Below are some basic questions and answers about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). STDs impact all individuals regardless of sex, gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, creed, or social class. For more information on specific and general STDs, testing sites, prevention, etc., visit The Center for Health and Counseling Services (D216/E115), The Women's Center (C220), Queer Peer Services (C220), or your own health practitioner.
What are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?
STDs are diseases that you get by having sex (intercourse, oral or anal) with someone who already has a STD. STDs are some of the most common infectious diseases (diseases that you get from another person) in the United States today. There are more than 20 kinds of STDs that affect more than 13 million women and men in this country each year.
What causes STDs?
STDs are caused by bacteria and viruses. STDs caused by bacteria include chlamydia ("kla-mi-dee-a"), gonorrhea ("gon-or-ree-a"), trichomoniasis ("trik-o-mo-ni-a-sis"), and syphilis ("si-fi-lis"). These STDs can be treated and cured with antibiotics.
STDs caused by viruses include HIV/AIDS, genital herpes, genital warts, and cytomegalovirus ("si-to-meg-a-low-vi-rus"). These STDs can be controlled, but not cured. There is no way to get any of these viruses out of a person's body once he or she has become infected. Finding and treating STDs early is the best way to take care of you.
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What are the most important things for me to know about STDs?
Here is what you need to know about STDs:
- People of all ages, colors, religious backgrounds, and income and education levels get STDs.
- Teenagers and young adults get STDs more often than any other age group. This is because they tend to start having sex at a younger age and have more sex partners. Almost two-thirds of STDs occur in people less than 25 years old.
- The total number of STD cases is going up.
- Many women do not have any obvious signs that they have a STD. Also, the signs of STDs can be confused with other problems and women may not get the right treatment.
- Even if a person has no signs of a STD, he or she can still be infected and pass on the disease.
- Women have a higher chance of getting a STDs than men. Young women have more chance of getting a STDs than older women.
- Women are more likely to have serious health problems from STDs such as:
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) - an infection in the uterus, ovaries, and/or fallopian tubes that can cause infertility (not being able to get pregnant) or an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy in the fallopian tubes instead of in the uterus).
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) - an infection that can lead to cervical cancer.
- Infant death or disability - mothers with STDs can infect their babies. Some babies die from the infection and other babies are born with serious health problems.
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How can I keep from getting STDs?
Here are ways to keep from getting STDs:
- Do not have sex (intercourse, oral, or anal).
- If you have sex:
- use a condom (also use a condom for oral and anal sex);
- ask your sex partner(s) if he or she has HIV/AIDS or other STDs, has had sex with someone who has an STD, or has sores, rashes, or discharge in the genital area; and
- get regular check-ups for STDs if you have sex with more than one person. Get a check-up even if you don't have any signs of a STD. A check-up cannot prevent STDs, but it can help to detect them in their early stages so they can be treated.
How can I take care of others and myself if I have a STD?
Here's how you can take care of yourself and others:
- Take all your medicine.
- Tell your sex partner(s) about your infection so that they can be tested and treated right away.
- Do not have sex when you are getting treatment for a STD.
- Use a condom when you have sex after being treated for a STD.
- Do not touch any open sores or rashes from a STD.
- If you do touch an open sore, wash your hands right away
