Sexually Transmitted Diseases
HPV - Human Papilloma Virus
This is a group of more than 100 different viruses. Most infections clear themselves. However, some HPV viruses are "high-risk" types, which may lead to cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus or penis. About 20 million people are currently infected with HPV with 5.5 million new infections each year. At least 50 percent of sexually active men and women will have genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. HPV spreads primarily through genital contact. Most HPV infections have no symptoms so most people are unaware they are infected. Some people get visible warts on the genitals that can spread to the mouth by oral sex. There may also be changes in cells of the cervix, vulva, anus or penis that could lead to cancer. About 10 of the genital HPV types can lead to the development of cervical cancer. In the U.S., about 12,000 women develop invasive cervical cancer and about 4,000 women die from this disease each year.
Syphilis
In the U.S., over 32,000 cases of syphilis were reported in 2002. Syphilis is passed by direct contact with sores that occur mainly on the genitals, vagina, anus, in the rectum or on the lips or in the mouth. Syphilis can spread during vaginal, anal or oral sex. Many people infected with syphilis do not have symptoms for years, but are at risk for later complications if they are not treated.
During the primary stage of syphilis one or more sores appear. During the second stage, skin rash and mucous membrane lesions (wounds) occur. In the late stages, it may damage internal organs, including the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones and joints. Syphilis can be cured in the early stage (infected less than a year) by a single injection of penicillin, but this cannot undo damage done before treatment.
Gonorrhea
About 600,000 people in the U.S. are infected each year. Gonorrhea is spread through contact between penis, vagina, mouth (oral sex) and anus. In the U. S., the highest rates are among sexually active teenagers, young adults and African Americans. Symptoms in men include a burning sensation when urinating or a white, yellow or green discharge from the penis. In women, the symptoms are often mild or absent.
Untreated gonorrhea can cause permanent health problems. In women, it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) with very severe abdominal pain, fever and long-lasting, chronic pelvic pain. PID can cause infertility or ectopic (tubal) pregnancy. In men, gonorrhea can cause a painful condition of the testicles that can lead to infertility if left untreated. Several antibiotics can cure gonorrhea, although drug resistant strains are developing world-wide.
HIV/AIDS
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. This virus may be passed from one person to another through sexual and blood-to-blood contact. The estimated number of AIDS cases through 2002 in the U.S. is 886,575 with 501,669 deaths.
The most common ways that HIV is transmitted from one person to another is by having anal or vaginal sex with an HIV-infected person. However, in can also be spread through oral sex. AIDS(Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is a disease caused by the HIV virus that weakens the immune system. It is a routinely fatal disease.
Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex viruses type 1 and 2. Type 1 is often associated with oral herpes infections, type two with genital herpes. However, the strains are now intermixed. Oral sex is an important risk factor for Type 1 infections. Most people have few symptoms. Others have one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. At least 45 million people ages 12 and older have had genital herpes infection (1 in 5 adolescents and adults). Most people infected with Type 2 are not aware of their infection. If symptoms do occur during the first outbreak, they can be quite pronounced. In many adults genital herpes can cause painful genital sores that reoccur. Worldwide, herpes may play a role in the spread of HIV.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia can be spread during vaginal, anal or oral sex and can affect men and women. It can also be passed from an infected mother to her newborn during vaginal childbirth.
More than 650,000 cases were reported in 1999, with most of the people infected under the age of 25. Many people have no symptoms. Some women might have an abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning when urinating. When the infection spreads, some women may have lower abdominal or back pain, nausea or fever.
Chlamydia can be treated and cured with antibiotics. If not treated, the infection can cause an infection called pelvic inflammatory disease(PID) 40% of the time. PID can cause permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, uterus and tissues surrounding the ovaries. Chlamydia may also increase the risk of acquiring HIV infection (HIV caused AIDS) from an infected partner.
This is a group of more than 100 different viruses. Most infections clear themselves. However, some HPV viruses are "high-risk" types, which may lead to cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus or penis. About 20 million people are currently infected with HPV with 5.5 million new infections each year. At least 50 percent of sexually active men and women will have genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. HPV spreads primarily through genital contact. Most HPV infections have no symptoms so most people are unaware they are infected. Some people get visible warts on the genitals that can spread to the mouth by oral sex. There may also be changes in cells of the cervix, vulva, anus or penis that could lead to cancer. About 10 of the genital HPV types can lead to the development of cervical cancer. In the U.S., about 12,000 women develop invasive cervical cancer and about 4,000 women die from this disease each year.
Syphilis
In the U.S., over 32,000 cases of syphilis were reported in 2002. Syphilis is passed by direct contact with sores that occur mainly on the genitals, vagina, anus, in the rectum or on the lips or in the mouth. Syphilis can spread during vaginal, anal or oral sex. Many people infected with syphilis do not have symptoms for years, but are at risk for later complications if they are not treated.
During the primary stage of syphilis one or more sores appear. During the second stage, skin rash and mucous membrane lesions (wounds) occur. In the late stages, it may damage internal organs, including the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones and joints. Syphilis can be cured in the early stage (infected less than a year) by a single injection of penicillin, but this cannot undo damage done before treatment.
Gonorrhea
About 600,000 people in the U.S. are infected each year. Gonorrhea is spread through contact between penis, vagina, mouth (oral sex) and anus. In the U. S., the highest rates are among sexually active teenagers, young adults and African Americans. Symptoms in men include a burning sensation when urinating or a white, yellow or green discharge from the penis. In women, the symptoms are often mild or absent.
Untreated gonorrhea can cause permanent health problems. In women, it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) with very severe abdominal pain, fever and long-lasting, chronic pelvic pain. PID can cause infertility or ectopic (tubal) pregnancy. In men, gonorrhea can cause a painful condition of the testicles that can lead to infertility if left untreated. Several antibiotics can cure gonorrhea, although drug resistant strains are developing world-wide.
HIV/AIDS
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. This virus may be passed from one person to another through sexual and blood-to-blood contact. The estimated number of AIDS cases through 2002 in the U.S. is 886,575 with 501,669 deaths.
The most common ways that HIV is transmitted from one person to another is by having anal or vaginal sex with an HIV-infected person. However, in can also be spread through oral sex. AIDS(Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is a disease caused by the HIV virus that weakens the immune system. It is a routinely fatal disease.
Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex viruses type 1 and 2. Type 1 is often associated with oral herpes infections, type two with genital herpes. However, the strains are now intermixed. Oral sex is an important risk factor for Type 1 infections. Most people have few symptoms. Others have one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. At least 45 million people ages 12 and older have had genital herpes infection (1 in 5 adolescents and adults). Most people infected with Type 2 are not aware of their infection. If symptoms do occur during the first outbreak, they can be quite pronounced. In many adults genital herpes can cause painful genital sores that reoccur. Worldwide, herpes may play a role in the spread of HIV.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia can be spread during vaginal, anal or oral sex and can affect men and women. It can also be passed from an infected mother to her newborn during vaginal childbirth.
More than 650,000 cases were reported in 1999, with most of the people infected under the age of 25. Many people have no symptoms. Some women might have an abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning when urinating. When the infection spreads, some women may have lower abdominal or back pain, nausea or fever.
Chlamydia can be treated and cured with antibiotics. If not treated, the infection can cause an infection called pelvic inflammatory disease(PID) 40% of the time. PID can cause permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, uterus and tissues surrounding the ovaries. Chlamydia may also increase the risk of acquiring HIV infection (HIV caused AIDS) from an infected partner.
