STDs

Having sex is a big responsibility. The more you know about STDs, how to get condoms, and testing, the better you can protect yourself. Teens in Philadelphia are three to five times more likely to have an STD (sexually transmitted disease) than in other parts of the U.S.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease caused by germs called bacteria. It is the most common STD in Philly. If you have chlamydia, you may not even know it. That’s why it is so important to get tested. If you test positive for chlamydia, it can be cured with the right antibiotics. It is important to remember though that you can get chlamydia more than one time. That’s why it’s important to use condoms and talk to your partner(s) about STD testing.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by germs called bacteria. If you have gonorrhea, you may not even know it. That’s why it is so important to get tested. If you test positive for gonorrhea, it can be cured with the right antibiotics. It is important to remember that you can get gonorrhea more than one time. So it’s important to use condoms and talk to your partner(s) about STD testing.

Herpes

Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a virus and is passed from person to person through skin-to-skin contact during oral, anal, and/or vaginal sex. There are two types of herpes. One type causes fever blisters and cold sores on the mouth. Since many people are having oral sex (mouth to vagina, mouth to butt hole, or mouth to penis), this type can show up around your genitals. The second type causes sores on the vagina, penis, butt hole, as well as the skin around those areas.

Herpes is usually not life-threatening, but the sores can affect your sex life. They can cause pain and discomfort and sometimes make it easier to spread or get HIV. A person with a herpes sore is three to five times more likely to get infected with HIV. Also, people with HIV and herpes with an open sore are more likely to spread both viruses to someone during unprotected sex.

Women who are pregnant and have herpes sores near the time they have their baby risk spreading the virus to their baby. This can be dangerous and have lifelong effects on the baby.

HIV

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus, and it’s passed from person to person, male or female, by the exchange of four specific bodily fluids: semen, blood, vaginal fluid, and breast milk. HIV attacks the fighter cells in our bodies, called white blood cells, and makes it harder for a person to fight off infection. HIV can lead to AIDS, but having HIV does not mean you have AIDS. AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and has to do with how well your body can fight off everyday infections by itself. When someone does not have enough strong “fighter” cells and/or gets a very specific infection, they will be told they have AIDS. Once a person has AIDS, they can get very sick and die from other diseases and cancers that do not usually infect most people. There is no cure for HIV/AIDS, but there are safe and effective medications you can take to stay healthy.

HPV

HPV is a sexually transmitted disease that is caused by the human papillomavirus (pap-ill-o-ma-vi-rus). HPV is very common. In fact, people who have had unprotected sex with more than two partners in their lifetime probably have it. There are many different types of HPV, and the body usually clears these infections without treatment. However, there are a few types of HPV that are more serious and may cause cancer or genital warts.

Pubic Lice

Pubic lice are tiny insects that attach themselves to the skin and hair in the pubic area. They are also known as “crabs.” They are usually found in the genital area or pubic hair but can be found in armpit hair, mustache or beard, or in eyebrows or eyelashes. You may have heard about lice found in the hair on your head. Those are a different type of lice, not pubic lice.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria. Usually it is transmitted through contact with open sores during sex, but you may not notice your sores or your those on your partner. If left untreated, syphilis can cause more serious health outcomes. As with other STDs, you may not know you have syphilis unless you get tested.

Trichomoniasis

Trich is caused by a parasite. Symptoms can be different for guys and girls, and most people don’t even know they’re infected.

Vaginitis

The cause of bacterial vaginosis (BV) is not well known, but the infection occurs more often in women who are sexually active. It is when the balance of “good” bacteria and “harmful” bacteria is thrown off.