America's Least Wanted: Sexually Transmitted Diseases
A MESSAGE
FROM OFFICER CONDOM
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
are running rampant among teenagers today. I know you've
heard a lot about preventing
HIV infection and AIDS but there
are some other bad actors out there. If you know about them and their ways,
you can protect yourself. This pamphlet focuses on six of the roughest, toughest,
most low-down STIs in this day and age—genital HPV infection, trichomoniasis,
syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and herpes.
STIs can be easily avoided if you abstain from sex. Abstinence is the only
100 percent effective, foolproof method of preventing STIs and pregnancy. It's
important that both partners wait until they are physically and mentally ready
to have sex. No one knows when you'll be ready to have sex; perhaps you're
ready when the consequences of the decision to have sex are understood and
accepted. If you don't feel ready, it's no big deal; contrary to popular belief,
everybody isn't doing it. Holding hands, kissing and touching are all ways
that you can show your feelings without having sexual intercourse.
However, if you decide to have sex, please use a latex condom! When used consistently
and correctly, latex condoms can reduce the risk of contracting STIs. Not only
are condoms up to 95 percent effective for preventing pregnancies when used
every time you have sex, but they are also inexpensive, easy to obtain, and
easy to use. All drug stores carry them. Clinics, like Planned Parenthood and
others, have them for free.
It only takes one time to become infected. That's why it's important to get
to know your partner. However, some partners aren't willing to discuss the
possibility of being or becoming infected or they may not know that they are
already infected. Even if you try to check for sores, you may not find any
on an infected person. So in this case, what you don't know can hurt
you. Use a latex condom whenever you CHOOSE to have sex.
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Scary Stats That Will Make Condoms More Appealing!
- In
the U.S., 3 out of every 4 reported cases
of gonorrhea were among younger people
ages 15 to 29 years. The highest rates of infection
are found in 15- to 19-year old females
and
20- to 24-year-old males.
- Chlamydia
is so common that, by age 30, 50 percent
of sexually active females have evidence
that they have had chlamydia.
- Once
cured, STIs can be contracted again.
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No guys, you are not
too big for a condom. There is a brand for every man. There are condoms
so thin you forget you're wearing them. There are several types to
choose from: ribbed, lubricated, non-lubricated, latex, sheer, colorful,
and tasty condoms. There are even glow-in-the-dark condoms.
And condoms are not just the guy's responsibility. Girls who choose to have
sex should insist that their partners use latex condoms and provide them. It's
not a sign that you're easy, it's a sign that you're smart.
So, now what's your excuse? Don't play with your life. FACT: HIV is the deadliest
STI around. QUESTION: Which one would you rather have, a condom or AIDS?
Sincerely,
Officer Condom
GENITAL
HPV INFECTION
DESCRIPTION Genital
HPV infection is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the name
of the group of viruses that includes over 100 different types, over
30 of which
are
sexually transmitted. Certain types of these viruses are "high-risk" and
may cause abnormal Pap smears and cancer of the cervix, anus, and penis. Other
types of these viruses cause genital warts. Visible genital warts look like
a small hard bump or cluster of bumps. They start off as small painless spots
but warmth and moisture can make them grow larger. Some cannot be seen by the
naked eye. The types of HPV that cause external genital warts are not linked
with cancer. Two strains of HPV have been linked to cervical cancer. Generally,
as many as 70 percent of all sexually experienced people may have one of
many genital warts viruses; less than one percent of these infected people
will
develop visible warts.
HANGOUTS Most
people who have a genital HPV infection don't know they are infected. Others
get visible genital warts. Genital warts can be found on the vulva, on
the cervix, in or around the vagina or anus, and on the penis, scrotum,
groin,
or thigh.
TRANSMISSION The
types of HPV that infect the genital area are spread primarily through
sexual contact with someone who is infected.
TREATMENT Most
women are diagnosed with HPV on the basis of abnormal Pap smears. There
is no "cure" for HPV. Diagnosis of genital warts is usually made by
a direct visual exam, however, there is a magnification procedure for locating
warts on the cervix. Genital warts can be treated easily with cryotherapy (dry
ice treatment). Drugs like podophyllin solution and trichloracetic acid (TCA)
can also be used directly on the warts.
PREVENTION HPV
infections can occur in genital areas that are covered or protected by
a latex condom. They can also occur in areas that are not covered or protected.
Latex
condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of HPV
infection only when the infected areas are covered or protected by the
condom.
In addition,
the use of latex condoms has been associated with a reduction in risk of
HPV-associated diseases, including genital warts and cervical cancer.
TRICHOMONIASIS
DESCRIPTION Trichomoniasis
or "trich" is caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis.
Women may have no signs at all, or may have a frothy, creamy, yellowish
or greenish discharge with itching, vaginal odor, abdominal pains and/or
frequent
urination. Some men may have no signs at all while others have itching
and/or lesions.
HANGOUTS The
most common hang out of trichomoniasis in women is in the vagina and in
men is the urethra (the tube that empties urine from your bladder).
TREATMENTS Trichomoniasis
can be cured with a prescription drug called metronidazole. Treatment must
be given to both partners at the same time so that they won't reinfect
each other. Metronidazole can be used by pregnant women.
PREVENTION Latex
condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk
of transmission of trichomoniasis.
SYPHILIS
DESCRIPTION Syphilis
is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. The first
symptom is a painless sore called a chancre. A chancre is like a
pimple, blister
or open
sore that appears 10-90 days (average 21 days) after the bacteria
enter the body. The chancre disappears after three to six weeks.
The infection
progresses
to the second stage if treatment is not administered.
The second stage starts when one or more areas of the skin break
into a rash—which
usually doesn't itch. Be on the lookout for a rash on the entire
body, on the palms of your hands or on the soles of your feet.
In addition
to rashes, be
on the lookout for fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, loss
of hair, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches, and tiredness. At
both
the first
and the second
stages, a person is highly infectious to partners.
The third, latent (hidden) stage of syphilis begins when the secondary
symptoms disappear. Without treatment, the infected person still has syphilis
even
though there are no signs or symptoms. It remains in the body, and it may
begin to
damage the internal organs, including the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood
vessels, liver, bones, and joints. This internal damage may show up many
years later in the late or tertiary stage of syphilis. Late stage signs
and symptoms
include not being able to coordinate muscle movements, paralysis, numbness,
gradual blindness and dementia. This damage may be serious enough to cause
death.
HANGOUTS Syphilis
mainly hangs out around the genital and anus. It occasionally hangs out
in and around the mouth and can be spotted just about everywhere else.
TRANSMISSION Syphilis
is transmitted through direct contact with a syphilis sore. Transmission
occurs during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. The bacteria penetrates mucous
membranes
or broken skin on the genitals, mouth and anus. Pregnant women can pass
syphilis to their fetuses, especially in the early stages of the disease.
However,
if treated before the 16th week of pregnancy, the fetus will probably
not be affected.
Children born with syphilis may have no symptoms or the symptoms may be
severe enough to cause brain damage and death.
TREATMENT Syphilis
can be diagnosed and treated at any time with penicillin by injection or
a substitute antibiotic for those who are allergic to penicillin. It is
recommended
that you not have sexual intercourse until the syphilis sores are completely
healed.
PREVENTION Syphilis
can occur in genital areas that are covered or protected by a latex
condom. Syphilis can also occur in areas that are not covered
or protected. Latex
condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the
risk of infection with
syphilis only when the infected areas are covered or protected
by the condom.
GONORRHEA
DESCRIPTION Gonorrhea
is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Symptoms appear from two days to four weeks after exposure.
They include painful urination,
pus-like discharge, bumps on the cervix, anal irritation and
painful bowel movement. As the disease progresses, pain in
the lower abdomen on both
sides, vomiting, fever and irregular menstrual periods occur.
In women, gonorrhea
can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a secondary
infection that can cause sterility.
HANGOUTS Gonorrhea
hangs out in the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes in women,
and in the urethra in women and men. The bacteria also hang
out in the mouth, throat,
and anus.
TRANSMISSION Gonorrhea
usually attacks though vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse with
an infected person.
TREATMENT Gonorrhea
is treated with ceftriaxone or penicillin. There are a lot
of resistant strains, which make treatment more difficult.
If symptoms remain after
treatment,
then you should go back to your doctor or clinic for a different
antibiotic.
PREVENTION Latex
condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce
the risk of transmission of gonorrhea.
CHLAMYDIA
DESCRIPTION Chlamydia
is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.
Chlamydia is symptomless at first. After the disease progresses
some of the symptoms
include odorless
discharge and burning during urination. Pelvic inflammatory
disease (PID) can also be caused by chlamydia, and in severe
cases can lead to sterility
and
tubal pregnancy.
HANGOUTS Chlamydia
is known as a "silent" disease because three
quarters of infected women and half of infected men have
no symptoms.
The infection
is frequently
not diagnosed or treated until complications develop.
Chlamydia usually hangs out in the cervix and the urethra
in women.
Men may have may
a discharge from
the penis, a burning sensation when urinating, burning
and itching around the penis, and pain and swelling in
the testicles.
Chlamydia
also hangs
out in
the anus and throat.
TRANSMISSION Chlamydia
is transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse.
It can also be transmitted from a mother to her baby during
birth.
TREATMENT Chlamydia
can be treated and cured easily with antibiotics.
PREVENTION Latex
condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce
the risk of transmission of chlamydia.
HERPES
DESCRIPTION Herpes
is caused by the herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1)
and type 2 (HSV-2). Most individuals have no or only
minimal signs
or symptoms from HSV-1 or
HSV-2 infection.
HANGOUTS When
signs do occur, they typically appear as one or more
blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. The
blisters break,
leaving tender ulcers (sores)
that may take two to four weeks to heal the first
time they occur. Typically, another
outbreak can appear weeks or months after the first,
but it almost always is less severe and shorter than
the first
episode.
Although the infection
can
stay in the body indefinitely, the number of outbreaks
tends to go down over a period of years.
TRANSMISSION HSV-1
and HSV-2 can be found and released from the sores
that the viruses cause, but they also are released
between
episodes
from skin
that does not appear
to be broken or to have a sore. A person almost always
gets HSV-2 infection during sexual contact with
someone who has
a genital
HSV-2 infection.
HSV-1 causes infections of the mouth and lips, so-called "fever blisters." A
person can get HSV-1 by coming into contact with
the saliva of an infected person. HSV-1 infection
of the
genitals almost
always
is
caused by
oral-genital sexual contact with a person who has
the oral HSV-1 infection.
TREATMENT There
is no treatment that can cure herpes, but antiviral
medications can shorten and prevent outbreaks during
the period of
time the person takes the medication.
PREVENTION The
consistent and correct use of latex condoms can help
protect against infection with herpes. However,
condoms do not
provide complete protection because
the condom may not cover the herpes sore(s), and
viral shedding may nevertheless occur. If either
you or
your partner have
genital herpes, it is best to
abstain from sex when symptoms or signs are present,
and to use latex condoms between
outbreaks.
For more information
on STIs contact:
- Your
doctor or school nurse
- Your
local STI clinic
- The
National STD Hotline 1 (800) CDC-INFO
TTY for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing 1-888-232-6348
- http://www.iwannaknow.org—an
educational resource that answers your questions about
teen sexual health by providing information about STIs
and prevention information.
Last Updated: July
2001
Adapted from America's Least Wanted: Sexually Transmitted Diseases © 1992,
Advocates for Youth. America's Least Wanted was made possible in part
by grants from the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, National Capital
Area Chapter and the Glen Eagles Foundation and was written by teen members
of Advocates for Youth's Teen Council.
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