Maybe you’ve only had sex once or twice, it is still risky-did you get a health history on that person? Or perhaps, you have been faithful in your relationship. Ask yourself this, has your partner been equally as faithful? The earlier you begin having sex you are greatly increasing your risk of exposure to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). To help determine if you may possibly have contracted an STD visit: www.STDWizard.com. A moment of pleasure can affect the rest of your life. Every year, 1 in 4 young people under 25 gets an STD. There are at least 25 different STDs.
Did you know:
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are pathogenic organisms that can be present in the human body without causing disease. It is when the STI progresses without treatment that it can begin causing damage to the body, when this occurs; the STI has developed and is considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Many STDs are asymptomatic, which means they cause NO signs or symptoms of the infection.1 STDs are sexist; they are much more harmful to the female reproductive system. STDs can also be transmitted to an unborn child during childbirth.
Breakdown of Most Common Sexually Transmitted Diseases:
| Bacterial infections* – curable with medication* |
| Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis |
| Protozoal infections* – curable with medication* |
| Trichomoniasis |
| Viral infections – treatments for symptoms, no cure |
| HPV, Herpes, HIV |
*The infection is treatable with medication, however, any harm done to the body prior to detection of the infection, may have caused irreversible damage.
How to know if you are infected:
If you have been sexually active (vaginal intercourse, oral or anal sex, mutual masturbation) there is a possibility of being infected with an STD and you may not be aware of it. In order to have an official diagnosis, you must be tested by a physician. You can gain an idea of what you may have been exposed to by answering a series of questions at www.STDWizard.com. This survey will give you the option to print out your results to give to your physician as a good reference of your sexual history. You can also call the Centers for Disease Control to find a clinic near you or AAA Life Services.
CDC-INFO is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for STD information and referrals to STD clinics.
CDC-INFO Contact Center
1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)
TTY: 1-888-232-6348
References
1 Medical Institute for Sexual Health; http://www.medinstitute.org/public/132.cfm 2008
