What Are Stds?

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.

Researchers have identified more than 20 different kinds of STDs, which can fall into two main groups:

     - STDs caused by bacteria - These diseases can be treated and often cured with antibiotics. Some bacterial STDs include: Chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and syphilis.

     - STDs caused by viruses - These diseases can be controlled, but not cured. If you get a viral STD, you will always have it. Some viral STDs include: HIV/AIDS, genital herpes, genital warts, human papilloma virus (HPV), hepatitis B virus, and cytomegalovirus.
Most STDs affect both men and women.

Things you need to know about STDs:

- Talk to your health care professional about the symptoms or log onto the Center for Disease Control Website for a complete list.

- You can get and pass STDs through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Trichomoniasis can also picked up from contact with damp or moist objects such as towels, wet clothing, or a toilet seat, if the genital area gets in contact with these damp objects.

- Talk with your doctor or nurse about getting tested for STDs. She or he can tell you how to test for each STD.

- While each STD causes different health problems, overall, they can cause cervical cancer and other cancers, liver disease, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, pregnancy problems, and other complications. Some STDs increase your risk of getting HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS can cause a number of health problems and raise the risk of getting life-threatening diseases and certain forms of cancer.

What is the treatment for STD’s?

The treatment depends on the type of STD. For some STDs, treatment may involve taking medicine or getting a shot. For other STDs that can’t be cured, like herpes, there is treatment to relieve the symptoms. It’s very important to get treatment for an STD. Contact your healthcare professional immediately to ensure treatment is started right away.

STD’s and Pregnant Women

- STDs can have many of the same consequences for pregnant women as women who are not pregnant. An STD may also cause early labor, cause the water to break early, and cause infection in the uterus after the birth.

There are steps you can take to keep from getting an STD:

•    Be faithful. Have a sexual relationship with one partner who has been tested for STDs and is not infected is another way to reduce your chances of getting infected. Be faithful to each other, meaning that you only have sex with each other and no one else.

•    Use condoms. Protect yourself with a condom EVERY time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

•    Know when you’re not protected: some birth control methods like birth control pills, shots, implants, or diaphragms, will not protect you from STDs.

•    Talk with your sex partner(s) about STDs and using condoms.

It’s up to you to make sure you are protected. Remember, it’s YOUR body

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What Are Stds?

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