All About STDs

A CDC study released in March 2008 estimated that one in four (26%) young women between the ages of 14 and 19 in the United States – or 3.2 million teenage girls – is infected with at least one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (human papillomavirus (HPV), chlamydia, herpes simplex virus, and trichomoniasis).

The CDC estimated that 19 million STD infections occur annually, almost half of them among youth ages 15 to 24.

18,768 Georgia teens ages 10-19 were reported to have a newly diagnosed sexually transmitted disease (STD) in 2001. Experts believe that many cases of STDs are not diagnosed or, if diagnosed, are not reported, making the impact of STDs on teens much higher.

So what are STDs?

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. STDs can occur again and again because immunity can not usually be built up and there are often no vaccinations against them. The consequences of untreated STDs can be sterility, blindness, and even death!

What are the different STDs?

STDs can be caused from many different types of germs. Different germs cause different STDs. The most common STDs are listed below. For more information about each type of sexually transmitted disease, click on the type below.

Warning: These links include links to graphic pictures!

Bacterial: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea (Clap or Drip), Syphilis, Vaginosis, & Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Parasitic: Trichomoniasis, Scabies (Lice), & Pediculosis Pubis (Crabs)
Viral: Genital Herpes, HIV, Hepatitis B, & Genital Warts
Fungal: Candidiasis (Yeast)

More Info About STDs

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. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 19 million people in the United States are newly infected each year - almost half of them among young people 15 to 24 years of age! About 18,768 Georgia teens ages 10-19 were reported to have a newly diagnosed sexually transmitted disease (STD) in 2001, including 5,606 cases of gonorrhea, 13,146 cases of chlamydia and 16 cases of primary and secondary syphilis. Experts believe that many cases of STDs are not diagnosed or, if diagnosed, are not reported, making the impact of STDs on teens much higher. Many teens are afraid to seek treatment and therefore continue to spread the disease to others.

The best way to protect yourself is not to have sex, or only have sex with one uninfected partner who only has sex with you.

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. The organisms or germs that cause STDs need warm, moist areas to live. That's why they can easily infect the mouth, rectum, and sex organs (vagina, vulva, penis, and testes). Women are at greatest risk for untreated STDs because many times symptoms go unnoticed.

If you think you could have a STD, you must get medical help. Don't just hope the STD will go away. It won't!

Most county health departments have special STD or Family Planning clinics. Call your local health department or your family physician if you think you have a STD. Your situation will be kept private. You can also call the CDC National STD and AIDS Hotlines at 1-800-227-8922 or 1-800-342-2437 to get more information. You can call the Georgia AIDS/STD Hotline at 1-800-551-2728 to receive information on where to go for confidential and/or anonymous STD/HIV testing in Georgia.

You may feel embarrassed about having a STD. You may be afraid to go to a doctor or clinic. But you must get treatment for the STD. Antibiotics are used to treat most STDs. Do exactly what the doctor tells you.

Be sure and take all of your medicine. Do not resume sexual relations until the doctor tells you. You also need to tell your sexual partner(s) that you have a STD. They will also need to go to a doctor for treatment. If they don't, they can spread the disease to others. They might even give it to you again!

General symptoms males and females need to watch for:

Sores, bumps, or blisters near your sex organs, rectum, or mouth.
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.

General symptoms females need to watch for:

An unusual discharge or smell from your vagina.
Pain in your pelvic area (between your belly button and your sex organs).
Bleeding from your vagina that is not your regular period.
Pain deep inside your vagina when you have sex.

General symptoms males should watch for:

A drip or discharge from your penis.

For more specific symptoms, check out the individual disease links in the section below.

NOT having sex . . . this is the 100% sure way not to get a STD!
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 a unlubricated condom for oral sex. Males and females should 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.