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STDs: What Everyone Needs to Know
by Jennifer Z. Gong, 17, SEX, ETC.
Prom. A new car. Finding a job. Getting to college. Young people nowadays have so many things to worry about, it's a wonder we don't go crazy. But here's another thing we need to add to the list: sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
"STDs?" you say. "I'm still young, what do I need to know about those?"
Actually, a great deal. Every year in the United States, there are roughly 15 million new cases of STDs; about two-thirds of these cases occur among young people under age 25. And the risk of getting an STD is higher among teens than adults in the U.S., according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
STDs are a serious problem for our generation, and ignorance is no excuse. It's absolutely crucial to learn and remember certain things about STDs-to internalize them and keep them for your own protection.
Here are the top ten things you should know about STDs:
1. Gonorrhea, chlamydia, and human papillomavirus (HPV) are the most common STDs among young people.
Why are STDs like these so common? According to the CDC report, Tracking the Hidden Epidemics 2000, "teenagers and young adults are more likely than other age groups to have multiple sex partners, to engage in unprotected sex, and, for young women, to choose sexual partners older than themselves."
Pablo Rodriguez, M.D., medical director of Planned Parenthood of Rhode Island, thinks many young people are also misinformed about the risks of STD transmission.
"There's a pervasive feeling that STDs can only happen to other people, not ourselves, and we fail to get protection. There's also a sense that you can tell who has an infection by his or her appearance. But people with STDs look just like you and me. They don't look sick or dirty, as some people believe," says Dr. Rodriguez.
To learn more about these common STDs, check out this
info on gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HPV.
2. Many STDs are asymptomatic, so getting tested is the only way to know …
"Asymptomatic" means "without symptoms"; and many STDs, like gonorrhea, are not detectable by the usual, "Oh, no, I have a rash on my _______!" You can't always "look" for physical signs that you have an STD.
"Even a professional like me needs to take cultures and tests to determine whether one is infected" versus relying on symptoms that may be visible to the naked eye, according to Dr. Rodriguez.
So, getting tested for STDs is the only way to know whether you have one. If you test positive, then you can take the right steps for treatment and, if possible, a cure. Get the scoop on testing here.
3. … But some people do experience symptoms or signs of STD infection.
Even though many STDs are asymptomatic (show no symptoms), there are some common STD symptoms or signs. The most common ones are:
" sores and blisters on or near the genitalia or mouth;
" unusual odor, color, or amount of discharge from the penis or vagina;
" itches, rashes and bumps on the sex organs and other parts of the body; and/or
" burning pain during urination.
Unfortunately, some of these symptoms are mild and may go unnoticed.
4. You don't need to be a "player" to get an STD.
Just because you only have one sexual partner doesn't mean you aren't at risk for STD infection. Yes, if you're the player type-if you switch sexual partners often and have unprotected sex-your risk is greater. But you could still have sex with just one person and get an STD.
Why?-because you and your partner may not have talked about your sexual and STD histories, or what protection you'll use to prevent STD transmission. You may be very careful about protection, but you don't know how careful your partner is. You may use protection during vaginal sex, but not realize that you can get an STD through oral and anal sex, too. That's why it's always important to talk about your sexual history and use protection during oral, vaginal, and/or anal sex. And if you can't talk to your partner about sex, you probably shouldn't be having it.
"If you have unprotected sex with more than one person, or that person has multiple sexual partners, then you're at risk for STDs," adds Dr. Rodriguez. "Remember that you are, in essence, being exposed to all the sexual partners of your partner."
5. You can get tested for STDs confidentially and for free or at low cost.
Most public health clinics let you screen and test for STDs confidentially, so your privacy can be preserved. They also offer STD testing for free or at low-cost (also known as "sliding-scale fees").
"A sliding-scale fee allows clinics like Planned Parenthood to serve young people at little or no cost, depending on the state and the youth's income. STD clinics financed by the health department are usually completely free of charge," says Dr. Rodriguez.
So, if you're worried about embarrassing yourself by going to a clinic for an STD test, just remember: the people who work at the clinic are there to help you. And the people going there are just as concerned about their health as you are. So, there's no need to be embarrassed!
For more info on health clinics, contact your county's health department or find a Planned Parenthood health center near you here or by calling 1-800-230-PLAN (7526).
6. You can get treated for STDs, and many STDs can be cured.
"Most STDs can be easily cured, provided they're discovered on time," says Dr. Rodriguez.
For example, chlamydia and gonorrhea should be detected as soon as possible, "since they can cause devastating changes to the genital tract, such as infertility [inability to have babies] and chronic pain," he says.
"But viral STDs [those caused by a virus], such as herpes or HIV, can be controlled, but not cured," adds Dr. Rodriguez.
Getting tested for STDs is the first step toward treatment or a cure. To find a testing center near you, click here.
7. Having one STD can put you more at risk for getting another-even getting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
When you're infected with something-anything, really-your immune system is busy trying to fight that infection. So, naturally, having an STD can preoccupy its disease-fighting abilities. When another virus comes along, your immune system is weakened, so it can't fight both at the same time.
"Opportunistic infections usually occur when someone's immune system is compromised. Herpes is especially opportunistic in that anything that lowers your immunity will make the virus re-appear," explains Dr. Rodriguez.
So, again, it's important to get tested for STDs! To find a testing center near you, click here.
8. New STD tests exist, so getting tested may not be as painful as you think.
"There are some very cool tests now that involve urine instead of doing internal cultures. They're very sensitive, because they test for the DNA of the pathogens [a specific virus or disease]. These tests are very effective," explains Dr. Rodriguez.
9. Getting tested for STDs once isn't enough.
Just because you're cleared after the first STD-testing doesn't mean you're cleared for life. You need to get tested if, since your last STD test:
" you or your partner have had different or new sexual partners
" you or your partner have had unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sex together or with a new partner
" you or your partner have participated in any other risky behaviors (like sharing IV needles).
"Repeat testing is sometimes necessary to identify new infections." adds Dr. Rodriguez.
To learn more about how to lower your risk using protection or which STD tests are right for you, talk to your doctor or a health care provider.
10. If you have sex, latex condoms are your best bet for staying STD-free-but you need to use them every time.
If you are sexually active, "latex condoms are your best protection against STDs," says Dr. Rodriguez. "It's also important to realize that condoms only protect against some STDs, such as chlamydia and HIV. Herpes and HPV (genital warts) can be transmitted by skin-to-skin contact through areas not covered by the condom."
So, adds Dr. Rodriguez, to stay protected from STDs, use protection and make sure you and your partner has also been tested for STDs and that you're both only having sex with each other (no cheating!).
The bottom line is: if you're not ready to use protection to prevent STD transmission, talk to your partner, or respect your health, then you're definitely not ready to have sexual intercourse.
Got questions about STDs? Call the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National STD Hotline at 1-800-227-8922. Want to find a testing center near you? Click here.
Jennifer Z. Gong, 17, of Edison, NJ, is an editor for SEX, ETC., the national newsletter and Web site written by teens, for teens, on sexual health issues, published by the Network for Family Life Education at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.
 Visit SEX, ETC. at www.sexetc.org
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