Sexually Transmitted Diseases and HIVAIDS What You Should

Sexually Transmitted Diseases and HIV/AIDS

What You Should Know About STD’S • Sexually transmitted diseases – (STD) – disease spread from person to person through body fluids

Common STD’s • Most spread only through sexual contact • May not have any visible symptoms or may have symptoms come and go • Having an STD does not make you immune in the future • Thee are no vaccines available against STD’s • STD’s can make a person sterile or infertile • STD’s can be prevented by avoiding sexual activity

Chlamydia • 50% that have disease do not know it • May include genital discharge and burning during urination • Can cause pelvic pain, infertility, and infections • Antibiotics can cure Chlamydia

Gonorrhea • Caused by bacteria • Thick yellowish discharge and burning during urination • If not treated can lead to infertility to men and women • Can be spread through sexual contact • Can be treated with antibiotics

Genital Herpes • Caused by virus that causes painful blisters • 30 million Americans have this disease • Signs of herpes may go away disease has no cure and often reoccur • Passed through sexual contact

Syphillis • Caused by bacteria • Symptoms vary as disease progresses • Early symptoms may be painless sore where disease enters body • Untreated syphilis may spread to central nervous system • Can cause heart disease, insanity and death • If caught early it can be cured by anti-biotics

HIV/AIDS • How HIV/AIDS attacks the body • See page 353 in book

How HIV is Spread • Through transfer of body fluids • Sexual contact – transfer of semen • Using contaminated needle – passed because of tiny amount of blood in needle • Getting blood from infected person – All donated blood screened for HIV • Passing it from infected mother to fetus – 1/3 of HIV mothers transmit to fetus, most die within 3 years

How HIV/AIDS Not Spread • Through air, by coughing, sneezing • Casual contact – Hand shake or hug • By using same sports equipment, clothes, towels, comb or furniture • By using telephones, shower bathtub or toilet • Sharing eating utensils dishes • Bites of mosquitoes, ticks or other insects • Donating blood

The Continuing Battle Against AIDS • Drug Therapy – Combination of powerful drugs • Have serious side effects • Very expensive, not everyone can afford drugs • No cure, drugs are prolonging life

The Continuing Battle Against AIDS • Vaccine Research – Scientist working for a vaccine for hiv/aids but is probably many years away

The Continuing Battle Against AIDS • AIDS Education – Educating people about aids is crucial • Teach how HIV is spread and can be prevented from being spread

Abstinence Before Marriage • Only sure way to protect yourself is through sexual abstinence • Sex is the wrong choice for teens

Abstinence Before Marriage • You will avoid the risk of unplanned pregnancy • You will avoid the risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease • You will be respecting the wishes of your parents • You will focus on and committed to longterm goals such as education, career, and family