How common are STD’S?  Since the 1960’s the United States has come under an STD outbreak. Today, over 70 million Americans currently have an STD. It is estimated that 19 million new cases occur each year. About half of these infections are found in people 25 years old and younger, in fact 1/4 sexually active teenagers are infected with a non-curable STD. If you've had sex, you could have an STD.  Some STD’s cause symptoms. Others don’t.  80% of people have an STD and do not know it. Some STD’s make you impact you immediately while others can cause problems later in life.  These include serious problems like cancer or infertility.  Some can even kill you.

What causes STD’s? There are two major groups of STD, Bacterial and Viral. Bacterial infections such as Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis are curable. Viral infections such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, herpes and HPV (Human Papillomavirus) are non-curable. These infections are transmitted through sexual behaviors such as sexual intercourse, oral sex, anal sex, outer course, mutual masturbation. Some STD’s are transmitted through the exchange of fluids (mucous, sperm) others are simply transmitted through skin to skin contact.

How do you get them?   You put yourself at risk of being infected with an STD when you become sexually active. You get an STD by exposing yourself to an infected partner. The danger is that 80% of people infected with an STD do not know they are. 80% if STD cases show no symptoms.

Every year in the USA 9 million people under the age of 25 become infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD). One of these infections is Chlamydia. 

What is Chlamydia and how do you get it?
Chlamydia is the most common bacterial STD. You get it from having sex with an infection person.  Most people infected with Chlamydia have no symptoms. But, even without symptoms, they can pass on Chlamydia. 

Am I safe if I only have oral or anal sex?
Chlamydia can also be passed during oral and anal sex.

What happens if I'm infected?
Most people infected with Chlamydia have no symptoms at all.  However, some symptoms of Chlamydia are pain when going to the bathroom or a "discharge" coming from your penis or vagina. Women may have abdominal pain.  This could be from pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), caused by Chlamydia. PID can interfere with your ability to become pregnant. Chlamydia also increases your chance of getting HIV.

How do you treat Chlamydia?
The good news is, Chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics, however most cases go undiagnosed.  Delayed treatment can result in serious problems.  Both you and your partner need treatment if one is infected.

Am I safe if I always use a condom?
If you use a condom 100% of the time, 100% accurately, a condom can reduce your chance of getting Chlamydia by about half. There is no evidence at this time that condoms reduce the risk through oral or anal sex.

What can I do to avoid getting infected?
The only sure way to not worry about being infected with Chlamydia is to avoid sexual activity if you are single.  Be faithful to one uninfected partner for the rest of your life. If you’ve already been sexually active see a doctor and get tested.

What is Trichomoniasis and how do you get it?
Trichomoniasis is a very common STD. This is not a bacteria or a virus but is caused by a parasite. You get it from having sex with an infected person. Most infected people have no obvious symptoms. But, even without symptoms, they can pass on the infection. Babies can get it during childbirth if their mothers are infected.

What happens if I'm infected?
If you are like most people, you will have no symptoms at all. On the other hand, you could have symptoms such as itching or a discharge from the penis or vagina. Other symptoms include a burning sensation while urinating and pain during sex. If you are pregnant, you could have a premature baby. Trichomoniasis also increases your chance of getting HIV.

How do you treat Trichomoniasis?
Trichomoniasis can be cured with oral medication. Both you and your partner need treatment if one is infected.

Am I safe if I always use a condom?
If you always use condoms for vaginal sex, you may reduce your chance of getting Trichomoniasis. However, how much your chance is reduced is not known.

What can I do to avoid being infected with Trichomoniasis?
The only 100% effective way to protect yourself from any STD is to avoid sexual activity if you are single and to be faithful to one uninfected partner for the rest of your life (in marriage). If you have already had sex you should go get tested.

What is HPV and how do you get it?
Like any other STD, you get HPV from having sex (oral, anal or vaginal) with an infected person. However, unlike other STD’s, you can also get it from just "fooling around”, HPV is transmitted through skin to skin contact. Most infected people have no symptoms. But, even without symptoms, they can pass on HPV.

Am I safe if I only have oral or anal sex?
HPV can also be passed during oral or anal sex. As well as any form of genital skin to skin contact.

What happens if I'm infected?
If you are like most people, you will have no symptoms at all. Some people with HPV have warts. These are usually in the genital area and cannot be seen. People with HPV can get cervical, penile or anal cancer.   Babies can get HPV infection from their mothers during childbirth. They can even get warts in their throats.

How do you treat HPV?
Most people with HPV infection clear it on their own. However, some people will go on to develop warts or cancer. Warts can be treated. However, they may return. For females, a Pap smear can detect changes caused by HPV before they turn into cancer. Abnormal Pap smears and cervical cancer can be treated. The earlier you are treated, the more likely you are to be cured. All sexually active females should talk to a doctor about when to start having regular Pap smears.

Am I safe if I always use a condom?
To date it is uncertain as to how much a condom will help lower your risk for becoming infected with HPV. 

Is there anything else I can do to reduce my chance of getting infected?
There is a HPV vaccine available, and it is recommended for young women yet to have been sexually active. However, vaccination does not protect against all types of HPV that cause cancer and warts, and how long it protects is unknown.

What can I do to avoid getting infected?
Just like any STD, the only sure way to protect yourself is to avoid any form of sexual behavior until you are married, and then to remain faithful once married. If you have already been sexually active it is highly advised that you go get tested.