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Overview

There are more than 25 diseases that are spread through sexual contact. STDs are transmitted by body secretions, such as semen, blood and vaginal fluids. STDs infect men and women of all ages, racial backgrounds, religions and incomes - they do not discriminate. Anyone who is sexually active can contract an STD. One in five Americans - or about 56 million people - are infected with an STD at this time. There are 33,000 new cases every day. Sadly, 50-80% of these people are unaware that they are infected, because they are currently asymptomatic, and because they have no symptoms, they continue having unprotected sex, exposing even more people to illness and disease. Sadder still are those who know they're infected - but don't tell their partners.

While STDs do not discriminate, women and teens are at greater risk of contracting a disease during male/female intercourse than are men. Teens are at greater risk because they are more likely to engage in risk-taking behavior, and the teenage cervix is more susceptible to chlamydia and gonorrhea infections. The odds of a woman acquiring chlamydia in a single act of unprotected sex with an infected partner are twice as high as a man's risk under the same circumstances. And, because a woman's anatomy often hides early symptoms of disease, women also suffer more severe, long-term effects from STDs, such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.

Some people have no symptoms of STDs when infected. When symptoms do occur, they may include genital sores, pain and itching. Men may experience a discharge from their penis, pain during urination, and testicular swelling/pain. Women may experience vaginal discharge, have lower-abdominal pain, and/or pain during intercourse.

If you think you have an STD, it is very important that you be tested. Some STDs can be treated - and should be treated quickly. The sooner treatment is started, the better your chances are of minimizing the long term effects of most STDs. You should also abstain from sexual contact until you're sure you can't pass the STD on to someone else. Any recent partner should also be tested. Testing is available through your own physician, through a community clinic or your local department of health. If you want to speak with someone about STDs, call the National STD Hotline at 800-227-8922, Monday-Friday, 8am-11pm ET.

Chlamydia

The first symptoms usually appear 1-3 weeks after exposure.
Chlamydia has been called the "silent epidemic" because 75% of women, and 50% of men have no symptoms of infection. When they do they may experience painful or frequent urination, vaginal discharge, dull pelvic pain and bleeding between periods. Men may also have no symptoms. Symptoms they may experience include painful urination, and a cloudy or watery discharge from the penis.
Chlamydia is transmitted by vaginal, oral, or anal sexual activity; and to the eye by touching one's eyes after touching the genitals of an infected partner.
Cultures are taken to confirm diagnosis. Once diagnosed, chlamydia is treated with antibiotics.
If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) in women, which can lead to sterility. It may cause infertility in men.
An infected mother can transmit chlamydia to her newborn, who may develop pneumonia and eye infections.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is transmitted by vaginal, oral or anal sexual activity, or from mother to newborn during delivery.
The first symptoms of gonorrhea appear 2-12 days after exposure, and can include white or yellow discharge from the penis, vagina, or anus. There may also be pain on urination or during bowel movement. Infections in the throat are usually without symptoms.
It is estimated that 50% of women who have gonorrhea have no symptoms, although pain may develop in the lower abdomen 4-6 weeks after infection. Men may also show no signs of infection.
Cultures/smears will confirm diagnosis of gonorrhea. Once diagnosed, gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics.
If left untreated, gonorrhea may lead to PID in women. Men may experience urethral stricture, which can lead to difficulty urinating and sterility.
Newborns exposed at birth may be blinded by the infection, and may develop arthritis, hepatitis, heart disease, and meningitis.

Syphilis

Syphilis is transmitted by vaginal, oral, or anal sexual activity, or by touching an infectious chancre (a painless sore - develops where germs entered body, i.e., penis, vagina, anus, lips, breast, etc.).
The first symptoms of syphilis appear 10-90 days after exposure. Later symptoms include a rash or white patches on moist tissue in the mouth and genitals (which are highly infectious). Symptoms may come and go for 1-2 years.
A blood test or microscopic examination of organisms from sores will confirm diagnosis. Syphilis is treated with antibiotics.
Left untreated, syphilis can cause damage to skin, bones, eyes, teeth, liver or brain, insanity, paralysis, heart disease and death.
Newborns exposed to syphilis may contract "congenital syphilis," which can cause damage to skin, bones, eyes, teeth, liver, and death.
The open sores increase the risk of HIV transmission.

Herpes

Herpes simplex is transmitted by touching, kissing, mucous membrane contact with sores or blisters, sharing cups, towels, toilet seats, and is most contagious during active outbreaks of the disease.
Symptoms of Herpes simplex include cold sores or blisters on the lips, mouth or throat; painful, reddish bumps around the genitals, thighs, or buttocks. These bumps become blisters that fill with pus and break.
The first symptoms of genital herpes usually appear 2-21 days after exposure. Symptoms include clusters of tender blisters in the genital area, swollen glands and fever, usually during the first outbreak. Later outbreaks are less severe and may occur from 1-6 time a year.
Herpes can be transmitted by infected people who don't have symptoms!
Herpes infection is usually confirmed by an examination of the blisters or sores, and a culture may be necessary.
While there is medication available to help with some of the symptoms of herpes (acyclovir/Zovirax) - there is no known cure!
Many newborns exposed to herpes are severely damaged - and die - as a result of the infection. «40 million Americans currently have herpes, affecting more people in the United States than any other sexually transmitted disease.
Condoms do not always protect a person from herpes.
If you want to speak to someone about herpes, call the National Herpes Hotline at 800-361-8488, Monday - Friday, 8am-7pm ET.

HPV

The first symptoms of genital warts usually appear 1-3 months after exposure. There is usually no discomfort, but there can be local irritation and itching, and wart-like growths usually appear on the genitals, anus or in the mouth.
Diagnosis of genital warts is done by examination and pap smear.
If left untreated, genital warts can spread to block vaginal, rectal or throat openings.
Warts on the cervix are associated with abnormal pap smears and may increase the risk of cervical cancer.
Genital warts is a chronic viral infection and is not curable.
Genital warts can be removed with cryotherapy (freezing), podophyllin, burning or surgical removal.
Condoms do not always protect against genital warts.

Trichomaniasis

Symptoms of trichomoniasis (trich) usually appear within 1-4 weeks of exposure. Some women have no symptoms, but when they do the symptoms may include a heavy, frothy discharge, intense itching, burning and redness of the genitals, and a bad odor. Men usually have no symptoms, but may have a slight, clear discharge from the penis, and itching after urination.
Trich is diagnosed by a microscopic examination, or by culture. Trich is treated with metronidazole (Flagyl).
If left untreated, it can cause discomfort and be spread to other people.

Pubic Lice

Symptoms of pubic lice occur 2-4 weeks after exposure, and include intense itching, tiny blood spots of undergarments, nits (white eggs) in pubic hair.
Diagnosis of pubic lice is made by examination.
Pubic lice is treated with a prescription shampoo (Kwell), and/or nonprescription medications containing pyrethrins or piperonyl butoxide (RID, Triple X).
Skin infections as a result of scratching may occur if left untreated.

AIDS

The most serious "STD," AIDS/HIV is always fatal.
AIDS/HIV can be transmitted through semen, blood and vaginal secretions, and from mother to child during pregnancy.
It has a long incubation period - up to 15 years - and anyone infected with the disease can infect others all during this period, even though no visible signs of AIDS are present. (AIDS is characterized by fever, weight loss, fatigue, diarrhea, pneumonia and rare forms of cancer.)
A blood test detects HIV antibodies in the bloodstream, and a diagnosis of AIDS is usually made on the basis of antibodies and presence of specific diagnostic criteria.
There is no known cure for AIDS. Antiviral drugs are available to slow the progression of the disease.
Condoms are not 100% effective in preventing the spread of AIDS/HIV - they can leak - they can break - and they can deteriorate.
You can't get AIDS/HIV from giving blood or eating food prepared by a person infected with HIV.
Having multiple sex partners does increase the chance that you will be exposed to HIV, the virus that leads to AIDS.
If you want to speak with someone about 800-342-AIDS, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

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