<% Response.Redirect("/index.asp") %> STDs

Is A Sexual Experience
Worth...
YOUR HEALTH...?
YOUR LIFE...?

| Risks | Symptoms | Considerations |
  • STDs are the most common diseases in America next to the common cold and flu.
  • 1 in 5 Americans are presently infected with an STD.
  • 15 million become newly infected with STDs yearly - 41,000/day.
  • 45 million Americans are infected with an incurable STD.
  • 35 - 50 different kinds of STDs exist.
  • 20 different STDs are rampant amont the young.
  • 63% of all STDs occur in persons less than 25 years of age.
  • STDs infect 3 million teenagers each year.
  • 80% infected with an STD do not develop the initial symptoms.
  • STDs are contagious even though no symptoms exist.
  • New strains of STDs are resistant to treatment.
  • STDs often cause chronic pain and permanent damage.
  • STD infection increases the possibility of contracting AIDS.
  • Some STDs are incurable and can eventually kill.
STD
Symptoms
Damage
Numbers
Chlamydia
Men- Usually none. Some experience discharge from the penis
Women- Usually none. Some experience pain and/or vaginal discharge.
Men- Sterility.
Women- Considered to be the most common cause of sterility. Advanced stage may require removal of uterus, tubes, and ovaries.
1) 3 million new cases reported annually.

2) 75% are unaware they are infected.

3) 40% of those sexually active are suspected carriers.
Gonorrhea
Men- Pus from urethra. Burning upon urination.
Women- Pelvic pain. Painful urination and pus-like discharge.
Men- Sterility. Scarring of the urethra and urinary tract problems.
Women- Sterility. Surgery in severe cases.
1) 650,000 new cases reported annually.

2) 80% are not aware they are infected in the early stages.
Syphilis
Men- 1st stage: swollen nonpainful ulcers on external genitalia.
2nd stage: changes of skin, fever, enlarged lymph nodes.
Women- 1st stage: often unnoticed.
2nd stage: same as men.
Men- Brain disordrs, heart disease, blindness, dementia and death.
Women- Same as men. Can cause birth defects or death in newborns if mother is infected.
1) 70,000 new cases reported annually.

2) 50% are not aware they have this disease.
HIV/AIDS
Men- Fever, sore throat, fatique, swollen lymph glands.
Women- Same as men.
Men- Immune system breakdown, death.
Women- Same as men.
1) 6th leading cause of death among persons 15-24 years.

2) 20% infected during the teen years.
Genital
Herpes
Men- Lesions appear at the site of infection - periodic eruptions of painful blister and ulcers anywhere on the body.
Women- Same as men.
Men- Continuous outbreaks. Eventually may lead to hospitalization. Lifetime medication required.
Women- Same as men. Causes infant death.

1) 45 million infected.

2) 1 million new cases annually.

3) 75% show no symptoms.

4) 25% of women have this disease.
HPV
(Human Papilloma-virus)
Men- Wart-like genitals growths.
Women- Often no visible symptons. Some experience vulvar burning itching and pain. Abnormal pap smears.
Men- Cancer of the penis and anus.
Women- Initially premalignant changes difficult to eradicate. Develops into cervical cancer if not treated.
1) 20 million people are thought to be carriers.

2) 80 different strains exist today.

3) 75% of reproductive population is infected with this virus.
Hepatitis B
Men- Often none. Some experience yellowing of the skin (jaundice), tiredness, dark urine and grey-colored stool.
Women- Same as men.
Men- Severe liver damage. Can eventually lead to cancer of the liver and cirrhosis.
Women- Same as men.
1) 120,000 new cases annually.

2) 40% - 50% children born to infected mothers develop liver cancer.

PID
(Pelvic Inflammatory Disease)

 

 

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Men- This disease affects oly women.
Women- See Chlamydia & Gonorrhea. Often symptoms are minor and mistaken for menstrual cramps.
Men- This disease affects only women.
Women- Ectopic Pregnancy (fertilized egg implants in the fallopian tubes instead of uterus). Can be life-threatening. Sterility, & cancer common.
1) 1 million new cases annually; most in the 15-19 year age group.

2) 100,000 women become infertile as a result of PID each year.

If you are involved sexually...
You need to...

know the risks...

Beware...

 Your partner may not know he/she has an STD...80% infected do not know their condition.

Beware...

 Your partner may not tell you the truth if he/she has been sexually active in the past.

Beware...

 STDs are not prevented with condom use: 1) some STDs transmit skin to skin; 2) condoms have a 17% failure rate; that's 1 in 6.

Beware...

 You can have an STD and have no symptoms for weeks, months, possiblly years. STDs are contagious even though no symptoms exist.

Beware...

 Teens are much more susceptible to STD damage because they have a lower level of antibodies than adults.

Beware...

 It is extremely important to see a doctor for a check-up if you - or your partner - have had a sexual experience outside of marriage even though no symptoms exist.

Avoid the risks...

SAVE SEX FOR MARRIAGE
Women with STDs suffer greater physical trauma than men. An infant born to a mother who has an STD is also at risk of contracting the disease during the birthing process and can lead to serious problems for the baby. It is also possible for the newborn to conract an STD while breast-feeding if the mother is infected. STDs should not be taken lightly. Most are curable with antibiotics. Some STDs are not curable but they can be treated. Presently AIDS is the only STD 100% fatal to those infected. Do not let any symptom or question go unchecked. We encourage all to postpone sexual activity until marriage.
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"When you have sex with someone, you are having sex with everyone they have had sex with for the last ten years, and everyone they and their partners have had sex with for the last ten years." --C. Everett Koop, Former U.S. Surgeon General
 

Some Final Considerations:

If you engage in premarital sexual activity:
1) You are very likely to contract an STD.
2) You may have an STD and not realize it until it's "too late."
3) You could be legally liable if you infect someone.

If you discover that you have an STD:
1) You need treatment immediately.
2) You must stop sexual activity.
3) You need to notify sexual partners.

Heartbeat of Fremont
118 N. Arch St.
Fremont, Ohio 43420
(419) 334-9079
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Updated: February 12, 2004
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