There are over 25 different types of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD's). It is the second most common type of infection in the United States (the cold is number one). Each year, more than 15 million new cases are reported. That is about 41,000 per day! A quarter of those infections occur in teens.

STD's are a SILENT epidemic.

80% of those infected do not develop initial symptoms! STD's are contagious even without symptoms being present. You cannot tell by looking at someone if they have an STD.

Could you be infected?

Answer the following questions:

•  Have you ever had sex?
•  Are you sexually active now?
• Do you plan to have sex before marriage?     

If you answered YES to any of these questions, you are at risk. You can be infected now, or may have permanent damage from a silent disease in the past.

If you answered YES to the first two questions, it is ABSOLUTELY essential that you are tested for STD's.

If you answered NO on every question, this means you are SAFE!

If you have questions about testing, we can help you answer them! Please contact us if you are concerned.

Do you know all the risks of being sexually active? 

Sexually Transmitted Diseases can lead to:

• Sterility and infertility
• Scarring
• Brain disorders
• Heart disease
• Blindness
• Dementia
• Cancer (of the penis, anus or cervix)
• Removal of uterus, tubes and ovaries
• Liver damage
• Ectopic pregnancy
• And even death!

Remember: the majority of those with a STD are unaware that they have one. STD's may not show symptoms until they have already done damage to your body!

What about "safe sex?"

The birth control pill and other hormonal contraceptive methods (like the patch and the depo shot) provide NO protection from STD's. Many of these methods may also have side effects for the women choosing to use them.

For years, you have heard some say, "Use a condom every time you have sex." The implication is that condoms take the risk out of sexual activity, but research shows that is just not the case. According to reliable studies, approximately 14 percent of couples using condoms for pregnancy prevention get pregnant during the first year of use. In addition, even with 100 percent use (which is uncommon), condoms at best only reduce the risk (not eliminate) of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases).

The truth is, even if you use a condom every single time you have sex, you are still at risk for both pregnancy and a significant number of STDs.  

STDs are not just humiliating or painful. They can cause infertility, cervical cancer-even death. So how effective are condoms at protecting you from infection? It depends on the disease.

Those STD's that are spread through bodily fluids (such as HIV), the condom will only reduce your risk of contracting that disease.

Some studies have shown that the condom will prevent HIV transmission about 85% of the time. Is that a risk you are willing to take?

STD's that can spread through bodily contact (such as HPV or warts, chlamydia or herpes), the condom offers significantly less protection.

Common STD's that are NOT CURABLE

The following are considered viral STDs and are NOT curable.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

HPV can easily spread and may appear as warts on men. For women, there are often no visible symptoms; however, some experience vulvar burning, itching and pain. Only 1-7% of those infected develop warts.

Even without the presence of warts, HPV can cause damage. It can cause cancer of the penis for men. And for women, develops into cancer if not treated.

There are 20 million cases existing today and 60 different strains exist. 75 percent of sexually active Americans are or have previously been infected with HPV

Herpes II

Herpes causes recurrent and painful genital blisters; however, the disease is transmittable even if sores are not present.

Genital Herpes is life threatening for babies born to mothers with a fresh outbreak.

40% of those with Herpes show no symptoms. It is estimated that one out of every four women and men will become infected with Herpes during their lifetime.

Hepatitis B

The common cause of liver cancer. There are 300,000 new cases annually.

40% - 50% of children born to infected mothers develop liver cancer. Nearly 30% of those infected show no signs or symptoms.

HIV / AIDS

The CDC estimates that about 800,000 - 900,000 people are living with HIV in the United States. About one fourth of these people are unaware they are infected.

Symptoms may not appear for 5-10 years, but HIV is infectious as soon as the virus is acquired - even if not yet found by tests. HIV always results in AIDS, which is always fatal.

Symptoms can include fever, sore throat, fatigue, swollen lymph glands, and causes the immune system to break down.

Of those people infected with HIV/AIDS, 20% were infected during their teen years.

Common STD's that MAY BE CURABLE

The following are considered bacterial STDs & are curable under the right conditions.

Syphilis

This is a very contagious sore (chancre) that disappears untreated, yet the disease is dormant. It reappears as months and years go by with serious results:
Consequences of this STD includes: blindness, insanity, bone and heart damage, and death.

Mothers can transmit Syphilis to the baby and cause birth defects and death for the infant.

Gonorrhea

This STD causes scarring of the urethra and urinary tract problems for men, and infertility for women.

There are more than 700,000 new cases reported annually.

A pregnant woman can pass this onto her baby causing blindness, joint infection, or a life threatening blood infection in the baby.

Chlamydia

The symptoms of Chlamydia are usually mild or there are no symptoms at all. It can cause sterility in both men, and women and permanent damage to the male urinary tract.

For women, the advanced stage may require removal of uterus, tubes, and ovaries.

There an estimated 3 million people are infected annually and 70% are not even aware they are infected with this STD because they have no symptoms. This is the most common bacterial STD in the U.S.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

This is a female disease caused by another infection (usually Chlamydia or Gonorrhea) that travels up the reproductive tract to the pelvic, even abdominal cavity. It can result in chronic pain, sterility, tubal pregnancies, adhesions, and even death.

There are 1 million new cases annually; most in the 15-19 year age group. More than 100,000 women become infertile annually because of PID.

What should I do?

Anyone who has ever had sexual intercourse should be tested, even if you do not have any signs or symptoms.  See your private health care provider immediately.  If seeing your own doctor is not possible, contact us and we can help you explore your options.

Testing should include at least:

• A blood test
• A urine test
• A complete exam and culture of any ulcers or sores
• For women a pap smear (and if positive then screening for HPV)

YOU ARE WORTH WAITING FOR!

Decide today that you will start over and remain abstinent from this day forward. Do not risk continued exposure to STD's, pregnancy and the emotional consequences of sex prior to marriage!