STDs

I chose do my biology report on Sexually Transmitted Diseases because STDs are becoming a concern for Americans and especially American teens. There are two kinds of STDs, viral and bacterial. Viral Studs are incurable; the most common viral Studs are HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, herpes, and HPV. Bacterial STDs are curable. The most common bacterial STDs are gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis.

STDs, are also known as venereal diseases, is a term that refers to more than 50 diseases and syndromes which have been transmitted through the exchange of body fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid, and blood. All though you can contract some STDs, such as herpes and/or HPV, by kissing, caressing, and/or direct contact with infected areas. STDs can be serious and painful, and can have long term health consequences including sterility, chronic infection, ectopic pregnancy, cancer, and even death. STDs affect men and women of all backgrounds and economic levels. One in four Americans between the ages of 15 to 55 will contract at least one STD before they die. Nearly 65% of all STDs occur in people under the age of 25. The most common STDs on college campuses are chlamydia, herpes, and genital warts. Some STDs cause no symptoms. It is estimated that 10 to 20% of males and 75% of females who are infected with chlamydia don't experience any syptoms. There are several common signs that may indicate that you have a STD. For women there can be an unusual discharge or odor from the vagina, pain in the pelvic area, burning or itching around the vagina, unusual bleeding, and/or vaginal pain during intercourse. For men it can be a discharge from the penis. For both men and women there can be sore, bumps blisters near the mouth or genitals, burning and pain during urination or a bowel movement, flu-like feelings, including fever, chills, aches, swelling in t he groin area, and/or persistent swelling or redness in the throat. If you have any of these symptoms or even suspect that you've been exposed to any STDs then you should see your local health care provider. Bacterial STDs, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis are relatively easy to cure with antibiotics if diagnosed early. Viral STDs such as herpes, HPV, and HIV/AIDS cannot ever be cured though the symptoms can be relieved. But no STDs should be dismissed as harmless. Even a curable STD, if left untreated, will have serious co...

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...er sexual behaviors, and enjoy sexual activities without actually have sexually intercourse. Abstinence is when you voluntarily refrain from engaging in sexual activity. For some people this may mean not having sexual intercourse but for others it may mean not having genital contact. You can also practice safer sex. You can do this by always using a latex condom and spermicide for anal and vaginal intercourse; always use a latex barrier (condom or dental dam) for oral-genital sex; limit your number of sexual partners; avoid sexual contact until you and your partner(s) have been tested for pre-existing STDs; do not rely upon your partner to know the sexual history of all his or her partners or to tell the truth about their sexual history; before you have sex, look closely for any signs of an STD; if you or a partner was ever infected with a viral STD avoid unprotected sex; if you are infected with an STD,, notify your partners; if you have an STD, refrain from sexual activity until you and your partner(s) have completed the entire treatment; and/or get checked for STDs every time you have an annual health maintenance exam. Some alternatives to having sex are on the attached sheets.