STI’s (Sexually Transmitted Infections)

STDs (or Sexually transmitted diseases) are infections that someone can get from another person already infected with that infection or disease. These infections are usually passed to others through sexual intercourse, but they can be transmitted by engaging in other sexual behaviors with an infected person.

Some of these infections are transmitted by BACTERIA, which means that they can be cured with antibiotics or other medications.(please allow clicking of the word bacteria to show or highlight only the bacterial STDs - chlamydia, gonno, syph)

Others are caused by PARASITES, and they can be transmitted through sexual behaviors or through close intimate contact like sharing infested sheets, towels or clothing (crabs and scabies)

Still other STDs are caused by VIRUSES. These infections can be treated and the symptoms can be controlled with medications, but they will not ever be totally cured. A person who gets an STD caused by a virus will always have that infection, and can possibly pass it on to others if protection is not used.(HIV, HPV, Herpes, hepatitis)

Photos of STI’s

There are an abundant number of sexually transmitted infections, which were once called sexually transmitted diseases.

Do you know the difference between and sexually transmitted disease (STDs) and a sexually transmitted infection (STIs)?

Well… there are two differences. One difference is some STDs are not diseases, but instead they are viruses. So that means they are infections because some viruses can be treated while others cannot.

The second difference is STIs carry a less stigmatized meaning then STDs.

Common Symptoms of STIs:

• unusual discharge (white, green, or yellow)
• itching
• soreness when urinating
• sores in anus, genital region, and/ mouth
• sore throat for individuals who have oral sex
• unusual rash on either the genital region or all over your body
• blisters/ sores that appear then go away and then come back again
• swollen glands

Prevention:

• the only way to protect yourself from an STI is to be abstinent!
• However, if you do decide to be sexually active, you must use a condom or some other barrier method of prevention, like dental dams EVERY time you have ANY form of sex (i.e. anal, oral and vaginal sex)

What are the problems with having an STD? Why should I get tested and treated?

STDs that remain untreated can lead to a number of negative consequences, including spreading them on to other people, problems with having children in the future, pain and soreness in the genital areas, and for some, possible death. Since so many STDs may not show side effects or symptoms, it is important to get regular check ups if you are sexually active, and pay attention to your own and your partner’s bodies to make sure that you can recognize symptoms if they develop. Also, remember, if you are diagnosed with an STD, it is important for you to talk to your partner about that STD and tell them that they also need to get tested and treated. If not, and you keep having sex with them, you WILL likely get that same disease back again…or another one that was unexpected!

HIV

Statistics

HIV/AIDS is spreading faster among people under the age of 25 than any age group. This means that young men and women that are in junior and senior high school or just going off to college are the fastest at risk group to be infected. A single act of risky behavior with an infected person can change a person’s life dramatically in just mere seconds.

HIV/AIDS - What’s the Difference?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus and this virus causes AIDS. People can be infected many years before they develop signs or symptoms, then it slowly breaks down the immune system. The rate at which it infects our immune system depends on the individual. People can be infected and not know it.

Now, AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is somewhat different. It breaks down a part of the body’s immune system, leaving a person susceptible to several different types of illnesses called opportunistic infections. These infections or certain types of pneumonias and KS, short for Karposi Sarcoma. These are infections that people come in contact with everyday, but a healthy immune system fights them off without a problem. Different people may get different infections.

HIV Transmission

Now that we’ve talked about HIV and AIDS, let’s talk about how it’s transmitted. Some fluids that transmit HIV are blood, semen, or pre-ejaculation, breast milk, and vaginal secretions. HIV has to have an opening or a portal to enter in the bloodstream. These openings can be your nose, mouth, your eyes or any open sore or cuts in your mouth. HIV lives in these body fluids. People become infected with HIV by taking in blood, semen, or vaginal fluid of someone infected. This is done through…

• Unprotected sexual intercourse whether it is oral, anal, or vaginal.
• Sharing needles for drug use, steroids, tattooing, or body piercing.  When you inject yourself, a small amount of blood remains on the syringe, and that small amount can be transmitted and lead to infection. Although you may not see blood, that doesn’t mean it is not present.
• Infected mothers to children through pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. A pregnant woman with HIV has a chance of passing the virus on to her fetus or newborn child. Today, there are medications that can help the fetus from the infection, but the risk of transmission still remains.

Some people have been infected through blood transfusions. Now, there are far better screening processes done and it is rare to become infected through blood transfusions in the United States. Now, that you know the way one can be infected, here are some ways you can’t: Kissing (saliva doesn’t have enough traces of HIV to transmit) Toilet seating (virus can’t live outside of the body) Mosquito bites (enzymes in mosquito bites) Sweating (virus can’t live in salt) Touching

Now, that you know the way one can be infected, here are some ways you can’t:

• Kissing (saliva doesn’t have enough traces of HIV to transmit)
• Toilet seating (virus can’t live outside of the body)
• Mosquito bites (enzymes in mosquito bites)
• Sweating (virus can’t live in salt)
• Touching

HIV Prevention

The most effective way to protect you against HIV is to abstain from risky behaviors. Which include unprotected sex (oral, anal, vaginal) and needle usage. If you decide to have sex make sure that you go and get tested with your partner and use condoms correctly, and consistently. Also never use the condom twice.

How do I avoid getting HIV?

The best ways to protect yourself from getting infected with HIV are to:

• Not have sex with a person who is infected or is having sex with others.
• Practice “safer” sex if you do have sex.
• Not share needles and syringes.

My Body

Of we know a young man’s and a young woman’s anatomy can differ! Duh…But do we know the particulars…Check it out…

The Male Body

• The basic male anatomy can be viewed to the right.
• The physiological “change” occurs for males at various ages. The average age range is for puberty to begin is 10 to 18 years old.
• The physiological “change” occurs for males at various ages. The average age range is for puberty to begin is 10 to 18 years old.
• Once a male reaches puberty he is capable of producing sperm, which can develop into a child.
• Further information on the male anatomy can be provided at Inner Body.

The Female Body

• The basic female anatomy can be viewed to the right.
• The physiological “change” occurs for females at various ages. The average age range is 8 to 17 years old.
• The physiological “change” occurs for females at various ages. The average age range is 8 to 17 years old.
• Once a female has her first menstrual cycle (called menarche) she is then capable of reproducing until she reaches menopause as an older female.
• Once a female has her first menstrual cycle (called menarche) she is then capable of reproducing until she reaches menopause as an older female.
• Further information on the female anatomy can be provided at Inner Body.

Pregnancy

If you are an female engaging in sexual activity with a male there is a chance that you are pregnant. In order to become pregnant, sperm from a male must fertilize an egg from a female. This may happen during sexual intercourse.

The early common signs of pregnancy are:

• a missed period
• vomitting or nausea
• frequent urination
• tenderness and fullness of breasts
• fatigue
• changes in appetite

Later signs of pregnancy are:

• enlarged abdomen
• weight gain or loss
• backaches or headaches
• fetal movements
• food cravings

The most common way to tell if a female is pregnant is to seek medical diagnosis and take a pregnancy test. If you are concerned about pregnancy, here are a list of resources:

• G-PAC (Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention)
• 1-800-395-HELP
• 1-800-230-PLAN
• Planned Parenthood

Testing

Anonymous versus Confidential Testing

Anonymous Testing means that you do not have to give your name or information linked to your identification (i.e. social security number, driver license number, etc). Instead you will receive a unique identification number during your counseling and testing session. Confidential Testing means that you give your name, your social security number and/or your date of birth at the time of the session. Please remember at different health clinics testing that are advertised as anonymous may become confidential if you test positive therefore please be sure to ask.

HIV Testing

There is not one standard test that will test for all STDs/STIs. Instead a panel of tests may be given. Please remember that some STIs are hard to test for if you do not have any symptoms. STIs can be tested through blood work, urine tests, or saliva tests. Other STIs can only be tested by culturing a sample of body fluid from the penis, vagina, rectum, or open sore. If you go in for testing, it is important to talk with the medical provider about your symptoms and which STIs you are at risk for to determine which tests you should receive.

HIV Testing in Metro Atlanta, GA:

• Please visit: AID Atlanta
• Grady Health System for Teens

STD Testing in Metro Atlanta, GA:

• AID Atlanta Testing Information
• Grady Health System for Teens

Resources:

• Teen Health