Sexually Transmitted Diseases
What is a sexually transmitted disease (STD)?
It is an infectioun passed on during sexual activity, close genital contact, or occasionally the mixing of bodily fluids with one infected (as in deep french kissing or oral sex).
Can a condom prevent an STD?
Even when a condom is used and worn properly in every way, there is a 17% failure rate as far as pregnancy is concerned. When looking at condoms and STDs, there are two things to keep in mind:
1) Some STDs are passed skin to skin in the genital area, such as Genital Herpes. A condom does not protect at all in these cases.
2) HIV can be contracted with a condom due to the fact that the HIV micro-organism can be smaller than the microscopic holes left in the criss-cross fibers of the latex in the condom.
Can I be cured from an STD?
Some are curable with antibiotics, some STDs are viruses and are not curable, but can be treated during your lifetime. Presently AIDS is the only STD fatal to those infected. For more information, see STD chart below.
How can I know if I have an STD?
In many cases, the only way to know if you do have an STD is to be tested. Many STDs have no symptoms until much damage has been done. For more information, see STD chart.
How can I protect myself from STDs?
STDs are most often spread through sexual activity, but can also be contracted through genital contact without intercourse. The best way to protect yourself from STDs is to save sex until marriage, and to draw the line before any type of genital contact.
(STD Chart saved under “STD Stats”)
Facts about STDs
STDs are the most common diseases in America next to the common cold and flu.
1 in 5 Americans are presently infected with an STD.
12 million new STD cases are reported each year - 33,000 a day.
45 million Americans are infected with an incurable STD.
35-50 different kinds of STDs exist.
20 different STDs are rampant among the young.
63% of all STDs occur in persons less than 25 years of age.
STDs infect 3 million teenagers each year.
80% infected with an STD do not develop the initial symptoms.
STDs are contagious even though no symptoms exist.
New strains of STDs are resistant to treatment.
STDs often cause chronic pain and permanent damage.
STD infection increases the possibility of contacting AIDS
Some STDs are incurable and can eventually kill.
Is a sexual experience worth your health...your life?
If you are involved sexually, you need to know the risks...
Your partner may not know he/she has an STD....80% infected do not know their condition.
Your partner may not tell you the truth if he/she has been sexually active in the past.
STDs are not prevented with condom use: 1) some STDs transmit skin to skin; 2) condoms have a 17% failure rate in pregnancy - that’s 1 in 6. This means they can fail in STD prevention as well.
You can have an STD and have no symptoms for weeks, months, possibly years. STDs are contagious even though no symptoms exist.
It is extremely important to see a doctor for a check-up if you - or your partner - have had a sexual experience outside of marriage even though no symptoms exist.
A special caution to women...
Women with STDs suffer greater physical trauma than men. A woman’s sexual system is open (fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix) and much more susceptible to disease than a man’s closed sexual system. An infant born to a mother who has an STD is also at risk of contracting the disease during the birthing process and this can lead to serious problems for the baby. STDs should not be taken lightly. Some are curable with antibiotics. Some STDs are not curable, but can be treated. Presently AIDS is the only STD fatal to those infected. Do not let any symptom or question go unchecked. We encourage all to postpone sexual activity until marriage.
When you have sexual intercourse with an individual, you are in a sense having intercourse with every person they have had intercourse with and everyone they and their partners have had sex with for the past ten years.
If you engage in premarital sexual activity:
1) You are very likely to contract an STD
2) You may have an STD and not realize it until it’s “too late.”
3) You could be legally liable if you infect someone.
If you discover that you have an STD:
1) You need treatment immediately.
2) You must stop sexual activity.
3) You need to notify sexual partners.
All above information shared by permission of Grapevine Publications 208/345-3669
Changes and updates to this information provided by Dr. Terry Weston, M.D.