S–Y

sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention
Doctors diagnose and treat about 12 million new
STD infections annually in the United States, and
more than 70 million Americans live with incur-
able STDs. Nearly all STD infections are preventa-
ble through sexual abstinence, which is a certain
though often undesirable preventive measure, or
through safer sex practices, which include using
latex condoms with every sexual act and regular
screening tests for STDs.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (STDs)

Curative Treatment Treatment but No Cure

chancroid GENITAL HERPES
CHLAMYDIA HEPATITISB
GONORRHEA HIV/AIDS
lymphogranuloma venereum HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS(HPV)
nongonococcal URETHRITIS
SYPHILIS
TRICHOMONIASIS

HEPATITISC and TUBERCULOSISalso are often con-
tracted through sexual contact though are not tra-
ditionally considered STDs. Untreated STDs can
have significant health consequences including
INFERTILITY, CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEMdamage, gener-
alized organ damage, and death. STDs can affect
anyone who is sexually active. However, certain
groups of people are more vulnerable to STD
INFECTION and to the consequences of untreated
STDs. Health experts classify these groups as spe-
cial focus populations

• men who have sex with other men (MSM)


• injectable DRUGusers


• men and women who have unprotected sex
  with multiple partners
  
  
  • men and women entering correctional facilities
  
  
  • adolescents and young adults
  
  
  • women and infants
  
  
  
  

STDs may not cause symptoms, especially in

women. A person who is unaware that he or she

has an STD continues to spread the infection. The

infection also has long-term personal conse-

quences. For women, the key complication of

untreated or repeated STD infection is PELVIC

INFLAMMATORY DISEASE (PID), a leading cause of

infertility. PID also can cause chronic PAIN and

contribute to ECTOPIC PREGNANCY(also called tubal

pregnancy), a life-threatening circumstance in

which a pregnancy takes root in the fallopian tube

or elsewhere in the abdominal cavity instead of

the UTERUS.

Oral contraceptives (birth control pills),

diaphragms, intrauterine devices

(IUDs), and spermicides do not protect

women from contracting STD infec-

tions.

Men may also have STDs without symptoms,

though often develop urethritis (INFLAMMATIONof

the URETHRA) with discharge that leads to exami-

nation and diagnosis. In men and women alike,

untreated SYPHILISgoes into stages of REMISSION. In

most STDs, the infection remains contagious

whether or not symptoms are present. The male

latex condom is the most effective barrier against

transmitting STDs. The pathogens that cause STDs

cannot pass through the latex. However, contact

between body fluids and mucous membranes can

occur around the condom, so its protection is not

foolproof. It is essential to use condoms properly

(putting them on immediately upon erection and

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