STD Information

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that can be transferred from one person to another through sexual contact. According to the Centers for Disease Control there are over 15 million cases of sexually transmitted disease cases reported annually. Adolescents and young adults (15-24) are the age groups at the greatest risk for acquiring an STD, 3 million becoming infected each year.

Most STDs are treatable. However, even the once easily cured gonorrhea has become resistant to many of the older traditional antibiotics. Other STDs, such as herpes, AIDS, and genital warts, all of which are caused by viruses, have no cure. Some of these infections are very uncomfortable, while others can be deadly. Many STDs can lead to related conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease, cervical cancer, and complications in pregnancy. Therefore, education about these diseases and prevention is important. For more information check out medinstitute.org.

It is important to recognize that sexual contact includes more than just intercourse. Sexual contact includes kissing and oral-genital contact. There really is no such thing as "safe" sex. The only truly safe sex is abstinence. Sex in the context of a monogamous relationship (i.e. marriage) where neither party is infected with a STD is also considered "safe".
Most people think that kissing is a safe activity. Unfortunately, syphilis, herpes, and other diseases can be contracted this way. All other forms of sexual contact also carry some risk. Condoms are commonly thought to protect against STDs. Condoms are useful in reducing your risk of infection of certain diseases, such as HIV and gonorrhea. However, they are less effective protecting against herpes, trichomoniasis, and chlamydia. Condoms provide little protection against HPV, the cause of genital warts. A condom is not 100% effective against any STD.