News Article:
What Are STDs?
Each year, between 13 and 15 million new cases of sexually transmitted
diseases (STDs) are diagnosed in the United States. About a quarter
of these cases are in teens ages 15 to 19 - that means one out of every
eight adolescents contracts an STD. Unfortunately, many teens are unaware
of the dangers posed by STDs or how to prevent or identify them. As
a parent, you can help your teen stay safe by getting the facts about
STDs . . . and discussing them with your teen.
What Is a Sexually Transmitted Disease?
STDs are infections people contract through sex or intimate skin-to-skin
contact with someone who's infected. Some STDs are caused by bacteria
and can be cured with antibiotics, and others are caused by viruses.
Viral STDs can never be cured - the symptoms, such as sores or warts,
can be treated, but the virus remains in the person's body and can cause
those symptoms to flare up again at any time.
Some common STDs include:
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Chlamydia is one of the most common bacterial STDs and affects
about 3 million people a year in the United States. The highest
rates of infection are among girls ages 15 to 19. Chlamydia infections
usually cause abnormal discharge from the genitals and burning while
urinating, but in some cases, no symptoms may be present. In women,
untreated chlamydia sometimes progresses to pelvic inflammatory
disease (PID), which can cause infertility.
-
Trichomoniasis is a parasitic infection of the genitals that can
produce a foul-smelling vaginal discharge and genital pain in women.
Up to 5 million cases are reported yearly in the United States.
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Syphilis is an infection that can spread from the genitals throughout
the body. One of the earliest signs of syphilis is a sore (chancre)
on the genitals or mouth. This is often followed by fever, a sore
throat, headaches, or joint pain.
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Pubic lice is an infestation of small parasites that causes redness
and itching around the genitals.
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Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that can produce a greenish
or yellowish discharge from the genitals, a burning sensation when
urinating, fever, and abnormal vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain
in women. In the United States, gonorrhea is most common among girls
ages 15 to 19. Gonorrhea can become a systemic (spread throughout
the body) infection, causing fever, skin lesions, and joint infection
(arthritis).
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Genital herpes (herpes simplex virus or HSV) is a viral infection
that causes outbreaks of painful sores or blisters on the genitals,
buttocks, thighs, or mouth. There are actually two types of herpes.
In HSV-1, the sores usually start on the mouth but can spread to
the genitals. HSV-2 is usually the cause of genital infections.
-
Genital warts (human papilloma virus or HPV) are like warts elsewhere
on the body - they're caused by a virus. There are numerous strains
of HPV, all of which can cause itchy bumps in or around the genitals
or anus. It's believed that some forms of HPV put women at greater
risk for cervical cancer.
-
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that primarily affects the liver.
Hepatitis B symptoms include severe fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite,
vomiting, abdominal tenderness, and jaundice (yellow skin).
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Human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV)
is the virus that causes (acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome). Symptoms can take years to develop and
include frequent infections, fever, night sweats, swollen glands,
and fatigue. Eventually, AIDS is fatal.
How Are STDs Transmitted?
As the name indicates, STDs are usually spread through sexual contact,
including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. The viruses or bacteria that
cause STDs travel from person to person in semen, vaginal fluids, or
blood. Some STDs enter the body through tiny cuts or tears in the mouth,
anus, or genitals. Others flourish in the mucous membranes of the genitals
or the delicate skin around the rectum and genitals. Diseases that are
spread through blood like HIV and hepatitis B may also be transmitted
via needles shared by intravenous-drug users.
Contrary to what some teens think, you do not have to have sexual intercourse
to become infected with an STD. Someone can contract herpes or genital
warts simply through skin-to-skin contact with an infected area or sore.
And babies can get STDs from their mothers, either while in the uterus
(syphilis and HIV can be transmitted through the placenta and infect
the fetus) or during birth (gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital herpes, and
hepatitis B can be passed from mother to child during delivery).
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