Sexually Transmitted Diseases

As a teen, you've probably heard about sexually transmitted diseases otherwise known as STDs) in some form or another. Information about HIV and AIDS is in the news all the time, and magazine ads and TV commercials talk about treatments for herpes and genital warts. The words may sound scary, but what do they mean?

Most sexually transmitted diseases are types of infections that are spread from person to person. What makes them "sexually transmitted" is that they are usually passed from person to person through intimate sexual contact.

There are many people out there who have a reason to pay attention to all the talk about STDs: it's estimated that one in five people in the United States has an STD - and 25% of new cases of STDs are in teens.

What makes STDs so dangerous is that they are easily spread, together with the fact that it's often impossible to tell if someone has an STD just by looking at him or her. All STDs have one thing in common: they are spread via sexual contact, which includes sexual intercourse and anal or oral contact (many teens think you can't get STDs that way, but you absolutely can).

Another thing STDs have in common: they need to be accurately diagnosed and fully treated. Some STDs can lead to long-term problems such as infertility (the inability to have a baby) and permanent disability or even death if they are left untreated.

This means that if a person becomes sexually active or is considering becoming sexually active, he or she must have regular gynecological or male genital examinations. If you think you may have an STD or if you have had a partner who may have an STD, you should see a doctor right away.

Regular pelvic examinations are especially important for women. There are some infections that may or may not be spread by sexual contact. Bacterial vaginosis, for example, can easily be confused with common sexually transmitted diseases and with yeast infections. The most common symptom of vaginosis is an unusual white or gray vaginal discharge that has a strong fishy odor. If your vaginal discharge ever looks or smells unusual, it's very important that you see your doctor or gynecologist.

Just as with many other diseases, prevention of STDs is key - it's much easier to prevent STDs than cure them. The only way to completely prevent STDs is to abstain from all types of sexual intercourse. However, if you have sex, you must use a latex condom every time. This is the only birth control method that will help prevent most STDs - birth control pills, the ring, patch, and Depo-Provera don't offer protection against STDs (just pregnancy), and diaphragms or spermicides used by themselves don't offer enough protection.

Common STD'S

• Chlamydia - (pronounced: kluh-mid-ee-uh) is an STD that is caused by bacteria called CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS. Although you may not have heard its name, Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. The bacteria can move from one person to another through sexual intercourse or oral-genital contact. It can also enter the body through the eye: if a person touches bodily fluids that contain the bacteria and then touches his or her eye, he or she may get Chlamydia. Chlamydia can also be passed from a mother to her baby while the baby is being delivered. You cannot catch Chlamydia from a towel, doorknob, or toilet seat.
• Herpes - Genital herpes (pronounced: her-peez) is caused by a virus called herpes simplex (HSV). There are two different types of herpes virus, which are called HSV-1 and HSV-2. Most forms of genital herpes are HSV-2, however a person with HSV-1 can transmit the virus through oral sex to another person's genitals.
  • HSV-1 causes the cold sores or fever blisters that appear on or around the mouth, lips, or nose of many people. Most people have a cold sore at one time or another. It can be transmitted (passed from person to person) by sharing eating utensils, towels, and razors - or from kissing someone with a cold sore.
  • HSV-2 is a sexually transmitted disease. It causes herpes sores in the genital area, and it is transmitted through intimate sexual contact (vaginal, oral, or anal sex), especially from unprotected sex. Because the virus does not live outside the body for long, you cannot catch genital herpes from an object, such as a toilet seat.
• Genital Warts - Sometimes also called "venereal warts," genital warts are caused by a group of viruses called HPV (short for human papillomavirus). Some kinds of HPVs cause the kind of warts you see on people's hands and feet, but these warts are not sexually transmitted. Genital warts can be passed from person to person during intimate sexual contact (vaginal, oral, or anal sex). Rarely, genital warts are transmitted from a mother to her baby during childbirth. You cannot catch genital warts from a towel, doorknob, or toilet seat.
• Gonorrhea - (pronounced: gah-nuh-ree-uh) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The bacteria can be passed from one person to another through vaginal, oral, or anal sex, even when the person who is infected has no symptoms. They can also be passed from a mother to her baby during birth. You cannot catch gonorrhea from a towel, a doorknob, or a toilet seat.
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) - Pelvic inflammatory disease, sometimes called PID, is a progressive (meaning it becomes worse over time) infection of the fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, or ovaries. Most girls develop PID as a result of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. In the United States, almost one out of every eight teen girls who are sexually active will get PID. Teen girls with multiple partners and those who don't use condoms are most likely to get STDs and are at risk for PID.
• Pubic Lice (Crabs) - Pubic lice are tiny insects that can crawl from the pubic hair of one person to the pubic hair of another person during sexual intercourse. You can also catch pubic lice from infested clothing, towels, and bedding. Once they are on a person's body, the insects live by sucking blood from their host. Pubic lice are sometimes called "crabs" because when seen under a microscope they look like tiny crabs.
• Syphilis - (pronounced: siff-ill-iss) is caused by bacteria called Trepenoma pallidum. This type of bacteria is known as a spirochete, which is extremely small and can live almost anywhere in the body. The spirochetes that cause syphilis can be passed from one person to another through sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal, or oral sex). The infection can also be passed from a mother to her baby during pregnancy. You cannot catch syphilis from a towel, doorknob, or toilet seat.
• Trichomoniasis - (pronounced: trick-oh-moh-nye-uh-siss), sometimes also called "trich," is caused by a parasite (a tiny, one-celled organism). The parasite can cause vaginitis, the term for inflammation of the vagina. The parasite that causes trichomoniasis can be passed from one person to another during sexual intercourse. Trichomoniasis is one of the most common STDs. Unlike most STDs, trichomoniasis can live for a few hours on damp towels, washcloths, and bathing suits. If someone uses these towels or washcloths or puts on the bathing suit, the disease may be passed on that way.

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