The term sexually transmitted disease is an all encompassing category for approximately 30 infectious organisms that can be spread person to person by a variety of sexual activities.
Currently, most people who have an STD are unaware that they are infected because they have no symptoms. But without treatment, diseases can spread causing infertility, permanent brain damage, heart disease, cancer or even death.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- 110 million Americans have an STD
- 20 million Americans develop an STD each year
- Costs $16 billion each year to treat those
- Of those 20 million, half are ages 15-24 develop an STD each year
- Half of all sexually active Americans will get an STD by age 25
The only way to know if you have an STD is to be tested. Here are some specific recommendations about testing:
- Everyone should get at least one HIV test.
- All sexually active women aged 25 and under, along with older women who have risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners, should be screened annually for chlamydia.
- At-risk sexually active women should be screened annually for gonorrhea.
- Pregnant women should be screened for syphilis, HIV, chlamydia and hepatitis B, while at-risk pregnant women should be screened for gonorrhea during their first prenatal visit.
- All HIV-infected women should be screened yearly for trichomoniasis.
- All sexually active gay and bisexual men should be screened at least once a year for syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV. Those who have multiple or anonymous partners should be screened more frequently for STDs (preferably three- to six-month intervals). In addition, those who also use illegal drugs, particularly methamphetamine, or whose partners use drugs should be screened more frequently.
If you feel that you would like to be tested and need to find a clinic in your area, contact the National STD hotline at 1-800-232-4636.
For more information about STDs, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Please share with a friend or family member who you feel might need to know this information.
Sources
http://www.cdc.gov/std/general/default.htm
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