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Sexually transmitted diseases (also known as STDs — or STIs for "sexually
transmitted infections") are infectious diseases that spread from person to
person through intimate contact. STDs can affect guys and girls of all ages
and backgrounds who are having sex — it doesn't matter if they're rich or poor.
Unfortunately, STDs have become common among teens. Because teens are
more at risk for getting some STDs, it's important to learn what you can do to
protect yourself.
STDs are more than just an embarrassment. They're a serious health problem.
If untreated, some STDs can cause permanent damage, such as infertility (the
inability to have a baby) and even death (in the case of HIV/AIDS).
How STDs Spread
One reason STDs spread is because people think they can only be infected if
they have sexual intercourse. That's wrong. A person can get some STDs, like
herpes or genital warts, through skin-to-skin contact with an infected area or
sore.
Another myth about STDs is that you can't get them if you have oral or anal
sex. That's also wrong because the viruses or bacteria that cause STDs can
enter the body through tiny cuts or tears in the mouth and anus, as well as the
genitals.
STDs also spread easily because you can't tell whether someone has an
infection. In fact, some people with STDs don't even know that they have
them. These people are in danger of passing an infection on to their sex
partners without even realizing it.
Some of the things that increase a person's chances of getting an STD are:
Sexual activity at a young age. The younger a person starts having sex, the
greater his or her chances of becoming infected with an STD.
Lots of sex partners. People who have sexual contact — not just intercourse,
but any form of intimate activity — with many different partners are more at
risk than those who stay with the same partner.
Unprotected sex. Latex condoms are the only form of birth control that reduce
your risk of getting an STD, and must be used every time. Spermicides,
diaphragms, and other birth control methods may help prevent pregnancy, but
they don't protect a person against STDs
Listen
Sexually transmitted diseases (also known as STDs — or STIs for "sexually
transmitted infections") are infectious diseases that spread from person to
person through intimate contact. STDs can affect guys and girls of all ages
and backgrounds who are having sex — it doesn't matter if they're rich or poor.
Unfortunately, STDs have become common among teens. Because teens are
more at risk for getting some STDs, it's important to learn what you can do to
protect yourself.
STDs are more than just an embarrassment. They're a serious health problem.
If untreated, some STDs can cause permanent damage, such as infertility (the
inability to have a baby) and even death (in the case of HIV/AIDS).
How STDs Spread
One reason STDs spread is because people think they can only be infected if
they have sexual intercourse. That's wrong. A person can get some STDs, like
herpes or genital warts, through skin-to-skin contact with an infected area or
sore.
Another myth about STDs is that you can't get them if you have oral or anal
sex. That's also wrong because the viruses or bacteria that cause STDs can
enter the body through tiny cuts or tears in the mouth and anus, as well as the
genitals.
STDs also spread easily because you can't tell whether someone has an
infection. In fact, some people with STDs don't even know that they have
them. These people are in danger of passing an infection on to their sex
partners without even realizing it.
Some of the things that increase a person's chances of getting an STD are:
Sexual activity at a young age. The younger a person starts having sex, the
greater his or her chances of becoming infected with an STD.
Lots of sex partners. People who have sexual contact — not just intercourse,
but any form of intimate activity — with many different partners are more at
risk than those who stay with the same partner.
Unprotected sex. Latex condoms are the only form of birth control that reduce
your risk of getting an STD, and must be used every time. Spermicides,
diaphragms, and other birth control methods may help prevent pregnancy, but
they don't protect a person against STDs.
Continue
ListenPreventing and Treating STDs
As with many other diseases, prevention is key. It's much easier to prevent
STDs than to treat them. The only way to completely prevent STDs is to
abstain from all types of sexual contact. If someone is going to have sex, the
best way to reduce the chance of getting an STD is by using a condom every
time.
People who are considering having sex should get regular gynecological or
male genital examinations. There are two reasons for this. First, these exams
give doctors a chance to teach people about STDs and protecting
themselves. And second, regular exams give doctors more opportunities to
check for STDs while they're still in their earliest, most treatable stage.
In order for these exams and visits to the doctor to be helpful, people need to
tell their doctors if they are thinking about having sex or if they have already
started having sex. This is true for all types of sex — oral, vaginal, and anal.
And let the doctor know if you’ve ever had any type of sexual contact, even if
it was in the past.
Don't let embarrassment at the thought of having an STD keep you from
seeking medical attention. Waiting to see a doctor may allow a disease to
progress and cause more damage. If you think you may have an STD, or if
you have had a partner who may have an STD, you should see a doctor right
away.
If you don't have a doctor or prefer not to see your family doctor, you may be
able to find a local clinic in your area where you can get an exam
confidentially. Some national and local organizations operate STD hotlines
staffed by trained specialists who can answer your questions and provide
referrals. Calls to these hotlines are confidential. One hotline you can call for
information is the National STD Hotline at 1-800-227-8922.
Not all infections in the genitals are caused by STDs. Sometimes people can
get symptoms that seem very like those of STDs, even though they've never
had sex. For girls, a yeast infection can easily be confused with an STD. Guys
may worry about bumps on the penis that turn out to be pimples or irritated
hair follicles. That's why it's important to see a doctor if you ever have
questions about your sexual health
transmitted infections") are infectious diseases that spread from person to
person through intimate contact. STDs can affect guys and girls of all ages
and backgrounds who are having sex — it doesn't matter if they're rich or poor.
Unfortunately, STDs have become common among teens. Because teens are
more at risk for getting some STDs, it's important to learn what you can do to
protect yourself.
STDs are more than just an embarrassment. They're a serious health problem.
If untreated, some STDs can cause permanent damage, such as infertility (the
inability to have a baby) and even death (in the case of HIV/AIDS).
How STDs Spread
One reason STDs spread is because people think they can only be infected if
they have sexual intercourse. That's wrong. A person can get some STDs, like
herpes or genital warts, through skin-to-skin contact with an infected area or
sore.
Another myth about STDs is that you can't get them if you have oral or anal
sex. That's also wrong because the viruses or bacteria that cause STDs can
enter the body through tiny cuts or tears in the mouth and anus, as well as the
genitals.
STDs also spread easily because you can't tell whether someone has an
infection. In fact, some people with STDs don't even know that they have
them. These people are in danger of passing an infection on to their sex
partners without even realizing it.
Some of the things that increase a person's chances of getting an STD are:
Sexual activity at a young age. The younger a person starts having sex, the
greater his or her chances of becoming infected with an STD.
Lots of sex partners. People who have sexual contact — not just intercourse,
but any form of intimate activity — with many different partners are more at
risk than those who stay with the same partner.
Unprotected sex. Latex condoms are the only form of birth control that reduce
your risk of getting an STD, and must be used every time. Spermicides,
diaphragms, and other birth control methods may help prevent pregnancy, but
they don't protect a person against STDs
Listen
Sexually transmitted diseases (also known as STDs — or STIs for "sexually
transmitted infections") are infectious diseases that spread from person to
person through intimate contact. STDs can affect guys and girls of all ages
and backgrounds who are having sex — it doesn't matter if they're rich or poor.
Unfortunately, STDs have become common among teens. Because teens are
more at risk for getting some STDs, it's important to learn what you can do to
protect yourself.
STDs are more than just an embarrassment. They're a serious health problem.
If untreated, some STDs can cause permanent damage, such as infertility (the
inability to have a baby) and even death (in the case of HIV/AIDS).
How STDs Spread
One reason STDs spread is because people think they can only be infected if
they have sexual intercourse. That's wrong. A person can get some STDs, like
herpes or genital warts, through skin-to-skin contact with an infected area or
sore.
Another myth about STDs is that you can't get them if you have oral or anal
sex. That's also wrong because the viruses or bacteria that cause STDs can
enter the body through tiny cuts or tears in the mouth and anus, as well as the
genitals.
STDs also spread easily because you can't tell whether someone has an
infection. In fact, some people with STDs don't even know that they have
them. These people are in danger of passing an infection on to their sex
partners without even realizing it.
Some of the things that increase a person's chances of getting an STD are:
Sexual activity at a young age. The younger a person starts having sex, the
greater his or her chances of becoming infected with an STD.
Lots of sex partners. People who have sexual contact — not just intercourse,
but any form of intimate activity — with many different partners are more at
risk than those who stay with the same partner.
Unprotected sex. Latex condoms are the only form of birth control that reduce
your risk of getting an STD, and must be used every time. Spermicides,
diaphragms, and other birth control methods may help prevent pregnancy, but
they don't protect a person against STDs.
Continue
ListenPreventing and Treating STDs
As with many other diseases, prevention is key. It's much easier to prevent
STDs than to treat them. The only way to completely prevent STDs is to
abstain from all types of sexual contact. If someone is going to have sex, the
best way to reduce the chance of getting an STD is by using a condom every
time.
People who are considering having sex should get regular gynecological or
male genital examinations. There are two reasons for this. First, these exams
give doctors a chance to teach people about STDs and protecting
themselves. And second, regular exams give doctors more opportunities to
check for STDs while they're still in their earliest, most treatable stage.
In order for these exams and visits to the doctor to be helpful, people need to
tell their doctors if they are thinking about having sex or if they have already
started having sex. This is true for all types of sex — oral, vaginal, and anal.
And let the doctor know if you’ve ever had any type of sexual contact, even if
it was in the past.
Don't let embarrassment at the thought of having an STD keep you from
seeking medical attention. Waiting to see a doctor may allow a disease to
progress and cause more damage. If you think you may have an STD, or if
you have had a partner who may have an STD, you should see a doctor right
away.
If you don't have a doctor or prefer not to see your family doctor, you may be
able to find a local clinic in your area where you can get an exam
confidentially. Some national and local organizations operate STD hotlines
staffed by trained specialists who can answer your questions and provide
referrals. Calls to these hotlines are confidential. One hotline you can call for
information is the National STD Hotline at 1-800-227-8922.
Not all infections in the genitals are caused by STDs. Sometimes people can
get symptoms that seem very like those of STDs, even though they've never
had sex. For girls, a yeast infection can easily be confused with an STD. Guys
may worry about bumps on the penis that turn out to be pimples or irritated
hair follicles. That's why it's important to see a doctor if you ever have
questions about your sexual health
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