STDs

STDs: Sexually Transmitted Diseases (also known as Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).)

There are more than 25 diseases spread primarily by sexual activity, called STDs.

There are two main categories of STDs: viral and bacterial.

STDs caused by bacteria, such as gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia, are curable with antibiotics.

STDs caused by viruses are not curable. These include Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Herpes, and Hepatitis. Medical treatment can help with the symptoms of these STDs, but at this time there is no cure for them.

Some STDs, such as gonorrhea, cause obvious symptoms. Others do not- chlamydia is one example of an STD which is asymptomatic, with no obvious signs or symptoms. STDs are not always visible.

Really important things to know about STDs

Did you know that:
People who have an STD are FIVE TIMES more likely to transmit HIV STDs can be FAR more serious for people who are living with HIV because a compromised immune system has a much harder time fighting off infections. That means that the same little syphilis infection you treated with antibiotics back in the 70s today could land you in the hospital
STDs have changed! Now, some STDs are resistant to treatment. This is very alarming. In 2002 the CDC documented treatment failures in people with syphilis taking azithromycin, and the CDC no longer recommends treating gonorrhea with fluoroquinoline because fluoroquinoline-resistant strains of gonorrhea are becoming increasingly common in Asia, Hawaii, and California among men who have sex with men.

Who is at increased risk for transmitting STDs?

• People having unprotected sex with partners of unknown STD status
• People with many sex partners
• Commercial sex workers (or people who trade sex for money or drugs)
• Sex partners of commercial sex workers
• People who use or abuse substances, including alcohol
• People with other STDs