Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) remain a major public health problem in the United States. While progress has been made in preventing, diagnosing, and treating certain STDs, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 19 million new infections occur every year, almost half of them among young people aged 15 to 24. These diseases exact a tremendous toll in physical and psychological consequences. Furthermore, medical costs associated with STDs in the United States are estimated as high as $14.1 billion annually.
In 2000, the CDC noted that "STDs are one of the most under-recognized health problems in the country today — despite the fact that stds are extremely widespread, have severe and sometimes deadly consequences..." Nevertheless, the incidence of these preventable diseases has continuted to rise.
Condoms have been advanced as a solution to the growing problem of STD trasmission. However, condoms do not aid in the prevention of all STDs and are not one hundred percent effective. Several contraceptives — including The Pill, Shot, and IUD — offer no protection from STDs whatsoever. Other methods similarly cannot prevent the spread of disease organisms.
Most STDs (like HIV and Herpes) are viral, and there is no cure for viruses. Some STDs are bacterial and can be treated, but they often manifest no symptoms for up to ten years. Without symptoms the victim does not know he or she has an STD, so no treatment is taken. All the while irreversible damage can be occurring. Birth Choice urges clients who test negative for pregnancy to be tested for STDs so that they can receive treatment and so that they will not unknowingly spread the infection.
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CHLAMYDIA
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Symptoms of Chlamydia
Men - Usually none. Some have discharge from the penis and burning with urination.
Women - Usually none. Some have pain and/or vaginal discharge.
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Damage from Chlamydia
Men - Infertility.
Women - Can cause chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility.
Advanced stage may require removal of uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
Rarely, genital chlamydia can cause arthritis, skin lesions, inflammation of the eye and urethra.
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Numbers: An estimated 2.8 million Americans are infected with chlamydia each year. Women may be reinfected if their sex partner is not treated. Many do not seek treatment because they do not know they are infected.
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More information: Learn more about chlamydia.
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GONORRHEA
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Symptoms of Gonorrhea
Men - Pus from urethra. Burning upon urination. Painful or swollen testicles. Rectal infection.
Women - Pelvic pain; painful urination and pus-like discharge.
Most women have no symptoms. Rectal infection.
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Damage from Gonorrhea
Men - Epididymitis, a painful condition of the testicles that can lead to infertility.
Women - Chronic pelvic pain, infertility, ectopic pregnancy. Pelvic inflammatory disease.
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Numbers: More than 700,000 persons in the US get new gonorrheal infections each year. Only about half of these infections are reported as the disease often has no symptoms.
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More information: Learn more about gonorrhea.
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SYPHILIS
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Symptoms:
Men - 1st stage: Swollen nonpainful ulcers on external genitals; 2nd stage: Changes of skin, fever, enlarged lymph nodes.
Women - 1st stage: Often unnoticed; 2nd stage: Same as men.
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Damage:
Men - Brain disorders, heart disease; blindness, dementia and death.
Women - Same as men. Also can cause birth defects or death in newborns if mother is infected.
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Numbers: 120,000 new cases reported annually. 50% are not aware they have the disease. |
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More information: Learn more about syphilis.
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GENITAL HERPES
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Symptoms:
Men & Women - Lesions appear at the site of infection - periodic eruptions of painful blister and ulcers anywhere on the body.
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Damage:
Men - Continuous outbreaks. Eventually may lead to hospitalization. Lifetime medication required.
Women - Same as men. Also causes infant death.
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Numbers: 30 million infected. 500,000 new cases reported annually. 73% show no symptoms. 20% of those sexually active have this disease.
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More information: Learn more about genital herpes.
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HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS (HPV)
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Symptoms:
Men - Wart-like genital growths.
Women - Often no visible symptoms. Some experience vulvar burning, itching and pain.
Abnormal pap smears.
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Damage:
Men - Cancer of the penis and anus.
Women - Initially premalignant changes difficult to eradicate. Develops into cancer if not treated.
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Numbers: Approximately 20 million people are currently infected with HPV. At least 50 percent of sexually active men and women get a genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. By age 50, at least 80 percent of women will have acquired genital HPV infection. About 6.2 million Americans get a new genital HPV infection each year.
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More information: Learn more about human papilloma virus or HPV at this site.
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HEPATITIS B
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Symptoms:
Men - Often none. Some experience yellowing of the skin (jaundice), tiredness, dark urine and gray- colored stools.
Women - Same as men.
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Damage:
Men & Women - Severe liver damage. Can eventually lead to cancer and of the liver and cirrhosis.
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Numbers:
There are about 60,000 new cases in the US every year, which is declining due to routine hepatitis B vaccination. The highest rate of disease occurs in 20-49 year-olds. There are an estimated 1.25 million chronically infected Americans.
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More information: Learn more about hepatitis B.
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PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE (PID)
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Symptoms:
Men - This disease affects only women.
Women - See Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. Often symptoms are minor and mistaken for menstrual cramps.
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Damage:
Women - Ectopic pregnancy which is fatal to the baby and life-threatening to the woman. Sterility and cancer are common.
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Numbers: 1 million new cases annually, most in the 15-19 year age group. 100,000 women become infertile as a result of PID each year.
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More information: Learn more about pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancy.
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HIV/AIDS
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Symptoms:
Men - Fever, sore throat, fatigue, swollen lymph glands.
Women - Same as men.
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Damage:
Men & Women - Immune system breaks down; death.
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Numbers: 1 million infected. Approximately 20% in young adult
population. 20% infected during the teen years.
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More information: Learn more about HIV and AIDS.
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