2. What is the health issue?What is the health issue?
• STDs can cause cancer, pelvic inflammatorySTDs can cause cancer, pelvic inflammatory
disease, infertility, pregnancy problems,disease, infertility, pregnancy problems,
widespread infection to other parts of the body,widespread infection to other parts of the body,
organ damage, and even death.organ damage, and even death.
• Having STDS also can put you at greater risk ofHaving STDS also can put you at greater risk of
getting HIV.getting HIV.
• Also, infection with some STDs makes it easierAlso, infection with some STDs makes it easier
for you to get HIV if you are exposedfor you to get HIV if you are exposed..
3. WHAT ARE SOME SIGN OF STDsWHAT ARE SOME SIGN OF STDs
• Some of the most common symptoms of STDsSome of the most common symptoms of STDs
are redness, sores, warts, and itching of yourare redness, sores, warts, and itching of your
genitals, you may also experience a dischargegenitals, you may also experience a discharge
from your penis or vagina that is not normal.from your penis or vagina that is not normal.
Your symptoms you will have will depend on theYour symptoms you will have will depend on the
STD that you have contracted, some STDs haveSTD that you have contracted, some STDs have
no symptoms while other have many symptoms.no symptoms while other have many symptoms.
4. WHAT ARE SOME TREATMENT FORWHAT ARE SOME TREATMENT FOR
THIS HEALTH ISSUE?THIS HEALTH ISSUE?
• HIV/AIDS: Since AIDS is not curable Antiretroviral drugsHIV/AIDS: Since AIDS is not curable Antiretroviral drugs
are the standard therapy for HIV infectionare the standard therapy for HIV infection
• Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: These STDs are treated withChlamydia and Gonorrhea: These STDs are treated with
antibiotics.antibiotics.
• Syphilis: Penicillin is the preferred treatment for syphilis.Syphilis: Penicillin is the preferred treatment for syphilis.
• Genital Herpes: Antiviral medication (such as Zovirax,Genital Herpes: Antiviral medication (such as Zovirax,
Famvir, and Valtrex) can help reduce the length andFamvir, and Valtrex) can help reduce the length and
severity of both the initial and subsequent herpesseverity of both the initial and subsequent herpes
outbreaks.outbreaks.
• Genital Warts: There is no standard of treatment forGenital Warts: There is no standard of treatment for
genital warts. Most genital warts will disappear withoutgenital warts. Most genital warts will disappear without
treatment, so your doctor may choose to do nothing.treatment, so your doctor may choose to do nothing.
5. What can You do to Prevent STDsWhat can You do to Prevent STDs
• Don’t have sex.Don’t have sex.
• Use condoms correctly and every time you have sex.Use condoms correctly and every time you have sex.
• Talk with your sex partner's about STDs and usingTalk with your sex partner's about STDs and using
condoms before having sex.condoms before having sex.
• Have a yearly pelvic examHave a yearly pelvic exam
• Avoid using drugs or drinking too much alcoholAvoid using drugs or drinking too much alcohol
• Know that some methods of birth control, like birthKnow that some methods of birth control, like birth
control pills, shots, implants, or diaphragms, will notcontrol pills, shots, implants, or diaphragms, will not
protect you from STD/STI.protect you from STD/STI.
6. Fun FactFun Fact
• In the United States about 19 million newIn the United States about 19 million new
infections are thought to occur each year. Theseinfections are thought to occur each year. These
infections affect men and women of allinfections affect men and women of all
backgrounds and economic levels. But almostbackgrounds and economic levels. But almost
half of new infections are among young peoplehalf of new infections are among young people
ages 15 to 24. Women are also severelyages 15 to 24. Women are also severely
affected by STI/STD. They have more frequentaffected by STI/STD. They have more frequent
and more serious health problems from STI/STDand more serious health problems from STI/STD
than men. African-American women havethan men. African-American women have
especially high rates of infection.especially high rates of infection.
7. Fun FactFun Fact
• In the United States about 19 million newIn the United States about 19 million new
infections are thought to occur each year. Theseinfections are thought to occur each year. These
infections affect men and women of allinfections affect men and women of all
backgrounds and economic levels. But almostbackgrounds and economic levels. But almost
half of new infections are among young peoplehalf of new infections are among young people
ages 15 to 24. Women are also severelyages 15 to 24. Women are also severely
affected by STI/STD. They have more frequentaffected by STI/STD. They have more frequent
and more serious health problems from STI/STDand more serious health problems from STI/STD
than men. African-American women havethan men. African-American women have
especially high rates of infection.especially high rates of infection.
