STDs also called sexually transmitted infections, or STIs. It’s important to learn about STDs
so you can protect yourself
. Most STDs can be prevented by using a condom the right way, every time someone has sex.
Why is it important to talk about STDs?
It can make it easier to talk if you think of
STDs as a medical problem
— with serious health consequences. Learn everything you can about STDs. Knowing the facts can give you confidence and help you answer your partner’s questions.
Why is it important to protect yourself from STDs?
The good news is that
sexually transmitted diseases are preventable
, and when diagnosed early, many can be treated effectively. Most STDs affect both men and women, but in many cases, women pay a higher price in terms of health problems. For example, some STDs can lead to infertility.
Why is it important to learn about the reasons STDs go undiagnosed and untreated?
Undiagnosed STDs
can affect your reproductive health
. Chlamydia and gonorrhea can proceed to pelvic inflammatory disease in women and cause infertility in both women and men. What you don’t know truly can affect you for the rest of your life. Both chlamydia and gonorrhea can be cured with early treatment.
How do you explain a STD?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections you can get by having sex with someone who has an infection. These infections are usually passed from
person to person through vaginal intercourse
. They can also be passed through anal sex, oral sex, or skin-to-skin contact.
What is bad about STDs?
Some curable STDs can be dangerous if they aren’t treated. For example, if left untreated, chlamydia and gonorrhea can make it difficult—or even impossible—for a woman to get pregnant. You also increase your chances of getting HIV if you have an untreated STD. Some STDs, like HIV, can be
fatal
if left untreated.
Can you get STD from kissing?
Although kissing is considered to be low-risk when compared to intercourse and oral sex, it’s
possible for kissing to transmit CMV, herpes, and syphilis
. CMV can be present in saliva, and herpes and syphilis can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, particularly at times when sores are present.
How do you protect yourself from STDs?
- Stop having sex until you see a doctor and are treated.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions for treatment.
- Use condoms whenever you have sex, especially with new partners.
- Don’t resume having sex unless your doctor says it’s OK.
- Return to your doctor to get rechecked.
How can you avoid getting STDs?
Use Condoms
Using a condom correctly every time
you have sex can help you avoid STDs. Condoms lessen the risk of infection for all STDs. You still can get certain STDs, like herpes or HPV, from contact with your partner’s skin even when using a condom.
Can STDs be cured?
Viral STDs cannot be cured
, but you can manage symptoms with medications. There is a vaccine against hepatitis B, but it will not help if you already have the disease.
What happens when STDs are not treated?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) as they are also referred to, often have no symptoms. However, if left untreated there can be serious consequences including
blindness and other neurologic manifestations, infertility, mother-to-child transmission or birth defects
.
Which STD can be treated with antibiotics?
Antibiotics, often in a single dose, can cure many sexually transmitted bacterial and parasitic infections, including
gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia and trichomoniasis
. Typically, you’ll be treated for gonorrhea and chlamydia at the same time because the two infections often appear together.
What are at least 3 symptoms of common STDs?
- Sores or bumps on the genitals or in the oral or rectal area.
- Painful or burning urination.
- Discharge from the penis.
- Unusual or odorous vaginal discharge.
- Unusual vaginal bleeding.
- Pain during sex.
- Sore, swollen lymph nodes, particularly in the groin but sometimes more widespread.
- Lower abdominal pain.
How can STD be transmitted?
STD stands for Sexually Transmitted Disease, which is a disease that is spread
through sexual behavior
like vaginal intercourse, oral sex, anal sex or sometimes intimate skin-to-skin contact.
Is it illegal to tell someone that someone else has an STD?
As a general rule, no,
you do not have an obligation to tell your partner if you
have a sexually transmitted disease. There aren’t any federal or state laws making it illegal for you to not tell a partner about an STD you may have. Laws on the topic vary from state to state.
What STD Cannot cure?
Viruses such as HIV, genital herpes, human papillomavirus, hepatitis, and cytomegalovirus
cause STDs/STIs that cannot be cured. People with an STI caused by a virus will be infected for life and will always be at risk of infecting their sexual partners.
