Sexually Transmitted Diseases

A.K.A
Sexually Transmitted Infections
The following information was developed by the California Family
Health Council, Inc. and is reprinted here with their permission. This
Bulletin Board is to inform and educate students on the risks of
Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Infections.
For source information and updated information on STDs and STIs
please visit, www.cfhc.org or www.teensource.org. These two websites
provide a wealth of information found useful in a college Residence
Hall setting.
Submitted By: Garrett A. Guillozet
Ohio Northern University.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

A.K.A
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Truths, Myths, Facts and Statistics

What is an STD or STI?

Sexually Transmitted Diseases are infections

that people usually get by having sex with
someone who already has one. Some STDs can be
treated and cured with antibiotic medicine, while
others cannot be cured. But many of the noncurable STDs can be treated to make them
easier to live with.
Common STDs That Can Be Treated and Cured:
Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Syphilis

General Information:

STDs left untreated can:

Be painful and make you very sick. A few can even

cause death.
Make it hard for a woman to get pregnant when she
wants to.
Make a man unable to father a child.
Cause birth defects or other health problems for a
newborn.

Millions of people have STDs. And most people

who get them are under the age of 30.

STDs are common.

You can have more than one STD at a time.
You can get the same STD more than once.

Non-Curable STDs

Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is an infection caused by a virus (a kind of germ).

You get the herpes virus by having sex with someone who has it.
It can be spread by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It can also be spread
by touching the infected area of someone who has it.
It causes small, painful sores or blisters. The sores can come and go. But
once you get herpes, the virus is always in your body.
Common Locations of the sores:
Mouth
Thighs
Butt
Penis
Vagina

Non-Curable STDs

Genital Herpes

Long Term Effects:

Child

could get Herpes by Birth

Higher Risk of HIV/AIDS infection
Pass it to others

Treatment:
Medication
Keep

Area of Sores Clean and Dry

Non-Curable STDs

Genital Warts (HPV)

Genital warts are small, often painless bumps in

or around the vagina, penis, or anus.
They are caused by a virus (a kind of germ). It is
called HPV (the human papilloma virus).
You get HPV by having sex with someone who has
the virus.
HPV is spread by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
Even if the warts go away or are removed, the
virus stays in your body and can be spread to
others.

Non-Curable STDs

Genital Warts (HPV)

Long Term Effects:

You can pass it to others.

You have a higher chance of getting HIV (the virus
that causes AIDS).

Treatment:

You may need an exam of the cervix or penis called

a colposcopy. Your clinician uses a magnifying glass
with a bright light to see the warts.
The warts can be removed by freezing or burning.
Most people need to have more than one visit to
remove all the warts.

Non-Curable STDs

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is an infection of the

liver. It can't be cured.
Hepatitis B is caused by a virus (a
kind of germ).
You could get Hepatitis B if you:
Have sex with someone who has
the virus
Share needles or drugs.
Share earrings, razors, nail
clippers, or toothbrushes.
Pierce your body or get a tattoo
when infected tools are used.
Touch infected blood or bodily
fluids.

Non-Curable STDs

Hepatitis B

Symptoms:
Some people get these signs:
Yellow skin or eyes
No appetite (they don't want to eat)
Feeling tired
Brown or dark urine (pee)
Light or gray stools
Long Term Effects:
You can give it to others.
You have a higher chance of getting HIV (the virus that causes
AIDS).
Chronic hepatitis can badly damage your liver. It can lead to cancer
and even death.
Treatment:
Specific for each person

Non-Curable STDs
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.

You can get HIV if you do any of the
following:
Have sex with someone who has
HIV. It can be spread by having
vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Your
partner could have HIV and not
know it.
Share needles with someone who
has HIV.

Non-Curable STDs
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

You or your partner can have HIV and not know it. It can be
months or years before you feel sick or have any serious
signs. But you can still pass HIV to others. Though some
people have no symptoms, some signs of HIV may include:

Rapid weight loss

Fever
Diarrhea
Night sweats
Feeling very tired
Thrush

HIV Spreads Through:

Blood
Pre-"cum"
Semen
Vaginal fluids
Breast milk

Non-Curable STDs

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

Long Term Effects:

You can give it to others.

You have a higher chance of getting other STDs and

infections.

Dangerous weight loss

Cancer

Mental problems

Blindness

HIV can also cause death

Treatment:

There Is no cure, but some medications can help

Curable STDs

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is an infection of the penis, vagina,

throat, or tube that carries urine.
Chlamydia is caused by bacteria (a kind of
germ).
You get it by having sex with someone who
has Chlamydia.
Chlamydia can be spread by the vagina, penis,
mouth, or anus.

Curable STDs

Chlamydia

Symptoms:

A thick yellow or clear discharge from the penis

or vagina
Pain or burning when they urinate (pee)
Pain during sex

Treatment:

Medications to cure, and must continue all

medication
Do not have sex for at least one week after you
start your treatment

Curable STDs

Syphilis

Syphilis is a dangerous disease that can affect the

whole body.

Syphilis is caused by bacteria (a kind of germ).

You get syphilis by having sex with someone who has it.
Syphilis can be spread by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Symptoms:

A sore on or near the vagina, penis, mouth, or anus.

You may not even see or feel the sore.
It heals by itself even if it is not treated. But you still
have syphilis.

Curable STDs

Syphilis

Long-term effects:
Syphilis

can be cured with medicine. But if

you don't get treated, you could:
Pass it on to others.
Have a higher chance of getting HIV (the
virus that causes AIDS).

Treatment:
Medications

prescribed by a Doctor

Curable STDs

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is an infection of the penis, vagina,

anus, or throat.

Gonorrhea is caused by bacteria (a kind of

germ).
You get gonorrhea by having sex with someone
who has it.
Gonorrhea can be spread by having vaginal, anal,
or oral sex.

Curable STDs

Gonorrhea

Symptoms:

Pain when you urinate (pee) or have a bowel movement

A yellow discharge from the penis or vagina
For men, pain in the testicles
For women, pain or tenderness in the abdomen
A sore throat

Treatment:

Medication prescribed by a Doctor

The following information was developed by the California Family

Health Council, Inc. and is reprinted here with their permission.
This Bulletin Board is to inform and educate students on the risks
of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Infections.
For source information and updated information on STDs and STIs
please visit, www.cfhc.org or www.teensource.org. These two
websites provide a wealth of information found useful in a college
residence Hall setting.
Submitted By: Garrett A. Guillozet
Ohio Northern University.