and can be sexually transmitted. Sharing of needles among drug users also spreads the disease. Many infected people have no symptoms. Others might have jaundice, fatigue, dark urine, abdominal pain, loss of appetite or nausea. Those infected with Hepatitis C may have chronic liver problems, scarring of the liver, or death. Vaccine is available for hepatitis B, but is only effective if used before infection. There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C.

Gonorrhea:
Gonorrhea is a common STD caused by a bacteria. Gonorrhea is spread through contact between the penis, vagina, mouth, and anus. Any sexually active person can be infected with gonorrhea. In men, symptoms include a burning sensation when urinating or a white, yellow or green discharge from the penis. In women, the symptoms are often mild to absent.
Untreated Gonorrhea can cause permanent health problems. In women, it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease with severe abdominal pain, fever, and long-last pelvic pain. In men, gonorrhea can cause a painful condition of the testicles that can lead to infertility if untreated. Sever antibiotics can cure gonorrhea, although drug resistant strains are developing world wide.

How Can STDs Be Prevented:
The surest way to avoid infection with any sexually transmitted disease is to practice sexual abstinence (abstain from any sexual contact) while single. If you marry, select a partner who is not infected with an STD and remain sexually faithful during marriage.
Condoms do not provide complete protection from STDs. Infection can occur in both males and females whether or not a condom is used.
A review by the CDC determined that there is no clinical proof that condoms are effective in reducing the risk of infection from Chlamydia, genital herpes, HPV, or syphilis. Some protection was found for men against gonorrhea infection, but not for women. Condoms were found to reduce the risk of HIV/AIDS Transmission during vaginal sex by 85% when used correctly and consistently (following the directions exactly and using them at every occurrence of sex). Condoms still leave a 15% risk of HIV infection compared to not using a condom at all. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS , a routinely fatal disease.