Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
There are many infections that can be transmitted sexually. Because many STIs have no symptoms or take time to show up, the best way to tell if you or your partner have been infected is to be tested. A sexual partner from the past may carry the infection without knowing it and can infect anyone with whom he or she has had sexual contact. Any one who is sexually active should reduce their risks of contracting an infection by using condoms.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that has been around for a long time. It is a primary cause of pelvic inflammatory disease that can lead to infertility. Young people ages 15 to 25 are the most sensitive to this infection. Symptoms can include discharge or burning sensation on urination. Many people experience no symptoms and if left untreated it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease.
Chlamydia is treatable with antibiotics. Both partners need to be treated.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection very similar to chlamydia. Men are more likely to experience symptoms of burning and discharge, while women are more unlikely to have symptoms. If left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease.
Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is a viral infection. When symptoms occur, the infection is characterized by painful fluid filled blisters that develop 2 to 20 days after exposure. Although some people will only have one outbreak of sores, others will have recurrent outbreaks even when not sexually active. Normally the first outbreak is the most severe, but painful outbreaks can reoccur. Herpes is extremely dangerous to newborn infants. Pregnant women who have ever been infected need to inform their physician.
Genital Herpes is most commonly transmitted via intimate sexual contact. A person is most infectious when the sores are present, but it can be transmitted when the sores are not present. Cold sores, like genital herpes are a herpes simplex virus and can be transmitted to the genital area.
Can it be treated? Since herpes is a virus, there is no cure. However, there is medication available the will lessen the severity of an outbreak. The best ways to protect yourself are abstinence, limiting the number of sexual partners and regular use of a latex condom.
Genital Warts (also called Condyloma, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
Genital warts is a viral infection and may resemble warts that appear on other parts of the body. The virus is extremely common. It can be detected on the cervix by a Pap smear. Untreated warts on the cervix can lead to cervical cancer. Any woman who has ever had genital warts needs to have a regular Pap smear to look for changes in the cervical tissue.
Can it be treated? There is no cure for HPV. However the warts can be treated with acid or laser. Never use an over-the-counter medication meant for other types of warts.
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)
AIDS is a condition caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that attacks the immune system and weakens its ability to fight off infections. HIV may have no symptoms until a person has been infected for a number of years. Only those who become ill with serious life-threatening infections are diagnosed with AIDS.
How is AIDS transmitted? AIDS is not transmitted by casual contact such as hugging or shaking hands. HIV is most concentrated in blood, semen and vaginal fluids. If any of these fluids are infected and enter another person's body, that person is at risk of becoming infected. Most young people with HIV got the virus from having vaginal or anal sex without using a latex condom. It is also possible for the virus to enter the body through the mouth during oral sex or through cuts in the skin. People who share needles or syringes for injecting drugs (including steroids) are particularly at risk, because used needles can pass blood from person to person.
Can AIDS be treated? There is no cure for AIDS; however there are treatments available that can help some HIVinfected people to live longer. Treatment is very expensive, may not work for everyone and can have terrible side effects.
