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What
are Sexually Transmitted Diseases?
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED
DISEASE
Sexually
Transmitted Diseases (STD) are a serious, sometimes painful, and can
cause a lot of damage. Some STDs infect your sexual and reproductive
organs. Others (HIV; hepatitis B, syphilis) cause general body
infections and death.
Sometimes you can have an STD with no signs or symptoms. Other times,
the symptoms go away on their own. Either way, you still have the STD
until you get treated. A few STDs cannot be cured, but most STD can
be cured if you get treated.
How
Is STD Spread?
STD Is SPREAD
during close contact during vaginal, anal and oral sex. Some STDs
(HIV and hepatitis B) are also spread by contact with infected blood.
Most STD germs need to live in warm, moist areas. That's why they
infect the mouth, rectum and sex organs (vagina, vulva, penis and
testes).
HIV is a retrovirus that can be passed from person to person if
HIV in blood, semen, vaginal secretions, or breastmilk enters the
bloodstream. HIV is contagious, meaning it can be passed from one
person to another person, under very specific circumstances.
What to
Do
IF YOU THINK you might
have an STD, get checked out. Don't just hope the STD will go away. It
won't! Most county health departments have special STD clinics.
Private doctors also treat STD.
If you don't know where to get help, call Open Door Clinic or your
local family planning clinic for information. Your case will be kept
private. You may feel embarrassed about having an STD.
You must get treatment for the STD, even if it is a hard thing for you
to do. This is the only way you will get well. Most STDs can be
treated with antibiotics. Do exactly what your doctor tells you. Be
sure to use all of your medicine. You also must tell your sexual
partner(s). If they aren't treated, they can spread the STD. They
might even give it to you again!
What to Watch For
Women:
An unusual discharge or
smell from your vagina.
Pain in your pelvic area-the area between your belly button and sex
organs.
Burning or itching around your vagina.
Bleeding from your vagina that is not your regular period.
Pain deep inside your vagina when you have sex.
Men:
A drip or
discharge from your penis.
Women and Men:
Sores, bumps or blisters near your
sex organs, rectum or mouth.
Burning and pain when you urinate (pee) or have a bowel movement.
Need to urinate (pee) often.
Itching around your sex organs.
A swelling or redness in your throat.
Flu-like feelings, with fever, chills and aches.
Swelling in your groin the area around your sex organs.
If you have any of these
symptoms, go to your health care provider,
Open Door Clinic provides
testing and treatment for most STDs at its clinics.
Thursday in Aurora at 157 S. Lincoln, Suite K, hours by appointment
Tuesday in Elgin at 164 Division, Suite 607, hours by appointment
Remember, You Can
Protect Yourself
by using the following methods:
- Not having sex is
the best way to protect yourself from contracting a STD.
- Having sex with only
one uninfected partner who only has sex with you is also safe.
- Talk to your partner
about past sex partners and about needle drug use. Don't have sex
with someone who you think may have an STD
- Before you have sex,
look closely at your partner for any signs of STD-a rash, a sore,
redness or discharge. If you see anything you are worried about
don't have sex!
- Use a latex condom
(rubber) for vaginal, anal and oral sex. Condoms will help protect
you from STD much of the time. Both men and women should carry
condoms.
- In addition to
condoms, use birth control foam, cream or jelly. These kill many STD
germs.
- Get checked for STD
every time you have a health exam. If you have more than one sex
partner, get an STD check any time you think you might be at risk,
even if you don't have symptoms.
- Know the signs and
symptoms of STD. If you notice a symptom that worries you, get
checked out!
- If you have an STD,
your partner(s) must get treated when you do.
- If you have an STD,
don't have sex until your treatment is complete.
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