STD Notes. Myths about STDs

Transcription

1 STD Notes Sexually transmitted diseases (STD's) or sexually transmitted infections (STI's) are infectious diseases that spread from person to person through intimate contact. STD's can affect males and females of all ages and backgrounds who are having sex STD's have become common among teens so it's important to learn about them. STD's are a serious problem. If they are left untreated, they can lead to: - permanent damage - infertility - death Myths about STDs

2 MYTH: STDs are only transferred through sex FACT: Some STD's can also be transferred through skin-to-skin contact MYTH: Only trashy people get STDs FACT: STD's don't discriminate. ANYONE can get an STD MYTH: STDs are visible FACT: there's often no sign that a person has an STD MYTH: STDs can be avoided by having oral or anal sex FACT: There can be STDs for any kind of sex (oral, anal, vaginal or sexual contact) MYTH: once you've had an STD, there's no chance of getting it again FACT: You can get STDs more than just once Essential Truths! 1. The only way to 100% avoid STDs is not to have sex 2. If you do have sex, use a condom every time 3. If you have had sex, get tested for STDs

3 How do STDs get spread? - sexual activity at a young age - lots of sex partners - unprotected sex Chlamydia - a common STD - often, there are no symptoms - many do not know they have it - bacteria moves from person to person through vaginal sex or oral sex If someone touches bodily fluids that contain the bacteria and then touches his/her eye, a chlamydial eye infection is possible. It can also be transferred to a baby in the womb if the mother is infected. Symptoms of Chlamydia - pain during urination - unusual discharge - pain during intercourse - bleeding, swelling, burning - often, no symptoms! If left untreated, chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease which can lead to infertility. It is treated with antibiotics. Genital Herpes - caused by a virus - can cause sores in the genital area - transmitted through all sexual contact - can sometimes cause sores in the mouth

4 The virus cannot live outside the body for long, so you cannot catch genital herpes from an object such as a toilet seat. How do you know you have herpes? - lack of symptoms are common! - itching, pain - sores on vagina, penis, scrotum, buttocks, anus - red bumps turn into watery blisters that ooze or bleed After herpes disappears, a person may think the virus is gone, but it actually hides in the body. It will reactivate itself and the sores will return. If a pregnant woman has herpes, her baby can be born with meningitis, have seizures and get brain damage. Herpes can be passed to a partner even if the partner has no sores. Genital Warts - warts near genital areas - warts can be flat/raised, single/many, small/large - virus can live in the body without producing any warts

5 If left untreated, gonorrhea can move into the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and testicles causing infertility. HIV and AIDS - can also cause pregnancy problems and blindness in newborns HIV: human immunodeficiency virus - one of the most serious, deadly diseases in human history - HIV is a virus that causes the AIDS disease HIV makes the body's immune system attack itself. This makes the body very vulnerable to sickness.

6 Transferred through: - blood - semen - vaginal fluids - breast milk You can get HIV if you: - unprotected sex (oral, anal, vaginal) - sharing needles (for drugs or tattoos) - born from an infected mother HIV SYMPTOMS - symptoms may not appear for as long as 10 years! - it is still possible to infect others with HIV even if the person has no symptoms Doctors test people's blood for HIV and AIDS

7 People with AIDS might: - feel extreme weakness - lose weight rapidly - have frequent fevers - have minor infections - chronic cough There is no cure for HIV or AIDS! Hepatitis A Virus that comes from feces not so serious B Virus that comes from unprotected sex quite serious C Virus that comes from exchange of bodily fluids most serious Hepatitis - liver disease

8 Sign and symptoms of hepatitis: - yellowing of eyes and skin - fever, nausea, vomiting - stomach pain - dark urine Is there a cure? - Hepatitis A: rest and medicine - Hepatitis B and C: can sometimes be treated with medication, but a cure is not guaranteed Pubic Lice ( Crabs )

9 Pubic Lice - tiny blood-sucking insects in pubic hair - can also move through infested towels, clothing and bedding Symptoms of crabs: - intense itching - insects and eggs in hair - bite marks How do I get rid of crabs? - take medicine from doctor - wash all clothes, towels and sheets with hot water - tell all sexual partners Syphilis - bacterial infection - looks like a sore - transferred through all types of sex and pregnancy Syphilis: - if treated early, it can go away - if left untreated, it can cause serious problems and death!

10 Symptoms - red, firm, wet sores appear on genitals or mouth - disease still exists in body even if sores go away - rash on hands and feet if not treated - flu, fever If not treated, syphilis can spread to the brain, eyes, heart and spine. It can lead to blindness, numbness, and death. Syphilis can be cured with antibiotics if it is in the early stages. Late stage syphilis cannot be cured. Essential Truths! 1. The only way to 100% avoid STDs is not to have sex 2. If you do have sex, use a condom every time 3. If you have had sex, get tested for STDs