viral-std

Like bacterial STDs, these are also some scary sounding names. If you get some of these STDs, you can easily die. Viral STDs are caused by tiny germs known as viruses that can grow and multiply only while living inside a living cell. The human body provides the perfect place for these viruses to grow. These viruses cannot be killed and so there is no cure for these sexually transmitted disease, they can only be controlled with medication. Re-occurrences of the symptoms are common. Since some of these viruses don't produce symptoms for months or even years, it is difficult to know if you or your sex partner are infected.	Genital Herpes
	HIV & AIDS
	Hepatitis B
	Genital Warts

Genital Herpes is caused by the Herpes Simplex virus, type 2 (HSV-2). This virus is a cousin to the virus that causes common cold sores (Herpes Simplex virus, type 1). According to the CDC Genital Herpes is the most common STD in the United States with more than 45 million infected people ages 12 and above. This works out to 1 in 5 in the adolescent and adult populations It is most common in young heterosexuals who have new or multiple sex partners. There are approximately 1 million new infections yearly. Many cases of Genital Herpes are acquired from people who did not know they are infected or who had no symptoms at the time of the sexual contact.

How do I get this STD?	This STD is spread during vaginal, anal, and oral sex with someone who has Genital Herpes.
What should I watch for?	Symptoms generally show up 1 - 30 days after having sex. You will experience small, painful blisters on the sex organs, rectum, inner thighs, and mouth dependent upon the type of sexual activity. Females may develop these blisters inside the vagina. The blisters will usually last 1 - 3 weeks. While these blisters are wet, they are very contagious. But once you have the HSV virus, you can infect sex partner even if you have no blisters at the time. Males and females often have pain when they urinate (pee). Flu-like symptoms may also be present. What does it look like? Genital Herpes blisters may never develop again or you may have a milder case lasting only 4 - 10 days. You may experience some tingling or itching where the first blisters were located just before new blisters appear. What does it look like?
What happens if I don't get treated?	There is a treatment that will control the infection and the painful blisters. There is NO cure. You can give your partner Genital Herpes. A mother with Genital Herpes can give it to her baby during childbirth.
How can I prevent it?	Using a new latex condom (rubber) with a water-based lubricant every time you have sex may help prevent you from getting this STD. If the herpes sore is in an area that is not covered by the condom, and there is skin-to-sore contact, you are at a HIGH risk for getting this STD!

HIV & AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Once a person has the HIV in their bloodstream, they are known to be HIV positive. They may look healthy and not even know they are infected. But they can infect you. People can be HIV positive for many years before the virus destroys their immune system and symptoms begin to appear. At that point, the person is considered to have AIDS. AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. According to the CDC 800,000 to 900,000 people are currently living with HIV in the United States with approximately 40,000 new cases being diagnosed each year. The top ten states/territories in the US are: New York, California, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Maryland. The CDC estimates that at least half of all new HIV cases diagnosed in the United States are in individuals under age 25.

How do I get this STD?	This STD is spread during vaginal, anal, and oral sex with someone who has HIV in their blood and body fluids. They will not look or feel sick. They will not have any sores or rashes on their sex organs. The HIV is a silent and deadly killer! HIV can also be spread by piercings, tattoos, and other body art that is done with needles or sharp objects that are shared between people without proper cleaning. There is no evidence that HIV is spread through casual contact, by air, or in food. More Info on Body Art
What should I watch for?	Symptoms show up several months or even years after you've had contact with the virus. The most frequent symptoms include: Unexplained weight loss or tiredness. Swollen lymph glands. Night sweats Flu-like symptoms that do not go away. Diarrhea that does not go away. White spots in your mouth. What does it look like? *Infections that are hard to treat and come back over and over such as pneumonia caused by the Pneumocystis carinii* bacteria. Reddish-purple areas that develop on your upper body, face, and in your mouth which are painful and itch. These are known as Kaposi's Sarcoma. What does it look like?**
What happens if I don't get treated?	There is NO cure. Most people with the HIV will begin to develop symptoms within 5 - 10 years. The only treatments available at present work toward reducing the symptoms and prolonging your life. Once diagnosed with AIDS, most people die within a few years. You can give your partner HIV & AIDS. A mother with HIV or AIDS can give it to her baby during pregnancy. Babies who are infected with HIV generally live less than 3 years.
How can I prevent it?	Use a new latex condom (rubber) with a water-based lubricant every time you have sex.

Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by a virus known as hepatitis B virus (HBV). This virus attacks the liver and can cause a lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death. Unlike the HIV, HBV can live on a dry surface for at least 7 days. According to the CDC, an estimated 1 - 1.25 million people in the United States are chronically infected. In 2001 there were 71,000 new infections diagnosed with the highest rate of disease in 20-49-year-olds.

How do I get this STD?	This STD is spread during vaginal, anal, and oral sex with someone who has Hepatitis B. They may not look or feel sick. They will not have any sores or rashes on their sex organs. The virus can be spread by infected body fluids through cuts on the skin and through the mucous membranes. The virus has been found in tears, stomach juices, semen and urine. It can also be spread by piercings, tattoos, and other body art that is done with needles or sharp objects that are shared without proper cleaning.
What should I watch for?	Symptoms show up 1 - 9 months after contact with the Hepatitis B virus. Many people with Hepatitis B have no symptoms at all or very mild symptoms that might be confused with the flu. You might have symptoms such as mild fever, joint pain, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite, and nausea. A few people develop jaundice (a yellowish tint to their skin and the white part of their eyes). Your urine also may change colors to become a very dark yellow-brownish color.
What happens if I don't get treated?	You can give your partner Hepatitis B. Most infections will run its course and result in you becoming immune to the disease. This immunity protects you from further Hepatitis B infections. As a result of the infection, some people will develop cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure, liver cancer, and die. A mother with Hepatitis B can give it to her baby during the pregnancy. These babies generally become chronic carriers of the virus and can infect others.
How can I prevent it?	Get the Hepatitis B vaccine. Use a new latex condom (rubber) with a water-based lubricant every time you have sex. Do not share anything with an infected person's blood on it (toothbrushes, razors, needles of any kind, nail clippers, body piercing instruments!) More Info on Body Art

Genital Warts are caused by a virus called human papilloma virus (HPV). Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the name of a group of viruses that includes more than 100 different strains or types. Over 30 of these are sexually transmitted, and they can infect the genital area, like the skin of the penis, vulva, labia, or anus, or the tissues covering the vagina and cervix. Some HPV have been linked to cervical cancer in females and penile cancer in males. This STD is commonly found in teens and young adults who have multiple sex partners. According to the CDC, over 5 million people in the US are infected each year. Many people never have any symptoms, but carry the virus in their body. In women under the age of 25, 28-46% are typically infected with HPV.

How do I get this STD?	This STD is spread during vaginal, anal, and oral sex with someone who has Genital Warts.
What should I watch for?	Symptoms show up 1 - 8 months after contact with the HP virus. This virus causes small, bumpy warts that are brownish-red, pink, or the color of your skin. These warts are generally on your sex organs. They may also appear in your throat or rectum if you had oral or anal sex with an infected partner. They can also grow inside in your vagina and the urethra. Sometimes these warts occur in clusters and resemble cauliflower. The warts are not generally painful, but may bleed easily. Genital Warts often accompany other STDs. What does it look like?
What happens if I don't get treated?	There is a treatment that will control the infection and the warts. There is NO cure. You can give your partner Genital Warts. Untreated, these warts may continue to grow making it difficult to have sex, difficult to urinate (pee), and difficult to have a bowel movement.
How can I prevent it?	Using a new latex condom (rubber) with a water-based lubricant every time you have sex may help prevent you from getting this STD. If the genital wart is in an area that is not covered by the condom, and there is skin-to-wart contact, you are at a HIGH risk for getting this STD!