|
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
STDs, or sexually transmitted diseases, can occur in any sexually active person at any age, although the incidence is higher in younger people. Nineteen million new infections occur annually in the US, half of those in 15 to 24 year olds.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), "Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that you can get from having sex with someone who has the infection. The causes of STDs are bacteria, parasites and viruses. Most STDs affect both men and women, but in many cases the health problems they cause can be more severe for women. If a pregnant woman has an STD, it can cause serious health problems for the baby.
If you have an STD caused by bacteria or parasites, your health care provider can treat it with antibiotics or other medicines. If you have an STD caused by a virus, there is no cure. Sometimes medicines can keep the disease under control. Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not completely eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading STDs."
The STDs that get the most "press" are HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)/AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) and HPV (Human Papillomavirus). Actually, there are more than 20 types of STDs. Listed below are descriptions of the most common, provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Included are links to additional information and to descriptions of less-common STDs.
Common STDs and the Organisms That Cause Them
Many people are aware of the most prominent STD - HIV. However,
many other STDs affect millions of men and women each year.
Many of these STDs initially cause no symptoms, especially in women. When symptoms develop, they may be confused with those of other diseases that are not transmitted through sexual contact. STDs can still be transmitted from person to person even if they do not show symptoms. Furthermore, health problems caused by STDs tend to be more severe for women than for men.
Below are descriptions of several of the most common STDs, including information about incidence, symptoms (if any), and treatment.
HIV - Still Happening Way Too Often
Did you know that over 56,000 Americans are infected with HIV every year? One in five of those people do not know they are infected. That's because HIV is a very "silent" infection - usually there are no symptoms for 10 years or longer. Meanwhile, the virus is busy destroying essential parts of the immune system. Because symptoms occur so late, the Department of Defense tests all personnel for HIV on a regular basis. The effectiveness of today's newer treatments http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/treatment/index.htm make early diagnosis more important than ever. With timely treatment people who are HIV+ can live long and healthy lives.
If untreated, possible late symptoms of HIV infection are:
- rapid weight loss
- dry cough
- recurring fever or profuse night sweats
- profound and unexplained fatigue
- swollen lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck
- diarrhea that lasts for more than a week
- white spots or unusual blemishes on the tongue, in the mouth, or in the throat
- pneumonia
- red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids
- memory loss, depression, and other neurological disorders
However, the only certain way to diagnose HIV is by blood test.
The risk of HIV infection is increased by:
- having unprotected sex with someone who is infected,
- having multiple sex partners,
- having one or more other STDs,
- sharing needles and other illegal drug use equipment,
- passage of the virus from an HIV+ woman to her baby during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding.
|
HIV Is Preventable! Here's how:
Personal Safety
Abstain from sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal or oral).
Have a long-term monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner.
Use a new condom for every act of any kind of intercourse.
Needle Safety
Never share needles or syringes
Use new, sterile needle and syringe for every injection of a drug.
Get Tested
Get tested for HIV and other STDs before beginning a sexual relationship (your partner too!) and before becoming pregnant.
If Pregnant with HIV, Get Treated
If pregnant and HIV+ get treated for your infection (antiretroviral therapy) and take additional prescribed drugs to decrease risk for transmission to your baby (preventive drugs).
Listen & Learn:
In this PSA, Americans are encouraged to get tested for HIV. Created: 6/17/2010 by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Date Released: 6/17/2010. Series Name: CDC Radio.
Listen now!
|
