Sexually Transmitted Diseases

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A sexually transmitted disease -STD- sometimes called a sexually transmitted infection -STI- is spread from one person to another by sexual contact. It is estimated that one in five people in the United States has an STD and 25 percent of new cases of STD's are infected teens. All STD's are preventable. Theonly way to completely prevent STD's is through abstinence, avoiding sexual activity altogether. Some can be treated. Others last a person's entire life.

Some of these symptoms may indicate other diseases or conditions as well. Anyone who experiences any of these symptoms should be tested so that his or her exact condition can be determined and treatment begun.

Disease: Chlamydia

Symptoms: Pain when urinating. Women may feel abdominal pain, nausea, and low fever Note: Some people show no symptoms.

Treatment: Can be cured with antibiotics.

Effects: Can cause sterility - the inability to have children.

Disease: Genital Herpes

Symptoms: Open sores on sex organs,which go away in a few weeks, Painful urination,fever.

Treatment: There is no cure,Symptoms can be treated.

Effects: Can cause brain damage or death if passed to the baby during childbirth.

Disease: Genital Warts

Symptoms : Small growths on the sex organs,which cause discomfort and itching.

Treatment: There is no cure, but a doctor can remove them.

Effects: If left alone, they may become cancerous.

Disease: Hepatitis B

Symptoms: Cause flu like symptoms

Treatment: There is no cure, but a vaccine is available.It can prevent the disease.

Effects: Cane lead to liver disease or cancer.

Disease: Gonorrhea

Symptoms: Burning, itching, and the discharge of liquids from infected areas.

Treatment: Can be treated with antibiotics.

Effects: Can cause sterility in females. A baby born to an infected mother can suffer eye damage.

Disease: Syphilis

Symptoms: In early stages:sores on the sex organs,fever,rash, and hair loss.

Treatment: Cane be cured with antibiotics.

Effects: Can cause insanity and death.

Disease: AIDS

Symptoms: Caused by the human immunodeficiency virus HIV which can remain undetected in the bloodstream for many years.

Treatment Once HIV develops into AIDS, there is no cure.Some medicines can delay the development of AIDS.

Effects: AIDS lessens immunity to other illnesses, which cause death.

'It can't happen to me." Countless teens have thought that and they were wrong. The threat of STD'S is very real. There is only one guaranteed way of avoiding these problems - abstaining from sexual activity.

Special measures are usually taken to protect babies from the effects of STD's. Most doctors routinely test pregnant women for syphyllis and group B streptococcus. Many states require this by law. Doctors usually treat the eyes of newborns with a solution that will kill any gonorrhea germs that could cause blindness.