Protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases (STD's.) Learn what they are, how they are spread, how to avoid them and how they are treated.
What is Sexually Transmitted Disease?
Sexually transmitted disease (STD) is serious, sometimes painful and can cause a lot of damage. Some STDs infect your sexual and reproductive organs. Others (HIV, Hepatitis B, and syphilis) cause general body infections. STD used to be called VD, or Venereal Disease.
Most STDs can be cured if you get treated. Sometimes you can have an STD with no signs or symptoms. Other times, the symptoms go away. Either way you will have the STD until you get treated. Some STDs cannot be cured.
How is STD Spread?
STD is spread during close, sexual activity. It is spread during vaginal, anal and oral sex. Some STDs (HIV and Hepatites B) are also spread by contact with infected blood.
Most STD germs need to live in warm, moist areas. That's why they infect the mouth, rectum and sex organs (vagina, vulva, penis and testes).
What to Do...
If you think you have an STD, get checked out. Don't just hope the STD will go away. It won't!
Most County Health Departments have special STD clinics. Private doctors also treat STD. If you don't know where to get help, call your local family planning clinic for information. No matter where you get tested, your case will be kept private.
You may feel embarrassed about having an STD. It may be hard for you to go to a doctor or clinic for help. But you must get treatment for the STC even if it is a hard thing for you to do. This is the only way you will get well.
Most STD's can be treated with antibiotics. To kill STD germs, do exactly what your doctor tells you. Be sure to use all of your medicine. You also must call your sexual partner(s). If they are not treated, they can spread the STD. They might even get it again!
What to Watch For...
Here are some signs that may mean you have an STD. If you have any of these symptoms, go to an STD clinic or a private doctor. Do not put it off - get checked out now.
Women:
- An unusual discharge or smell from your vagina
- Pain in your pelvic area - the area between your belly button and sex organs
- Burning or itching around your vagina
- Bleeding from your vagina that is not your regular period
- Pain deep inside your vagina when you have sex
Men:
- A drip or discharge from your penis
Both Women and Men:
- 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 (pee) often
- Itching around your sex organs
- A swelling or redness in your throat
- Flu-like feelings, with fever, chills and aches
- Swelling in your groin - the area around your sex organs
You Can Protect Yourself From STD...
Not having sex is the best way to protect yourself from STD. Having sex with only one uninfected partner who only has sex with you is also safe. Here are other things you can do to protect yourself:
- Talk to your partner about past sex partners and about needle drug use. Don't have sex with someone who you think may have an STD.
- Before you have sex, look closely at your partner for any signs of STD - a rash, a sore, redness or discharge. If you see anything you are worried about don't have sex!
- Use a latex condom (rubber) for vaginal, anal and oral sex. Condoms will help protect you from STD much of the time. Both men and women should carry condoms.
- In addition to condoms, use birth control foam, cream, or jelly. These will kill many STD germs.
- Get checked for STD every time you have a health exam. If you have more than one sex partner, get an STD check any time you think you might be at risk, even if you don't have symptoms.
- Know the signs and symptoms of STD. If you notice a symptom that worries you, get checked out!
- If you have an STD, your partner(s) must get treated when you do.
- If you have an STD, do not have sex until your doctor says you are cured.
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