2008 Woodie Awards
Lights out with Liz
Sexually transmitted diseases Part 1
Liz Lumiére
Issue date: 3/9/07 Section: A&E
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While high school sex-ed might have scarred you for life, if you are sexually active this article will provide a good refresher course on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
STDs are among the most common contagious diseases and anyone can get an STD by vaginal, anal or oral sex. The germs that cause STDs are found in semen, blood, vaginal secretions and sometimes saliva.
You are at a higher risk if you have more than one sex partner, you have sex with someone who has multiple partners, or you do not use a condom ("unprotected sex" includes oral sex without a condom).
Even if you only have one partner, be sure to consider who else your partner has slept with. If your partner is worth anything, they will not object if you suggest that they recieve tests. Remember that condoms can decrease the risk of getting or transmitting an STD, but they are not guaranteed protection.
Often, STDs have no symptoms, especially in women. Having an STD weakens the immune system and leaves you more vulnerable to other infections. Not treating an STD can lead to organ damage. So here is a rundown on the most common infections:
Chlamydia
75% of infections in women occur without symptoms and 50% of infections in men occur without symptoms, which leads to Chlamydia being easily spread. If you do have symptoms, they usually occur within 1-3 weeks of contact and may include abnormal discharge, pain when having sex, itching or burning.
Your doctor will swab your urethra (men) or your cervix (women) to test, and if you are positive, will prescribe oral antibiotics. Chlamydia is easily treated within a week or two once diagnosed.
Genital Herpes
Herpes is a viral infection that can be caused by two different viruses that begins with a very noticeable, often painful outbreak of sores. However, other symptoms may include fever, headache and muscle aches. As with most STDs, there are often no symptoms at all. There is no cure, but there are antiviral medications that can suppress or lessen outbreaks. One head's up: condom use can decrease, but not eliminate, the risk of getting herpes.
STDs are among the most common contagious diseases and anyone can get an STD by vaginal, anal or oral sex. The germs that cause STDs are found in semen, blood, vaginal secretions and sometimes saliva.
You are at a higher risk if you have more than one sex partner, you have sex with someone who has multiple partners, or you do not use a condom ("unprotected sex" includes oral sex without a condom).
Even if you only have one partner, be sure to consider who else your partner has slept with. If your partner is worth anything, they will not object if you suggest that they recieve tests. Remember that condoms can decrease the risk of getting or transmitting an STD, but they are not guaranteed protection.
Often, STDs have no symptoms, especially in women. Having an STD weakens the immune system and leaves you more vulnerable to other infections. Not treating an STD can lead to organ damage. So here is a rundown on the most common infections:
Chlamydia
75% of infections in women occur without symptoms and 50% of infections in men occur without symptoms, which leads to Chlamydia being easily spread. If you do have symptoms, they usually occur within 1-3 weeks of contact and may include abnormal discharge, pain when having sex, itching or burning.
Your doctor will swab your urethra (men) or your cervix (women) to test, and if you are positive, will prescribe oral antibiotics. Chlamydia is easily treated within a week or two once diagnosed.
Genital Herpes
Herpes is a viral infection that can be caused by two different viruses that begins with a very noticeable, often painful outbreak of sores. However, other symptoms may include fever, headache and muscle aches. As with most STDs, there are often no symptoms at all. There is no cure, but there are antiviral medications that can suppress or lessen outbreaks. One head's up: condom use can decrease, but not eliminate, the risk of getting herpes.
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