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Sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) are among the most common infectious diseases, with the U.S. having the highest rate of STDs in the industrialized world. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports one in fur sexually-active adolescents will have been infected with an STD by age 21.
Common types of STDs include: AIDS, chlamydial infections, genital herpes, genital warts, Human Papillomaviruses (HPVs), gonorrhea and syphilis.
Protection from STDs:
- For young adults, abstinence from sexual activity is
the best protection.
- For adults, have a mutually monogamous sexual
relationship with an uninfected partner.
- Males should consistently use a condom.
- Have regular check-ups for STDs.
- Avoid sexual intercourse during menstruation.
- STDs do not respect men or women of any race,
ethnicity or economic background.
- Many STDs initially cause no symptoms, or may mimic
other non sexually-transmitted diseases.
- STDs in women can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease,
tubal pregnancy, infertility or cervical cancer.
- If you feel you’ve been exposed to a sexually-transmitted disease, see your family physician. When diagnosed early, many STDs in men and women can be successfully treated.
Symptom information on the above STDs can clicking on these links:
HIV/AIDS: www.emedicinehealth.com/articles/15476-3.asp
Chlamydial infections: www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/STDFact-Chlamydia.htm
Genital herpes: www.cdc.gov/std/Herpes/STDFact-Herpes.htm
Human Papillomaviruses or genital warts: www.cdc.gov/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm
Gonorrhea: www.emedicinehealth.com/articles/17356-3.asp
Syphilis: www.emedicinehealth.com/articles/17555-3.asp
Source: Centers for Disease Control
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