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ME…NO! I’m not contracting them…. Got STDs?. STD…. Sexually Transmitted Disease. Fact or Myth…. STDs can be cured with medication? = MYTH!. Fact….
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ME…NO!I’m not contracting them… Got STDs?
STD… Sexually Transmitted Disease
Fact or Myth… STDs can be cured with medication? = MYTH!
Fact… Many STDs can be treated effectively with antibiotics or other drugs. But a few, such as Human Papillomavirus [Genital Warts] can stay in the body for life and can cause serious complications.
STDs… • Infections spread by sexual contact [oral sex or intercourse] • Present in blood, open sores, semen, vaginal fluid • STDs thrive for warm & moist areas • Some affect only the sexual and reproductive organs, other can cause more generalized body infections
STDs… • STDs can cause serious illness and complications that may be irreversible, such as infertility and cancer. • Many are treatable and some can be cured/controlled
Spreading STDs… They do not spread like the common cold…you can not catch an STD in the air! There are… Biological Factors Social/Behavioral Factors
Biological Factors… • No signs or symptoms…but your are infected • Unawareness of infection = spreading it to others • Lag time between infection & complications • Years before an infection causes a noticeable health problem • Gender & Age • Higher risk for women [cervical cells]
Social Factors… • Access to health care • Substance abuse • Cultural attitudes toward sexuality • Stigma attached with STDs and the general discomfort with discussing sex
Social Factors Con’t… • Forced sex • Number of sexual partners • Multiple sex partners, your STD risk increases SIGNIFICANTLY! • Your partner had many previous partners…they are infecting you too!
STDs & Women… • Infertility • Ectopic pregnancy • Scaring from infection or inflammation can block the fallopian tubes • Pregnancy complications [miscarriages, etc] • Cervical Cancer [from HPV]
Know the FACTS… • STDs are spread by sexual contact • Anyone who has sexual intercourse risks getting an STD • The more partners a person has, the higher the risk of getting an STD • Many STDs do not cause symptoms or have symptoms that are very mild
Teens & STDs… • Why such an increased risk? • Multiple partners • High rates of STDs • Low rates of condom use • Experimental drug behavior
Signs & Symptoms… • Physical discomfort & pain • Unpleasant and painful treatments • Lesions that may leave permanent scars
HIV… • Human Immunodeficiency Virus… • Attacks the cells of the immune system [the body’s natural defense against getting sick] • When the immune system gets weak a person can no longer fight off infections & illnesses
HIV…Just the Facts • HIV is transmitted from one person to another through contact with certain body fluids [blood, semen & vaginal secretions] • 3 main ways of transmission • Unprotected sex • Sharing needles • From mother to fetus/baby • ~10 years from HIV to AIDS
Keeping Yourself Clear… • Effective skills supporting abstinence… • Communication • Decision making • Goal setting • Handling stress & pressure • Self-monitoring & self-control
Safer Sex Guidelines… • Don’t allow a partner’s body fluids to enter the body • Carry condoms • Avoid having sex while under the influence • Have only 1 sex partner
