STD facts and information

STD?  STI?  or VD?

They are all different terms for the same thing.
STD-Sexually Transmitted Disease
STI-Sexually Transmitted Infections
VD-Venereal Disease

Sexually transmitted infections may or may not cause symptoms.  In medical terms, an infection is called a disease only when it is causing symptoms.  However, it is very common for people to use the terms “sexually transmitted diseases” or “STDs” whether or not symptoms are present.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that you can get from having sex with someone who has the infection. The causes of STDs are bacteria, parasites and viruses. There are more than 20 types of STDs, including:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Herpes Simplex
• HIV/AIDS
• HPV
• Syphilis
• Trichomoniasis

Most STDs affect both men and women, but in many cases the health problems they cause can be more severe for women. If a pregnant woman has an STD, it can cause serious health problems for the baby.

If you have an STD caused by bacteria or parasites, your health care provider can treat it with antibiotics or other medicines. If you have an STD caused by a virus, there is no cure. Sometimes medicines can keep the disease under control. Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not completely eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading STDs.

Sources:Centers for Disease Control 2009
National Coalition of STD Directors

Website link:http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/std/std.asp#1i

STDs are:  Serious – Sometimes painful – Can cause a lot of damage!

• Some STDs infect only your sexual and reproductive organs.
• Other STDs can cause general body infections.
• Most STDs can be cured IF YOU GET TREATED.
• A few STDs CANNOT be cured.
• STDs are spread by during close sexual activity including vaginal, anal and oral sex.
• Some STDs are also spread by contact with infected blood.
• Most STD germs need to live in warm, moist areas.  That is why they infect the mouth, rectum and sex organs.

#1 Leading STD in Douglas County
Chlamydia

#2 Leading STD in Douglas County
Gonorrhea

Source:  Douglas County Health Department

What Are Some Health Risks of STD Infection?
STDs can result in irreparable lifetime damage, including blindness, bone deformities, mental retardation, and death for infants infected by their mothers during gestation or birth.

In women, STDs can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, potentially fatal ectopic pregnancies, and cancer of the reproductive tract.