The Most Common STDs

STD

Symptoms

Damage

Numbers

Chlamydia

Men – Usually none. Some experience discharge from the penis and burning with urination.– Usually none. Some experience pain and/or vaginal discharge.

Men – Sterility.

Women – Considered to be the most common cause of sterility. Advanced stage may require removal of uterus, tubes and ovaries. 

1. 3 million new cases estimated annually

2. 75% are not aware they are infected

3. 40% of those sexually active are suspected carriers.

Gonorrhea

Men – Pus from urethra. Burning upon urination.

Women – Pelvic pain. Painful urination and pus-like discharge.

Men – sterility. Scarring of the urethra and urinary tract problems.

Women – Sterility. Surgery in severe cases.

1. 650,000 new cases estimated annually.

2. 80% are not aware they are infected in the early stages.

STD

Symptoms

Damage

Numbers

Syphilis

Men – 1^st stage: swollen non-painful ulcers on external genitalia. 2^nd stage: changes of skin, fever enlarged lymph nodes.

Women – 1^st stage: often unnoticed. 2^nd stage: same as men.

Men – Brain disorders, heart disease, blindness, dementia and death.

Women – Same as men. Can cause birth defects or death in newborns if mother is infected.

1. 70,000 new cases reported annually.

2. 50% are not aware they have this disease.

HIV/AIDS

Men – Fever, sore throat, fatigue, swollen lymph glands.

Women – Same as men.

Men – Immune system breakdown, death.

Women – Same as men

1. 6^th leading cause of death among persons 15-24 years.

2. 20% infected during teen years.

Genital Herpes

Men – Lesions appear at the site of infection – periodic eruptions of painful blister and ulcers anywhere on the body.

Women – Same as men.

Men - Continuous outbreaks. Eventually may lead to hospitalization. Lifetime medication required.

Women – Same as men. Causes infant death.

1. 45 million infected.

2. 1 million new cases annually.

3. 75% show no symptoms.

4. 25% of women have this disease.

HPV (Human Papilloma-Virus)

Men – Wart-like genital growths.

Women – Often no visible symptoms. Some experience vulvar burning, itching and pain.

Men – Cancer of the penis and anus.

Women – Initially pre-malignant changes difficult to eradicate. Develops into cancer if not treated.

1. 20 million people are thought to be carriers.

2. 100 different strains exist.

3. 75% of reproductive population is infected with this virus.

PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease)

Men – This disease affects only women

Women – See Chlamydia & Gonorrhea. Often symptoms are minor and mistaken for menstrual cramps.

Men – This disease affects only women.

Women – Ectopic Pregnancy (fertilized egg implants in the fallopian tubes instead of uterus). Sterility and cancer common.

1. 261,000 new cases annually; most in the 15-19 year age group.

2. 100,000 women become infertile as a result of PID each year.