U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Office of Public Health and Science - Office of Population Affairs teen talk Commonly Asked Questions About Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Teen Talk #2 The Basics What is an STD? STD stands for "sexually transmitted disease." STDs are infections that are passed from person to person during sexual activity (vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse). Some STDs are curable, while others are not. It is estimated that more than 19 million new cases of STDs occur in the U.S. every year. Millions of these new cases occur among teenagers. Who can get an STD? Anyone who engages in intimate sexual contact can get an STD. How do I know if I have an STD? Since many STDs do not have any obvious symptoms, the only sure way to know is by having a medical exam and lab tests. Do latex condoms protect me from getting an STD? Latex condoms significantly reduce your risk of getting most STDs, including HIV (the virus that causes AIDS), if you use them every time and use them correctly every time. But latex condoms don't eliminate risk completely. Both male and female plastic condoms (made from polyurethane) provide some protection, but not as much as latex condoms. However, though condoms can help protect you, research shows that they may not provide as much protection against some STDs, such as human papillomavirus (HPV). Also, it's important for you to know that "skin" condoms (made from animal membrane) don't protect you at all. Abstinence - not having sex of any kind - is the best protection. It's the only 100 percent sure way to avoid getting an STD. Who can I talk to? It's best to talk to a parent. If you don't feel like you can, try talking to a teacher, school nurse, family doctor, clergy, or other responsible adult. What can happen if I get an STD? ??Gonorrhea and Chlamydia: These two STDs can cause the following serious health problems if not diagnosed and treated early: ??Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can damage fallopian tubes and make it difficult or impossible to have a baby, a problem called "infertility." ? Chronic pain in the lower abdomen. ? Tubal pregnancy, also called ectopic pregnancy, a condition in which the pregnancy grows in the fallopian tube instead of in the uterus. This problem is dangerous and requires immediate medical care. ? HPV (genital warts): Infection with some types of HPV has been linked to cancer of the cervix. ??Syphilis: This STD can cause blindness, heart disease, mental illness, joint damage, and death, if not diagnosed and treated early. ??HIV/AIDS: People who develop AIDS have severely weakened immune systems, which can lead to infections and death. Having another STD increases the risk of getting and transmitting HIV/AIDS. There is no cure for AIDS at this time. Males and females who are infected with STDs can transmit the infection to their partners. If pregnant, women can then transmit the infection to their babies. Common Myths Myth: If I don't have symptoms, that means I don't have an STD. Fact: You can be infected with an STD and not know it. The only sure way to know if you have an STD is by having a medical exam and lab tests. Myth: HIV/AIDS is the only STD that can't be cured. Fact: STDs caused by viruses - genital herpes, genital warts, and HIV/AIDS - cannot be cured, although some medications may reduce the severity and/or delay the appearance of symptoms. STDs caused by bacteria (like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis) can usually be cured with antibiotics. If they are not treated early, serious long-term problems can develop, like pain, infertility, and even death. What are the symptoms of common STDs? Chlamydia ? 3/4 of infected females and 1/2 of infected males have no symptoms. ? Discharge from the genital organs. ? Burning with urination. ? In females, lower abdominal and/or back pain and pain during intercourse. Gonorrhea ? Discharge from the genital organs. ? Burning or itching during urination. ? Pelvic pain. ? Females frequently have no symptoms. Syphilis ? Painless sores on genitals (10 days to 3 months after infection). ? Rash (3 to 6 weeks after sores appear). HIV/AIDS ? No symptoms may appear for years until symptoms of AIDS occur. HPV ? Genital warts (sometimes warts are not visible). ? Not everyone with HPV has symptoms. That includes people infected with the types of HPV linked to cervical cancer. Genital Herpes ? Itching, burning, or pain in the genital area. ? Blisters or sores (sores always heal but can reappear throughout your life). If you experience any of these symptoms, go to a doctor or clinic as soon as possible to be tested and treated! Prevention How can I prevent getting an STD? Abstinence (not having intimate sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex) is the best and only 100 percent effective way to prevent getting an STD. Even if you have had sex, returning to abstinence is the best way to protect yourself. For sexually active people, the next best way to prevent infection is to have sex with only one partner after both of you have been tested for STDs. Using a latex or plastic condom every time you have sex is an important part of this. Proper condom use is even more important for people who have sex with multiple partners. Latex condoms can help protect against HIV/AIDS and other STDs, but they don't provide perfect protection. To teens involved in high-risk behaviors and relationships and to those who may have relations with high-risk populations, the message is: USE LATEX CONDOMS consistently and correctly. Latex condoms offer more protection than any other contraceptive method. If I am taking birth control pills, can I still get an STD? YES! Birth control pills only protect against pregnancy, not STDs. People who take birth control pills or use hormonal injections, patches, implants, or rings to prevent pregnancy should also use latex or plastic condoms. What should I do if I think I might have an STD? If you think you have been exposed to an STD, you should go to a clinic or doctor as soon as possible to be tested and treated. Health departments, which diagnose and treat STDs, are located in almost every county and city. They provide confidential information and will help answer any questions you have about STDs. Should I have a checkup? If you are sexually active, you should visit a clinic or doctor to be screened for STDs. Teens who have had sex with more than one person are at greater risk of getting an STD such as HIV/AIDS. Where can I get more information about STD prevention? Call CDC's National Prevention Information Network (NPIN) at 1-800-458- 5231 or visit http://www.cdc.gov/std/. March 1998, Updated May 2007 For additional copies, please contact: Office of Population Affairs Clearinghouse E-mail: info@opaclearinghouse.org . Phone: 1-866-640-7827 . Fax: 1-866- 592-3299 Web site: http://opa.osophs.dhhs.gov/clearinghouse.html