Quick FactsQuick Facts
Safe Sex
ANSWER:
Abstinence, or avoiding sexual contact, is your best and only 100% certain way of preventing STDs. There is really no way to have a sexual relationship with another person that does not put you at risk for STDs. Ideally you should wait to have sex until you are ready for a permanent relationship with just one person and when they are equally committed to this relationship and to only having sex with you. Even in this situation, there is a risk of STDs if you or your partner has had other sexual relationships prior to this relationship.
If you are having sex now using a latex condom is your first line of defense. Use a new condom every time you have sex. Many teens are embarrassed to buy condoms, but if you are old enough to have sex, you are old enough to act responsibly. Don't let embarrassment prevent you from taking care of yourself and your partner.
Think ahead and always be prepared!
More Ways to Protect Yourself if You are Having Sex Now:
- Have sex only with one partner who is not infected and is only having sex with you.
- Talk with your partner about past sex partners and about any needle drug use.
- Don't have sex with someone who you think might have a STD.
- Before you have sex, look closely at your partner for any signs of STD. If you see anything you are worried about, don't have sex!
- Use a latex condom (rubber) for oral and anal sex. Use an unlubricated condom for oral sex. Males and females should both carry protection.
- In addition to condoms, use birth control foam, cream, or jelly. These kill many STD germs.
- Urinate immediately after sex - this may help remove harmful germs from the urinary tract.
- Avoid using alcohol or drugs that can impair your judgment, making you more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors.
- Get checked for STDs every time you have a health exam if you have had sex. Remember not all STDs have symptoms!
- Know the symptoms of STDs. If you notice a symptom, go see a doctor.
- If you have a STD, your partner must get treated. Don't have sex until your treatment is complete.
HIV & AIDS
ANSWER:
The letters stand for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This is the virus that causes AIDS. Human means that the virus affects human rather than other forms of life. Immunodeficiency means that the immune system is not functioning as it should. A Virus is a submicroscopic parasite that can grow and reproduce only in living cells.
ANSWER:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that approximately 1.1 million persons are living with HIV in the United States. CDC’s analysis reveals that there were more than a million people—an estimated 1,106,400 adults and adolescents—living with HIV infection in the United States at the end of 2006, and that gay and bisexual men of all races, African Americans, and Hispanics/Latinos were most heavily affected. It is estimated that 39.5 million people are living with HIV/AIDS worldwide, and 50% of these are women. 25 million people have died so far. Half of all new infection in the United States occur in people under the age of 25. HIV is the 9th leading cause of death in people 15-24 years old.
ANSWER:
HIV is spread through an exchange of body fluids. This can be blood, semen, breast milk, or cervical-vaginal secretions. HIV is usually spread during sexual activity, but it can also be spread from one person to another by sharing needles such as with intravenous (IV) drug use. HIV can also be spread from mother to her unborn child.
ANSWER:
AIDS stands for Acquired ImmunoDeficiency Syndrome. Acquiredmeans that it is not part of your normal genetic code. Immunodeficiency means that the immune system is no longer working to successfully fight off diseases and infections. Syndrome in this case means that you have a combination of life-threatening illnesses. Being diagnosed with AIDS means that the HIV has basically destroyed most of your immune system. Usually it takes about 10 years for AIDS to develop. The length of time depends upon if you get treatment, your general health, and if you avoid unhealthy behaviors.
ANSWER:
There are no symptoms of the HIV until it has already begun to attack your immune system. Over time, the virus gradually destroys your immune system and you start to develop "opportunistic" diseases - or diseases that would not develop or be far less severe in the healthy person.
ANSWER:
If you have had un-protected sex (oral, anal, or vaginal) with someone who has, or could have the HIV - or - if you have shared needles when using drugs, you should have a HIV test.
STDs
ANSWER:
STDs are diseases that usually spread during sexual activity. There are many different types of STDs. Some STDs are caused by viruses, others are caused by different bacteria. Some STDs infect your sexual and reproductive organs. Others can cause general body infections. Sometimes you will have symptoms caused by the STD infection, while other times the symptoms may be so mild that you don't even notice that you have the STD. Either way, you have the STD until you have been medically treated. The consequences of untreated STDs can be sterility, blindness, and even death!
ANSWER:
Anyone who is sexually active is at risk for getting a STD. Remember that oral, anal, and vaginal sex acts as well as sexual play can result in infection. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) remain a major public health challenge in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that approximately 19 million new infections occur each year — almost half of them among young people 15 to 24 years of age.
ANSWER:
STDs are caused by germs or microorganisms that are passed between sex partners. Some STDs infect your sexual and reproductive organs. Others can cause general body infections. There are a variety of STDs. Some organisms are bacteria. STDs caused by bacteria include Chlamydia, Gonorrhea (Clap or Drip), Syphilis, Vaginosis, and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. STDs caused by viruses include Genital Herpes, HIV, Hepatitis B, and Genital Warts. STDs caused by parasites include Trichomoniasis, Scabies (Lice), & Pediculosis Pubis (Crabs).
ANSWER:
STDs are spread during close, sexual activity and during vaginal, anal, and oral sex. STDs can be spread between males and females, and between "same sex" partners. Some STDs such as HIV and Hepatitis B are also spread by contact with infected blood and body fluids.
ANSWER:
- Sores, bumps, or blisters near your sex organs, rectum, or mouth.
- A discharge (drip) from your penis or vagina.
- Pain during sex.
- Burning and pain when you urinate (pee) or have a bowel movement.
- Need to urinate often.
- Burning or itching around your sex organs.
- Swelling or redness in your throat if you've had oral sex.
- Flu-like feelings, fever, chills, and aches.
- Swelling in your groin around your sex organs.
ANSWER:
Get medical help. STDs do not go away even though the symptoms may get better. You still have the STD until you have been treated for the STD.
ANSWER:
Get medical help. You could be infected and not even know it!
Body Art - Tattoos, Piercings, Branding, Scarification
ANSWER:
Yes. Piercings, branding, and cutting carry the greatest risk. Tattoos also have a small risk.
Condoms
ANSWER:
DO's
- Use a new condom every time you have sex.
- Carefully open the package so that you don't damage the condom with a fingernail or other sharp object.
- Place the condom on the head of your erect (hard) penis. Carefully roll the condom down over the length of your penis. If it will not roll, turn the condom over and start over.
- Once the condom is unrolled, it should cover all or most of your penis. Squeeze out any air bubbles trapped inside the condom.
- Apply a few drops of a water-based lubricant to the outside of the condom if needed.
- After you have an orgasm, hold the base of the condom and withdraw your penis while it is still hard.
- Wrap the condom so that semen can not leak out and then dispose of the condom. Do not flush the condom down the toilet.
DON'Ts
- Don't carry a condom around in your wallet. Condoms should be stored in a cool place. Condoms are usually good for 5 years after the manufacturing date; condoms lubricated with spermicide are good for about 2 years.
- Don't inflate the condom like a balloon. This can lead to leakage.
- Don't use an oil-based lubricant. Oil-based products such as Vaseline, cooking oil, baby oil, etc. will break down the latex and cause it to tear or break.
The Teen Health Program website is funded through the Georgia Department of Public Health - Adolescent Health and Youth Development Program.