Health 101


STD's

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are diseases that are spread sexual activity. STDs can be spread through anal, oral or vaginal intercourse. Some STDs are really common while others are rarer. Some are curable and some are not. Some have symptoms and many have no signs or symptoms at all. This is why it is so important to always use protection 100% of the time you are sexually active and receive regular STD screenings, especially if you have multiple partners.

If you do have an STD, it is very important to tell each of your sex partners (even past partners) so they can also be tested. If you don’t feel like you can contact your partners yourself, feel free to talk to your healthcare provider about different options to help have your partners informed. Public health may be able to assist in relaying the information for you.

For more information about specific STD’s, please check out the following links!

http://www.cdc.gov/std/healthcomm/fact_sheets.htm

http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/communicable/std.aspx (information en espanol)

Chlamydia is the most commonly reported sexually transmitted disease and while it is easy to cure it usually has no signs or symptoms so many people do not know they have an infection. Chlamydia is most common in 15-19 year olds. If untreated, chlamydia can cause an infection called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) that can cause infertility (not being able to get pregnant). The test for chlamydia is easy. Your healthcare provider can test your urine or a sample from your penis, vagina, cervix or rectum.

Genital herpes is a common infection with no cure. Herpes outbreaks can come and go but the infection never goes away. There are treatments available to help decrease outbreaks. The only way to know you have herpes is to have your blood tested by your healthcare provider (or to have a suspected outbreak cultured). You can get genital herpes through skin-to-skin contact but most often during vaginal or anal sex. Genital herpes can be spread even when there are no sores!!!! Even if you do not have symptoms, you can still spread herpes. Using condoms helps reduce the chances of passing the infection but does not protect 100%.

Gonorrhea, sometimes called "the clap", is a treatable STD that often has not symptoms. This makes it difficult to know if you or your sex partners have a gonorrhea infection. Gonorrhea is spread through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex with an infected partner. Gonorrhea infection makes it easier to get HIV and other STDs and pass them to sex partners. Just like chlamydia, untreated gonorrhea can cause an infection called PID that can lead to infertility. The test for gonorrhea is a simple urine sample or swab from the penis, vagina or rectum.

HPV is a group of viruses that can cause cancer and warts. There are over 100 types of HPV with some being more dangeroud than others. HPV is one of the most common STD’s and about 75% - 90% of all people who have sex are likely to get HPV at some point in their lives. HPV is spread during vaginal or anal sex. The risk from oral sex is very low. Most people who get HPV never know they have it because it shows no symptoms at all but it is still possible to transmit the infection even without symptoms! Genital warts are usually painless, smooth, flat bumps or small, cauliflower-like growths on the vulva, vaginal opening, penis and anus – usually where there's a lot of rubbing during sex. Most HPV infections do not cause cervical cancer. Pap smears (an examination of the cervix for abnormal cells) are a very effective and simple way to check for any risk for cervical cancer. There is a vaccine called Gardasil that helps protect against 4 strains of HPV. If you are interested in the vaccine, please contact your provider or check out the following clincs…………………

Syphilis is a curable STD that presents with a painless sore called a chancre and is passed during oral, vaginal or anal sex. Some people may have swollen lymphnodes and/or a spotted rash on the hands or soles of feet. Sores can be hidden in the vagina, rectum or mouth making it difficult to tell if your partner is infected. Syphilis can progressively get worse and is really important to treat as early as possible. Syphilis is not very common however there has been an increase in cases in King County since 1997. Syphilis can be tested by blood tests or by testing fluid taken from lesions. Syphilis is treated with penicillin.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV is a complicated virus that weakens the immune system which places HIV positive individuals at greater risk for infections. HIV treatments can delay the onset of AIDS for many years. Unprotected sex and sharing needles increases your risk of contracting HIV. About 350 - 400 people get infected with HIV in King County every year. HIV can be found in the blood, vaginal fluid, semen, and breast milk of people infected with HIV. You can only get HIV if one of these fluids gets into your body. If there is no way for someone else's blood or sexual fluids to get into your body, there is no risk. You cannot get HIV from: sweat, saliva, tears, hugging, touching, kissing, coughing or sneezing, mosquito bites, sharing household items, toilets, swimming pools or donating blood.

Trichomoniasis, often called “Trich”, is a treatable STD caused by a protozoan parasite. Most people have no symptoms at all. If women are symptomatic, they tend to have yellow-green vaginal discharge, irritation or itching around the vagina. Men may have a discharge from their penis and discomfort while peeing. You can prevent trich by using appropriate protection and making sure that you and your sex partners are all treated before having sex. If not treated, you may have an increased risk for getting HIV or passing HIV to a partner.

All information on this page has come from http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/communicable/std.aspx