This is unfortunately false. Although infection with any STD can cause
symptoms such as an abnormal discharge, genital lesions or pelvic pain all
of the STDs can exist without symptoms. STDs can be transmitted to sexual
partners in the absence of any symptoms. For example 80% of women with
chlamydia do not have any symptoms, 90% of people with genital herpes are
not aware they are infected but over 50% of these people will continue to
shed the virus with the ability to infect other sexual partners.
True. Some STDs are merely annoying causing some discomfort but with no
real implications for overall health. However STDs can lead to infertility,
cervical cancer, recurrent and painful genital lesions, severe pelvic
infections and even death.
Infections with either chlamydia or gonorrhea are linked to infertility.
Chlamydia infection is more common than gonorrhea but more insidious as it
is more likely to exist without symptoms. These bacteria can ascend from the
cervix to the uterus and fallopian tubes resulting in a serious infection
called pelvic inflammatory disease. This can be accompanied by severe pain
and fevers that prompt a visit to the doctor. It is treated with powerful
antibiotics and may require hospitalization. However chlamydia can cause
damage to the fallopian tubes even in the absence of an obvious infection
such as pelvic inflammatory disease. It is very important that all sexually
active young women as well as older women with a new or multiple partners be
screened annually for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Human papilloma virus. There are many types of HPV some of which cause
genital warts and some that have been linked to the development of cervical
cancer. Almost 50% of sexually active women (and presumably their male
partners) are infected with HPV; many times the immune system will get rid
of the virus without any medical intervention. However in some women
infected with so-called "high risk" types of HPV their cervix will
develop precancerous changes and ultimately cervical cancer if the
precancerous lesions are not detected and treated. A yearly PAP smear is the
best way to detect these lesions.
If you answered AIDS you are partly correct, but hepatitis (infection of
the liver) can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure and death.
Hepatitis B virus and to a lesser degree Hepatitis C virus are both
transmitted sexually and cause infections of the liver. These may be
symptomatic infections with nausea, pain, vomiting and jaundice, or may
cause liver damage with no symptoms at all. Fortunately a vaccine against
hepatitis B is available and recommended for all newborns and adolescents,
and for adults who are at risk. There is no vaccine against hepatitis C.
False. Condoms will reduce the risk of acquiring the AIDS virus by 87% if
used correctly and consistently. However many couples use them only some of
the time or incorrectly. Condoms also break about 2-4% of the time. They do
provide protection against acquiring chlamydia and gonorrhea but are not as
effective in preventing transmission of HPV or the herpes virus. Adolescent
females because of their immature reproductive tract are at greater risk of
acquiring certain STD’s than adult women. Some adolescents are not aware
that all forms of sexual contact, not just intercourse can result in
infection with STDs. Delaying the onset of sexual activity, minimizing the
number of partners along with consistent use of condoms all need to be
practiced to decrease the chances of acquiring an STD.
All sexually active women 25 years or younger should be screened yearly
for Chlamydia, older women with multiple partners and pregnant women should
also be screened. PAP smears should be obtained on a yearly basis after the
age of 18 or when an adolescent becomes sexually active. Screening for other
STDs should be discussed with your physician.