Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’S)

[Guest guest]

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’S)

Cervical cancer in women is linked to human papilloma virus (HPV) which is a STD that also causes genital warts. More than five million people are infected with HPV each year. Hepatitis B is 100 times more infectious than HIV. Two-thirds of Hepatitis B (HBV) infections are transmitted sexually. HBV is linked to chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. One in five Americans has genital herpes, yet 90 percent of those with herpes are unaware they have it. HPV and Chlamydia are the most common STDs in the United States. Less than half of adults ages 18 to 44 have ever been tested for an STD other than HIV/AIDS. STDs, other than HIV, cost about $8 billion each year to diagnose and treat.STD’S and the African American Community: Blacks represent 12 percent of the U.S. population yet account for almost half of all reported Chlamydia and syphilis cases and more than 70 percent of all reported gonorrhea cases. New CDC data show

that women are more likely to be infected with HSV-2 (also known as herpes) than men. Again the most affected group is Black women. Most STDs have been associated with increased risk of HIV transmission. Blacks accounted for almost half of new HIV infections. The impact of STDs is particularly severe for women. Since many STD's often cause few or no symptoms in women, they may go untreated. Some of these complications in women include ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, cervical cancer and infertility. Many men will show no symptoms when infected with an STD, so it’s a good idea to get annual screening, especially if you are under the age of 26.Tips and Warnings• If you think you have an STD, or if you had sexual contact with someone who might have an STD, you should see a health care provider right away. Ask your partner to be tested also.• Never have unprotected sex with a partner whose sexual

history you don’t know or who may be infected with an STD. Being in a relationship where both people are committed to monogamy and the use of condoms are the safest ways to prevent STDs.• You can decrease your risk for getting STD’s by using condoms every time you have sex (even oral sex), limiting your number of partners, or abstaining from sexual activity.• No method is full proof except abstinence.• To reduce the impact of STD's, it is important to increase knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases and make STD testing a part of routine medical care. • We must educate our parents, healthcare providers, families, schools as well as churches before this goes beyond repair. Telling our children to say no to sex has never worked.• Parents who are uncomfortable talking about sexual issues with their children should get their medical provider or some other qualified health professional.•

The worst thing someone can do is nothing. • Our children are being educated by their friends, television, internet and music. We need to educate them.

http://www.thewestsidegazette.com/News/Article/Article.asp?NewsID=106300 & sID=20 & ItemSource=L