Sexually Transmitted Diseases

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     For your own safety, learn everything you can about all of the STDs (how to avoid them, how you know you have them, how you get rid of them-if you can) and the dangers.  Almost every STD is at epidemic level, especially among teenagers.  Rates of Syphilis, Chancroid, Genital Herpes, Genital Warts, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and HIV remain high.

     Any time you notice an unusual discharge, sore or swelling (especially in your genitals area), don't take chances with your health.  Check it out with a health professional.  If you have any STD, your chance of getting HIV goes up because your resistance is down!

"It can't happen to ME!"

     YES, it can if you're sexually active.  An estimated 12 million persons in the USA acquire a sexually transmitted disease each year.  You can get some STDs more than once and more than one at a time.  Mostly you get STDs through sexual contact but there ARE other ways.

Some STDs have symptoms that hurt or itch.  With others you might not even know you're infected unless you're tested or someone you had sex with tells you he/she may have infected you or unless a test is positive.  Get regular medical check-ups if you're sexually active.  Demand an STD exam.  Sometimes they aren't part of a routine physical.

It doesn't have to happen to you!

There are lots of things you can do to keep from getting STDs:

1. Don't have sex.  It's the best way to protect yourself from the AIDS virus or other STDs.  Not having sex will keep you from getting infected.  And you won't have a baby (or father one) before you're ready to handle the responsibility.
2. Re-think your attitude about having sex.  Level with your partner about past sex experiences.  Have a solid, faithful relationship with ONE person.  Get to know each other VERY well before deciding if you want sex to be part of your lives.  Don't take anything for granted!
3. If you do have sex, plan ahead.  Use a latex or polyurethane condom with spermicidal foam, film, gel or cream PLUS your regular birth control method.  Buy a top-quality condom.  Be sure it's dated for freshness.  Placed correctly before any sexually contract and removed carefully afterward, condoms offer some protection against HIV, other STDs and pregnancy.  NOTE: Some people are allergic to spermicides or latex.  Check it out with a health professional.  (Men with vasectomies need to use condoms, too.)
4. Look before you love.  Any sore, rash or discharge your lover has may be dangerous to YOUR health.  Be suspicious.  Don't believe it if your lover says, "Don't Worry" or "Trust ME."
5. If you have an STD, tell your partner (or partners if you've had sex with more than one person).  Don't have sex with ANYONE until your health professional says you're O.K.  You and your partner MUST be treated at the same time or you'll re-infect each other.
6. Go to a clinic, health professional or Public Health Station at once if you have a blister, pimple, swelling or sore in your genital area.  It can be serious!  A medical professional can tell if it's STD and prescribe treatment, if necessary.
7. Use an effective birth control method and carry condoms to protect your lover and yourself.  You may feel foolish pulling out a condom but it beats getting a life-time companion like Herpes or a killer disease like AIDS.
   

HIV and AIDS

     The Human Immuno - Deficiency Virus (HIV) weakens the body's immune system and can cause Acquired Immuno - Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) which makes it victim susceptible to life-threatening diseases.   HIV is spread by exchange of blood, semen and vaginal fluid during unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex with an infected person, sharing dirty needles in doing drugs, tattooing, body or ear piercing.  HIV-infected semen can enter a woman's or another man's blood stream through a minor cut in the mouth, rectum or vaginal area.  Infected mothers can infect babies during pregnancy or breast feeding.  Infection by bodily fluids such as saliva, sweat, tears or urines is highly unlikely, and HIV is NOT spread by casual contact such as shaking hands, hugging or sneezing.

     THERE IS NO SURE CURE!  If you think you or someone you have had sex with might be infected with HIV, get tested!  If the test is positive, get treated.  Anyone who is raped should be tested for HIV and insist that the attacker, if known, be tested.  It takes anywhere from a few weeks to months after a person has become infected before the test can detect HIV in the blood.  At greatest risk of infection are those who do drugs, plus men, women and teenagers who have unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex with many partners, remembering that those partners may be infected.

     Many approved medicines are available to slow the progress of HIV/AIDS.  More are being developed.  The best way to keep from getting AIDS is abstinence.  IF YOU DO HAVE SEX USE A CONDOM.

     When you do have sex with someone, you're having sex with everyone that person ever had sex with. SCARY!

How AIDS develops.....

     The AIDS virus (HIV) enters your bloodstream and destroys the T4 cells responsible for protecting you from infection.  It will leave you defenseless against one or more fatal diseases.  HIV has three stagers (if it runs its course):

1. HIV invades the body: Some people have no early symptoms, others have flu-like symptoms that disappears but the virus stays in the body and multiplies.  The stage may last for years.  The person may feel good and look healthy but can spread HIV through any sexual contact, exchange of body fluids or by sharing IV needles.  If you have shared needles or had unprotected sex, get an HIV test.  Early testing is strongly encouraged to diagnose and treat HIV with new medicines that slow and often halt progress of the disease.  NO CURE!
2. Intermediate Stage:  Almost everyone who has untreated HIV will develop AIDS-related conditions from a weakened immune system.  They may have a fever, night sweats, swollen glands, diarrhea, headache and feel rotten.  This stage can last for years.  The risk of getting full-blown AIDS increases rapidly as HIV multiplies in the body.
3. Full-blown AIDS: Breakdown of the body's immune system, exposing victims to cancer, pneumonia, TB or other deadly diseases.

BE RESPONSIBLE....PRACTICE SAFER SEX! Or no sex at all.  There are NO GUARANTEES that you won't get AIDS if you're sexually active, but take these precautions:

    USE A CONDOM CORRECTLY EVERY TIME YOU HAVE SEX! IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE and your partner's.

National STD Hotline

1-800-227-8922

8 a.m. - 11 p.m. EST Mon. - Fri.

National AIDS 24 Hour Hotline

1-800-342-AIDS

AIDS Hotline (Spanish)

1-800-344-7432