Every year there are more than 15 million
new cases of STDs in the United States, including approximately 10 million new
cases among people aged 15-24. Put another way: By age 24, at least one in
three sexually active people will have contracted an STD. Many of those who are
infected don’t know it. All STDs are either treatable or curable. But if you
don’t deal with an STD, it can have lasting effects on your health. For
example, some STDs can cause recurrent symptoms, such as painful or itchy
sores, and a select few can cause infertility (meaning you can never have
children), increased risk of cancer, and even death for both women and men. The
most deadly of all STDs is HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Half of new HIV
infections occur in people under 25. And get this: Having one STD increases
your chances of contracting another STD, including HIV.
You can’t tell if someone has an STD by
the way he or she looks or acts. The only way to know whether you have an STD,
including HIV, is to get tested. Appearances can be deceiving. After all,
you’re not just having sex with that person but with everyone they’ve ever had
sex with…and everyone THEY’VE ever had sex with…and…well, you get the point.
Because lots of STDs have no symptoms (or only subtle ones), your partner may
not even know he or she has one.
It’s very important to know your own body.
You should be aware of any skin changes (like sores) on the genitals, as well
as any unusual discharge or discomfort when urinating; these could be signs of
an STD. Being aware of how your body works when it’s healthy will help you
recognize any symptoms that may signal an unintended pregnancy or an STD.
However, many STDs show no symptoms, so it is important to understand that the
only way to know whether you have an STD, including HIV, is to be tested. Talk
with your health care provider about which STDs you should consider getting
tested for.
TO BE BLUNT ABOUT IT The only
way to be sure you’re having safer sex is to keep your partner’s blood, semen,
or vaginal fluids out of your body. Abstinence is the safest method. But if you
are going to have sex, always use condoms for vaginal or anal sex and condoms
or dental dams (square pieces of latex available in some drugstores) for oral
sex.
HOW CAN YOU TELL IF YOU
OR YOUR PARTNER IS INFECTED WITH AN STD? A lot of times, you CAN’T tell if you’re
infected—or if your partner is infected. STDs, including HIV, often have no
symptoms, so many people who have an STD don’t know it. That’s why it’s so
important for you and your partner to protect yourselves.
Sometimes there are noticeable signs that
can indicate an STD. If you experience pain or burning during urination;
frothy, smelly discharge from the vagina, penis or anus; bumps, sores or
itching in the genital area; pain or tenderness in the pelvic area; or other
symptoms then you may have an STD. If you experience these signs, you need to
visit your health care provider as soon as possible so you can get tested.
GETTING TESTED It’s also
a good idea for you both to visit a provider or a clinic before you have sex to
discuss your risk and what STDs you should consider getting tested for. Many
people assume STD testing is a standard part of routine care, but if you don’t
ask, you can’t be sure you’ll be tested. In fact, it’s unlikely that your
health care provider would test you without discussing it with you first. HIV
tests always require informed consent.
Why is it so important to get tested
early? Because if you have an STD and don’t know it, not only could you pass it
on to your partner, but also, since you aren’t getting treatment, you could
compromise your health now and in the future. Some STDs are curable with
antibiotics; others, though not curable, have treatments that can help reduce
symptoms or lessen the disease’s effects. For example, if you have HIV, an STD
for which there is not yet a cure, finding out early is critical. It means you
can take advantage of new medications that can help you live a longer and
healthier life.
*Disclaimer
This information and advice published or
made available through this article is not intended to replace the services of
a physician, nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship.
Information in this article provided for
informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical
advice.
The author, publisher, and distributor of
this product assume no responsibility for the use or misuse of this product, or
for any injury, damage and/or financial loss sustained to persons or property
as a result of using this report. While every effort has been made to ensure
reliability of the information within, the liability, negligence or otherwise,
or from any use, misuse or abuse of the operation of any methods, strategies,
instructions or ideas contained in the material herein is the sole
responsibility of the reader.
You should not use the information on this
article for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. The
information is not intended as professional medical advice nor as
recommendations, neither should it be construed as the practice of medicine nor
as offer of medical advice.
You should consult a physician in all
matters relating to your health, and particularly in respect to any symptoms
that may require diagnosis or medical attention. Any action on your part in
response to the information provided in this article is at the reader's
discretion. Readers should consult their own physicians concerning the
information in this article.
The article’s author
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