Post by The Big PINK One♥ on Nov 13, 2007 7:54:09 GMT -5
Whats in a name?
Plenty, when that name just happens to be one of the many STDs or Sexually Transmitted Diseases around. Today, more and more young people’s lives are being challenged by STDs from AIDS/HIV to Gonorrhea, Herpes, and Syphilis. Although the information is out there, many people fail to protect themselves and/or get tested. In fact almost 90% of those with Herpes don’t even know they have it. That’s really scary! So, we decided to lay off the questions this week to take a brief look at the most common STDs out there.
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. Did you know there are more than 20 types of STDs out there? Wow!!! Take a close look at the most common ones below.
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria. You get it by having sex or sexual contact with someone who is infected. Chlamydia usually doesn't cause symptoms. If it does, you might notice a burning feeling when you urinate or abnormal discharge from your vagina. Chlamydia can cause infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease.
Gonorrhea is a curable sexually transmitted disease, most common in young adults. The bacteria that cause gonorrhea can infect the genital tract, mouth or anus. Gonorrhea does not always cause symptoms, especially in women. If there are symptoms, they may include: bleeding between periods, pain when urinating, and increased discharge from the vagina. If untreated, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, which causes problems with pregnancy and infertility. Gonorrhea can pass from mother to baby during pregnancy.
Herpes is an infection that is caused by a herpes simplex virus (HSV). Oral herpes causes cold sores around the mouth or face. Genital herpes affects the genitals, buttocks or anal area. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). You can get it from having sex, even oral sex. The virus can spread even when sores are not present. Mothers can also infect their babies during childbirth. Correct usage of latex condoms can reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading herpes.
AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. It is the most advanced stages of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV is a virus that kills or damages cells of the body's immune system, and most often spreads through unprotected sex with an infected person. AIDS may also spread by sharing drug needles or through contact with the blood of an infected person. Infected women can also give it to their babies during pregnancy or childbirth.
Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) are common viruses that can cause warts. There are more than 100 types of HPV. Most are harmless, but about 30 types put you at risk for cancer. These types affect the genitals and you get them through sexual contact with an infected partner. They are classified as either low-risk or high-risk. Low-risk HPV can cause genital warts. High-risk HPV can lead to cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, and anus.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria. It infects the genital area, lips, mouth, or anus. You usually get syphilis from sexual contact with someone who has it. It can also pass from mother to baby during pregnancy. The early stage of syphilis usually causes a single, small, painless sore. Sometimes it causes swelling in nearby lymph nodes. If you do not treat it, syphilis can cause a non-itchy skin rash, often on your hands and feet. Many people do not notice the symptoms for years. In fact symptoms can go away and come back.
Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a parasite. It affects both women and men, but symptoms are more common in women. Symptoms in women include a green or yellow discharge from the vagina, itching in or near the vagina and discomfort with urination.
How do you protect yourself from STDs? Well of course celibacy or not having sex is the best way to protect yourself from STDs, but if that is not a course your willing to take correct usage of latex condoms EVERY TIME is the second best option. It’s important to note that condoms do not totally eliminate your risk of certain STDs, so choose your partner carefully…it may mean your life (literally)!
If you find yourself suffering from symptoms that may have been described above, talk to your doctor or school nurse about your concerns. You can also visit your local health department or check out there website, most cities have free clinics that offer medical assistance. If you have no other options, visit your local community clinic or hospital. Regardless of how you get the medical care, make sure you receive it…the longer you wait the more you may be putting your body at risk for some serious, long term effects like infertility.
Plenty, when that name just happens to be one of the many STDs or Sexually Transmitted Diseases around. Today, more and more young people’s lives are being challenged by STDs from AIDS/HIV to Gonorrhea, Herpes, and Syphilis. Although the information is out there, many people fail to protect themselves and/or get tested. In fact almost 90% of those with Herpes don’t even know they have it. That’s really scary! So, we decided to lay off the questions this week to take a brief look at the most common STDs out there.
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. Did you know there are more than 20 types of STDs out there? Wow!!! Take a close look at the most common ones below.
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria. You get it by having sex or sexual contact with someone who is infected. Chlamydia usually doesn't cause symptoms. If it does, you might notice a burning feeling when you urinate or abnormal discharge from your vagina. Chlamydia can cause infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease.
Gonorrhea is a curable sexually transmitted disease, most common in young adults. The bacteria that cause gonorrhea can infect the genital tract, mouth or anus. Gonorrhea does not always cause symptoms, especially in women. If there are symptoms, they may include: bleeding between periods, pain when urinating, and increased discharge from the vagina. If untreated, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, which causes problems with pregnancy and infertility. Gonorrhea can pass from mother to baby during pregnancy.
Herpes is an infection that is caused by a herpes simplex virus (HSV). Oral herpes causes cold sores around the mouth or face. Genital herpes affects the genitals, buttocks or anal area. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). You can get it from having sex, even oral sex. The virus can spread even when sores are not present. Mothers can also infect their babies during childbirth. Correct usage of latex condoms can reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading herpes.
AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. It is the most advanced stages of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV is a virus that kills or damages cells of the body's immune system, and most often spreads through unprotected sex with an infected person. AIDS may also spread by sharing drug needles or through contact with the blood of an infected person. Infected women can also give it to their babies during pregnancy or childbirth.
Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) are common viruses that can cause warts. There are more than 100 types of HPV. Most are harmless, but about 30 types put you at risk for cancer. These types affect the genitals and you get them through sexual contact with an infected partner. They are classified as either low-risk or high-risk. Low-risk HPV can cause genital warts. High-risk HPV can lead to cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, and anus.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria. It infects the genital area, lips, mouth, or anus. You usually get syphilis from sexual contact with someone who has it. It can also pass from mother to baby during pregnancy. The early stage of syphilis usually causes a single, small, painless sore. Sometimes it causes swelling in nearby lymph nodes. If you do not treat it, syphilis can cause a non-itchy skin rash, often on your hands and feet. Many people do not notice the symptoms for years. In fact symptoms can go away and come back.
Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a parasite. It affects both women and men, but symptoms are more common in women. Symptoms in women include a green or yellow discharge from the vagina, itching in or near the vagina and discomfort with urination.
How do you protect yourself from STDs? Well of course celibacy or not having sex is the best way to protect yourself from STDs, but if that is not a course your willing to take correct usage of latex condoms EVERY TIME is the second best option. It’s important to note that condoms do not totally eliminate your risk of certain STDs, so choose your partner carefully…it may mean your life (literally)!
If you find yourself suffering from symptoms that may have been described above, talk to your doctor or school nurse about your concerns. You can also visit your local health department or check out there website, most cities have free clinics that offer medical assistance. If you have no other options, visit your local community clinic or hospital. Regardless of how you get the medical care, make sure you receive it…the longer you wait the more you may be putting your body at risk for some serious, long term effects like infertility.
{Source}
