STD's And STI's
How to be safe
STD's and STI's
The most common STD's and STI's are HIV/AIDS, Chlamydia, gonorrhea, Syphilis, Herpes, and Human Papillomavirus.
HIV/AIDS
HIV is passes by bodily fluids, you cannot get HIV from kissing or Saliva. Symptoms are vague, it can feel like the flu with muscle aches, fatigue, slight fever, weight loss, and diarrhea. HIV can and will destroy your immune system it may take years but soon your body wont be able to fight infections germs and sickness. Medication can be used to slow HIV but it is non curable.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is spread mostly by vaginal and anal sex. Symptoms are discharge from the vagina or penis, or burning when you pee. Only 25% of women and 50% of men get symptoms. Chlamydia is treated by antibiotics since it is a bacterial infection.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is another common bacterial infection. People often get this infection with Chlamydia with the same symptoms, discharge and pain when urinating. Most men get symptoms but only 20% of women do. This is also easily treated with antibiotics.
Syphilis
Syphilis has four stages, The Main symptom is a sore, secondary stage starts with a rash on your body followed by sores in your mouth vagina and anus. In the final stage most symptoms disappear this stage is often called the latent stage only 15% of people with syphilis will develop the final stage, this stage can cause nerve and organ damage it can also cause problems in your brain. Antibiotics can treat syphilis.
Herpes
The main symptom of herpes is painful blisters around the vagina penis or anus, you may get blisters inside your vagina or anus that are unseen and do not cause pain. Not everyone who has herpes will get blisters. You can get herpes from simply skin to skin contact even areas a condom doesn't cover. Herpes is a virus. You cannot cure it but you can treat it with medication.
Human PapillomaVirus (HPV)
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection, you can get HPV from having vaginal, anal, or oral sex who has the virus. HPV can be passed even of the infected person has no symptoms. HPV usually goes away on its own. Some types of HPV can cause genital warts and cancer, when it does not go away. You can get a vaccine against HPV this is the best way other than abstinence to not get infected. Also using Latex condoms can lower your chances, but uncovered part of the body can transfer the infection.
I don't want to go to the doctor for my STD, what could happen?
With many STD's and STI's cancer is a possibility if it is not treated, Infertility (being unable to have children) can also happen if your STD or STI is not treated, Pain, Worsening infection, Brain damage, Heart disease, Birth defects, and even death. Get Tested and get treated!
I Think I Have an STI/STD What do I do?
First off See your doctor or health care provider. Get tested! You have to be sure if you have one or not get tested just to be safe. Tell all Sexual partners, they will want to be tested too. Take all your medication your health care provider gives you, even if you think the infection is gone.
How can I get an STD/STI?
Any and all Sexual events including vaginal, anal, and oral. ( not including digital sex " fingering"). Injecting drugs or having sex with a partner who does drugs. Not Avoiding Alcohol and drugs, they can cause you to take more risks then you normally would. not getting HPV and hepatitis vaccines. You should not do any of these things, Be safe and get your vaccines.
Reducing your risks
Have safe sex, use condoms, oral dams, or female condoms. Use water based lubricants with condoms, lessening the chances of them breaking. Choose partners that have had none/very little sexual partners.DO NOT have sex with anyone showing signs of having an STD/STI, Sores, rashes, or discharge. Have you and your partner get tested before having sexual relations.