While it is normal and healthy for people to enjoy active sex lives, there are more than 30 sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that can make things unpleasant. Every year 2.5 million U.S. teenagers get STDs. Nobody is immune. Practice Safe Sex, so you won't have to worry about STDs and STIs, and sex will be a lot more fun.
|
|
symptoms |
treatment |
|---|---|---|
|
chlamydia |
women usually have none; men have pain/burning when urinating, yellow discharge; sometimes no symptoms |
antibiotic that kills bacteria |
|
crabs or pubic lice * |
severe itching |
prescription or over-the-counter lotion (Kwell) |
|
genital herpes |
red bumps/blisters in genital area; pain or burning when peeing |
pills & ointment for symptoms but no cure |
|
genital warts or HPV |
bumpy warts on or near genitals, or inside your anus or vagina |
removal of warts but no cure |
|
gonorrhea |
pain/burning when urinating; yellow discharge |
antibiotic that kills bacteria |
|
hepatitis B & C |
yellow skin, abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting |
pills, shots for symptoms but no cure; vaccine |
|
molluscum contagiosum * |
small white bumps around genital/anal area |
removal of bumps but no cure |
|
pelvic inflammatory disease (women only) * |
cramping or pain in pelvic or abdominal area |
antibiotics |
|
scabies * |
line of small red spots -- very itchy |
prescription lotion |
|
syphilis |
painless open sores, rash, genital ulcers, flu-like symptoms |
penicillin shots to kill bacteria |
|
vaginal infections * |
smelly or funny-colored discharge, itching |
antibiotics |
|
yeast infection * |
itching, discharge, soreness in genital area |
Monistat 7 or other over-the-counter treatments |
* Not always sexually transmitted. You can get it without having sex.
Most of these are serious. They have dangerous consequences and need medical care. STDs and STIs can make you unable to have children, cause birth defects, and increase your chances of getting cancer. For women, pelvic inflammatory disease and yeast infections that keep coming back can be early signs of HIV infection. And AIDS, hepatitis B & C, and syphilis can kill.
You may not have all of these symptoms or you may have other symptoms, like abdominal pain. Women often have no symptoms, so it's important to have a pelvic exam every year. Men and women who are having anal sex can ask for a rectal exam. If you think you may have been exposed to any STDs or STIs, see a healthcare provider and ask what to do. Check Resources for STD testing and women's clinics.
| <
| Contents
| >
|
practice safe sex, so you won't have to worry about STD's