10 Important Facts About Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) & Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)

1. WHAT ARE SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (STDS)?

Sexually transmitted diseases are diseases that can be passed from person to person through sexual contact. In this case sexual contact means penis-vagina penetration, oral sex which is sexual contact using the mouth, and insertion of the penis into the rectum which is anal sex. Some of these diseases may be transmitted by exchange of sexual fluids such as semen or vaginal discharge. Some of the STD's result in open sores, and it can be spread by contact with skin of someone else. There are also ways to transmit these diseases in a non sexual way, an infected pregnant woman can either give it to her baby during pregnancy, or when the baby is being delivered. Drug abusers can transmit the disease through sharing hypodermic needles that have been used by an infected person. The seriousness of STD's varies, some are cured easily by drugs, others need a combination of treatments and drugs, whilst others have no cure, and the only option is treatment.

2. WHAT ARE SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED IINFECTIONS (STI's)?

Any infection that is usually passed through sexual contact.

3. ARE THE TWO WORDS INTERCHANGEABLE?

Fifteen years ago both these categories came under one name Venereal Disease (VD). To distinguish between them they were separated into infections (STI) and diseases(STD). Infection means that a germ, bacteria, parasite or virus is present in the body. An infected person does not necessarily have any symptoms, which means that they do not usually feel ill..A disease is any abnormal condition of the body or mind that causes

discomfort, dysfunction, or distress, in other words your body tells you that you are unwell. This means that STI covers a wider range than the term STD. STD refers only to infections that are causing problems. Because most of the time, people don't know they are infected with an STI until they start showing symptoms of disease, the AIDS Resource Center uses the term STD, even though the term STI is also appropriate in many cases.

Let's see if we can simply un-muddy the waters here. Genital herpes has two states when the blisters are present and when they are absent. When they are

present they are causing symptoms, ie the blisters, at this stage it is an STD, and it is that this stage that the infection is most likely to be spread to another

person.When the blisters are absent then there are no symptoms, and this is then an STI, and the likelihood of an infection is reduced. However, HIV can be

an infection, in the sense that there may be no symptoms, when they develop symptoms then they have AIDS which is an STD. However it is important to

remember that HIV infection can be spread at any time.

4.WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STD'S AND HIV?

A person who is already infected with STD, has a higher risk of contracting HIV if they have unprotected sex, without a condom. This risk is greater if the STD causes open genital sores, as these wounds provide a break in the skin which enables the HIV infection to enter the blood stream. STDs that can

cause genital ulcers include genital herpes, syphilis, chancre, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis, and scabies.

5.WHY IS IT DIFFICULT TO RECOGNIZE THAT YOU MAY HAVE A STD?

First of all the majority of the people with STD have no immediate symptoms and when they do have them it can be misleading to diagnose as the

symptoms can be confused with non sexual diseases. Please note that this applies much more to women than men.

6. WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS FOR WOMEN WHEN THEY ARE SUFFERING FROM AN STD?

unusual or bad-smelling vaginal discharge,

severe itching or burning in the genital area,

unusual bleeding,

pain in the pelvic region,

pain during sex,

rashes on the genitals,

open sores or warts on the genital area, and/or recurrent urinary tract infections.

7. WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS FOR MEN WHEN THEY ARE SUFFERING FROM AN STD?

In men, the most common symptoms of STD are:

pain when urinating,

open sores or warts on the genital are

genital rash

discharge from the penis, and/or pain in the scrotum/testicles.

8. WHAT ARE THE OTHER SYMPTOMS NOT CONNECTED TO THE GENITALS?

The following symptoms are present in both men and women:

discharge from the anus,

swelling of the groin,

jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes),

oral thrush (white tongue),

arthritis,

sores or bumps in and around the mouth, and

generalized rashes.

9 CAN I CONTRACT STI AS A RESULT OF MUTUAL MASTERBATION?

Yes you can and listed below are some examples:

Bacterial Vaginosis

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

Herpes Simplex

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV, Warts)

Pubic Lice

Scabies

10. CAN I PREVENT GETTING STI or STD?

The only foolproof way is abstinence from sex. A condom merely reduces the risk, and it must be used every time, before any sexual fluids are exchanged.

The author is Billy Baker and he provides further information on this subject at STD Dating - Are You Up For It?

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The Myths And Facts Of STDs

Today, sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are the most common infectious diseases in the United States, with at least 25 different types affecting both men and women of all ages and ethnic backgrounds.

Types of STD

The many types of sexually transmitted diseases fall into three basic categories depending on the organism that causes them, which are either parasites, bacteria, or viruses. Bacterial STD, and the parasitic types, such as pubic lice or trichonomiasis, are able to be cured using medicine with an early diagnosis, but permanent damage such as scarring may still result. Many viral STD can never be cured, although some, such as herpes, can be treated or controlled with medication to reduce signs and symptoms.

Some of the most common sexually transmitted diseases today are:

- Chlamydia: The most common of all bacterial STD, and often referred to as "the silent STD" as there are usually no early warning symptoms for many people. Others may experience genital discharges, low-grade fevers, or painful intercourse, and or urination. Chlamydia, which is spread by any type of unprotected sex, is curable with antibiotic medication.

- Gonorrhea: Caused by a bacterium that thrives in moist, warm areas of the body, gonorrhea is spread through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex. With proper usage, condoms offer some protection against contracting gonorrhea, which is treatable with antibiotics administered either orally or via injection.

- Syphilis: Today, syphilis is treatable with antibiotics, such as penicillin, although this STD was once potentially fatal. Spread through any sexual contact, syphilis causes sores or open ulcers on the genitalia or mouth.

- Herpes: Herpes is spread through skin-on-skin contact and causes painful sores, itching, and flu-like symptoms. There is no cure for herpes and it is frequently contracted through contact with an infected person who has no visible symptoms.

- Human Papilloma virus (HPV): Genital warts, which may cause no outward symptoms, must be removed through freezing, laser treatment, or through the use of antiviral drugs. HPV is spread through sexual contact and may be detected during a gynecological examination.

- HIV/AIDS: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and currently, more than one million people in America are living with either HIV or AIDS. Flu-like symptoms are the most common, and there is no cure for AIDS, although several medications are used to slow the disease's progression.

Preventing an STD

Unfortunately, many people, teenagers in particular, never fully realize the risks involved with having unprotected sex and do not take measures to protect themselves. For example, an adolescent female is especially susceptible to certain diseases due to the fact that their cervix isn't yet fully developed, leaving the immature cells prone to becoming infected.

The 4 Most Common Myths About Sexually Transmitted Diseases

1. Myth: You can't get an STD if you have oral sex.

Fact: This myth is one that's most often believed by misguided teenagers and often results in contracting an STD. The three ways that STD are spread are through vaginal and anal sex, as well as through oral sex.

2. Myth: Taking The Pill will protect you from some STD.

Fact: This particular myth is perhaps one of the most dangerous of all, and more than likely the reason for many new cases of STD every day. While taking the birth control pill may help to drastically reduce the chances of pregnancy, it does not protect against any type of sexually transmitted disease whatsoever.

3. Myth: You can only get herpes when your partner has a visible outbreak.

Fact: The fact is, the virus that causes genital herpes is actually transmissible for several days before any visible signs of an outbreak even appear. Also, while condoms do provide some protection from some other sexually transmitted diseases, the areas where herpes blisters are usually present aren't protected or covered by a condom.

4. Myth: I have no signs of an STD, so I must not have one.

Fact: If you are having unprotected sex, there's always the possibility of contracting an STD. Some people, especially many women, do not show any signs of a sexually transmitted disease, or mistake them for some other condition, delaying diagnosis and treatment.

10 Quick Facts of STD

- An estimated 65 million people are currently living with an STD in the US alone.

- There are roughly 15 million new cases of STD each and every year.

- One out of every four new cases of an STD occurs in a teenager.

- One out of every four Americans is infected with genital herpes.

- 80% of all people with genital herpes are unaware that they are even infected.

- Over the course of their lifetime, one out of every four Americans will contract an STD.

- Up to 15% of female infertility and 12% of male infertility cases are caused by an STD that was left untreated.

- Some STD in women may cause cervical cancer.

- A woman may pass an STD on to her unborn child during the delivery, or shortly after giving birth.

- It is possible to become infected with more than one sexually transmitted disease at a time.

The facts of STD are undeniable so always use caution. Although condoms offer some protection from STD, abstinence, or a completely monogamous relationship between two people who are not infected are the best ways of protecting yourself from contracting a sexually transmitted disease.

N. Curtis has written dozens of health articles and is the author of the Amazingly Informative and Extremely Entertaining Free Special Health Report "It's Your Body, You Can Die If You Want To!" Check it out now at http://www.youcandieifyouwantto.com

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