Notes on STD/STI

Mrs. KingName ______

What are STD/STI's

  • Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) or sexually transmitted infections (STI's) are infections that are passed from one person to another through sexual activity and close body contact. Many STD/STI's are curable but some are not and they remain with an infected person for life! Many people have these infections and don't know it. They look and feel healthy. Statistics show that young people are more likely to catch STD/STI's that any other age group, especially girls age 15-19 and boys 20-24.
  • These diseases are caused by viruses, bacteria and parasites (small bugs).

Why are teens at so much risk?

  • Teen's immune systems are still developing and not able to fight off diseases like adult's immune systems do.
  • For young women, their cervixes are not fully mature, making it easier for them to get an STD.
  • Teens who are experimenting with drugs take risky chances that they might otherwise avoid when sober.
  • Most teens don't believe that they will get an STD.

Did you Know?

  • One out of every four sexually active teens will get an STD/STI.
  • One in every five Americans has had an STD/STI.

How are these diseases spread?

  • Through sexual activity because they are carried in semen, vaginal fluids, and blood.
  • Through skin to skin contact
  • From infected mothers to their children during pregnancy, birth or after birth

  • Sometimes from shared personal items (i.e. beds, towels, toilet seats)
  • Any abnormal discharge from the penis or vagina
  • Burning when urinating
  • Unusual sores, rashes or blisters around the genitals
  • Pain in the abdomen or swollen glands in the groin
  • It's important to know that many people do not have symptoms, but that does not mean they do not have the disease.
  • reduce a person's fertility
  • increase risk for cervical cancer
  • complicate pregnancy, causing birth defects and death for newborns
  • death
  • many other unpleasant symptoms (hair loss, painful sores, blindness, deafness, paralysis, heart disease, arthritis, brain damage and more)
  • The only sure way to avoid these diseases is to practice being abstinent! Condoms do not protect from skin to skin diseases.
  • Talk to a trusted adult
  • See their doctor or health care provider
  • Avoid contact with others until you know for sure (you don't want to spread a disease)