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Lifestyle choices are enormously important to current and future health. An important example of how behaviors can affect your life is the fact each year six million women contract sexually transmitted diseases.
Statistics show one in 800 women in the United States is infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes (AIDS). Once considered a disease of homosexual men and IV drug users, Acquired Immune Deficiency (AIDs) is now recognized as a universal health concern. As a matter of fact, the largest increases in HIV infections are seen in the heterosexual community.
The most effective measure you can take to protect yourself against sexually transmitted diseases is to abstain from sex.
Other steps you should consider include:
- Limiting the number of sex partners you have.
- Avoiding drug and alcohol use.
- Staying fit by eating, exercising, getting plenty of rest and having regular physical exams.
Learn more about the most common sexually transmitted diseases.
Gonorrhea
Chlamydia
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Syphilis
Herpes
Genital Warts
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Gonorrhea, the most often reported sexually transmitted disease, can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, heart problems, central nervous system disorders, sterility and crippling arthritis if left untreated. Eighty percent of women with gonorrhea have no symptoms. When symptoms are present they may include frequent, often painful, urination; pelvic pain; green or yellow-green vaginal discharge; swelling or tenderness of the vulva or arthritic pain. The condition is treated with antibiotics.
Chlamydia affects the cervix and can spread to the urethra, fallopian tubes and ovaries. It can cause urinary tract infections, serious pelvic inflammatory disease and can result in sterility. In 75 percent of the cases, there are no symptoms. When symptoms exist, they may include burning while urinating, frequent urination, painful intercourse, abdominal pain, nausea, or excessive vaginal bleeding. Treatment includes antibiotics taken consistently as prescribed.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is not always the result of a sexually transmitted disease, but is often caused by untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea. Symptoms include pain in the lower abdomen, pain during intercourse, spotting and pain between menstrual periods or during urination, unusually long or painful periods, unusual vaginal discharge, fever, nausea, vomiting or chills. It can lead to sterility. Treatment includes antibiotics and other care, including surgery in some cases.
Syphilis is passed on during intercourse, kissing and oral/genital contact. During the late stages of syphilis, the heart, brain, nervous system and other organs can be seriously damaged. Symptoms depend on the phase of infection. Initial symptoms most often include sores on the genitals, in the vagina, on the cervix lips, mouth or anus; headaches; nausea; constipation; fever and rashes. During the latent phase of the disease, which can last a lifetime, there are no symptoms. The disease is passed on by exposure to the sores. It can be spread from a pregnant woman to fetus. The disease can be treated with antibiotics.
Herpes has two forms: Herpes-1, associated with cold sores and fever blisters, and Herpes-2, genital infection. Both are spread by sexual intimacy, including kissing and exposure to herpes lesions, which are the most common symptom of genital herpes. Other symptoms may include pain and discomfort around the infected area, itching, burning sensations during urination, fever, headache and general run-down feeling. There is no cure for herpes. Your doctor can prescribe medication to ease discomfort and pain, as well as advise you on how to take care of yourself and keep from spreading the disease to others.
Genital Warts are caused by genital human papilloma virus. The warts most commonly grow on the genitals, urethra and in the anus. Some strains can lead to cancer of the cervix or vulva. Pap tests may reveal pre-cancerous conditions caused by genital HPV, allowing for early treatment and prevention of cervical cancer. Treatment for genital warts includes medication, surgery, acid, freezing or laser therapy.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection weakens the body's ability to fight disease and can cause acquired immune deficiency syndrome, AIDS-related complex and other health problems. When developed, there may be many symptoms including rapid, unexplained weight loss, persistent fevers, diarrhea, night sweats, dry cough or hard, purplish growths on the skin. HIV is commonly spread in blood, semen and vaginal fluids by intercourse, and by sharing contaminated needles. There is no cure for HIV infection.
CDC National AIDS Hotline
(800) 342-2437 (English)
(800) 344-7432 (Spanish)
(800) 243-7889 (TTY for hearing impaired)
CDC National STD Hotline
(800) 227-8922
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