SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE
Safe sex or no sex!
The most sure way to prevent sexually transmitted disease is by not having sex to begin with. But if you choose not to abstain, you can lower your risk of infection by using condoms correctly every time you have sex.
Here's some information about common sexually transmitted diseases.
HIV is an abbreviation for human immunodeficiency virus. This virus affects a person's immune system, and eventually leads to infections that are characteristic of AIDS (aquired immune deficiency syndrome). Eventually, the person dies from infections that the immune system was not able to fight.
Hepatitis is another serious virus that can come in four forms. Hepatitis can affect the liver and lead to serious liver damage and complications.
Syphilis is a bacterial infection that can be treated. If it is not treated in its early stages it can affect the heart, nerves and brain and eventually lead to death.
Herpes is characterized by genital or anal blisters that are extremely painful and uncomfortable. There is no cure for the actual herpes virus and therefore, once you contract it, you are likely to have more than one outbreak. There are medicines that you can take to help the blisters heal faster.
Genital Warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus. Certain strains of this virus can cause cervical cancer in women.
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that can be treated. It can affect the vagina, penis and anus and results in a burning sensations, pain, and a pus-like discharge. If not treated promptly, it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease in women which is a serious problem that can lead to infertility.
Chlamydia is also a bacterial infection that can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and female sterility if it is not treated in a timely manner.
If you suspect that you have one of these diseases or other sexually transmitted diseases, be sure to call and see your doctor as soon as possible. It is important to tell your sexual partner if you are diagnosed with any of these diseases.
References: Information about STDs was retrieved from www.justfacts.org and www.plannedparenthood.org.