What is an std?
S.T.D. stands for "sexually transmitted disease". They can also be referred to as S.T.I.'s which stands for "sexually transmitted infections".
STDs are specific types of infections that can be passed from one person to another via sexual contact.
STDs are specific types of infections that can be passed from one person to another via sexual contact.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF STD'S?
We know of over 30 significant STDs. There are three common types: (Parasitic, Bacterial, & Viral)*
Parasitic:
Parasitic STIs are caused by tiny parasitic organisms living off of the genital area. Trichomoniasis and pubic lice are some common parasitic STIs.
Trichomoniasis is caused by a single-celled protozoa that lives off the genital area in men and women. It can be spread by sexual contact between people of the same sex and opposite sex. It is curable with medication and the infected person might have the following symptoms: painful irritation and itching of the genital area, genital discharge, painful urination.
Pubic lice are tiny six-legged mites that live on the pubic hair and feed off their host's blood. They are sometimes referred to as "crabs" because of their similar appearance(under a microscope). These tiny creatures can be spread through skin to skin contact of the genital area and condoms don't prevent the spread of pubic lice. An infected person can expect to experience severe itching of the pubic area, which can be cured with prescription lotions and shampoos.
Viral:
Most of the common viral STDs begin with the letter "H" (HPV, Herpes II, HIV, Hepatitus B). Unfortunately we don't have cures for viral infections, so a person infected with a viral STD may be stuck with it for life. Their may, however, be medications available to treat the symptoms of the infection.
HPV "HPV", which stands for the human papillomavirus, is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States. It can be spread by skin to skin contact of the genital area and condoms don't protect against the contraction of HPV. There are many strains of this virus, but only a few are harmful to humans. There is currently no test someone can take to find out if they have HPV and a person may have no outward signs of the infection. 79 million Americans are currently affected with HPV.
HPV can cause genital warts(360,000 people get these each year), cervical cancer(more than 11,000 women get this each year), and various other cancers including throat cancer.
Herpes II is a virus that infects 1/6 Americans (age 14-49). It can be spread through skin to skin contact of the genital area and condoms don't protect against the contraction of herpes II. Most people are unaware that they have herpes II because no symptoms may be present. The outward symptoms may include painful blisters or sores on the genital and other infected areas. A doctor can diagnose someone with herpes II and prescribe medication to help reduce the outbreak of the sores.
Bacterial:
These type of infections may be spread through skin-skin contact of the genital area. The common bacterial STIs include Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis.
Chlamydia is treatable if found early. However, sometimes a person may not have visible symptoms of the infection. The symptoms may include abnormal discharge, or painful urination. Women who do not get treatment for Chlamydia may develop Pelvic Inflammatory Disease which can cause infertility(the person is unable to have children). Condoms don't fully protect against transmission of Chlamydia.
Gonorrhea is treatable if found early. However, most people don't display visible symptoms of the infections. The symptoms may include abnormal discharge, or painful urination. Women who do not get treatment for Gonorrhea may develop Pelvic Inflammatory Disease which can cause infertility(the person is unable to have children). Condoms don't fully protect against transmission of Gonorrhea.
Syphilis is treatable if found early. Some persons may have sores on the mouth or genital area, which can spread the infection if contacted. Syphilis is often mistaken for other infections because of the nature of the symptoms. If the infection is left untreated for a long period of time it can damage blood vessels, internal organs, nerves, eyes, heart, liver, bones, and joints. The damage can include difficulty coordinating muscle movements, paralysis, numbness, gradual blindness, and dementia. This damage may be serious enough to cause death. Condoms don't fully protect against the transmission Syphilis.
*Information cited from http://www.cdc.gov/std/
Parasitic:
Parasitic STIs are caused by tiny parasitic organisms living off of the genital area. Trichomoniasis and pubic lice are some common parasitic STIs.
Trichomoniasis is caused by a single-celled protozoa that lives off the genital area in men and women. It can be spread by sexual contact between people of the same sex and opposite sex. It is curable with medication and the infected person might have the following symptoms: painful irritation and itching of the genital area, genital discharge, painful urination.
Pubic lice are tiny six-legged mites that live on the pubic hair and feed off their host's blood. They are sometimes referred to as "crabs" because of their similar appearance(under a microscope). These tiny creatures can be spread through skin to skin contact of the genital area and condoms don't prevent the spread of pubic lice. An infected person can expect to experience severe itching of the pubic area, which can be cured with prescription lotions and shampoos.
Viral:
Most of the common viral STDs begin with the letter "H" (HPV, Herpes II, HIV, Hepatitus B). Unfortunately we don't have cures for viral infections, so a person infected with a viral STD may be stuck with it for life. Their may, however, be medications available to treat the symptoms of the infection.
HPV "HPV", which stands for the human papillomavirus, is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States. It can be spread by skin to skin contact of the genital area and condoms don't protect against the contraction of HPV. There are many strains of this virus, but only a few are harmful to humans. There is currently no test someone can take to find out if they have HPV and a person may have no outward signs of the infection. 79 million Americans are currently affected with HPV.
HPV can cause genital warts(360,000 people get these each year), cervical cancer(more than 11,000 women get this each year), and various other cancers including throat cancer.
Herpes II is a virus that infects 1/6 Americans (age 14-49). It can be spread through skin to skin contact of the genital area and condoms don't protect against the contraction of herpes II. Most people are unaware that they have herpes II because no symptoms may be present. The outward symptoms may include painful blisters or sores on the genital and other infected areas. A doctor can diagnose someone with herpes II and prescribe medication to help reduce the outbreak of the sores.
Bacterial:
These type of infections may be spread through skin-skin contact of the genital area. The common bacterial STIs include Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis.
Chlamydia is treatable if found early. However, sometimes a person may not have visible symptoms of the infection. The symptoms may include abnormal discharge, or painful urination. Women who do not get treatment for Chlamydia may develop Pelvic Inflammatory Disease which can cause infertility(the person is unable to have children). Condoms don't fully protect against transmission of Chlamydia.
Gonorrhea is treatable if found early. However, most people don't display visible symptoms of the infections. The symptoms may include abnormal discharge, or painful urination. Women who do not get treatment for Gonorrhea may develop Pelvic Inflammatory Disease which can cause infertility(the person is unable to have children). Condoms don't fully protect against transmission of Gonorrhea.
Syphilis is treatable if found early. Some persons may have sores on the mouth or genital area, which can spread the infection if contacted. Syphilis is often mistaken for other infections because of the nature of the symptoms. If the infection is left untreated for a long period of time it can damage blood vessels, internal organs, nerves, eyes, heart, liver, bones, and joints. The damage can include difficulty coordinating muscle movements, paralysis, numbness, gradual blindness, and dementia. This damage may be serious enough to cause death. Condoms don't fully protect against the transmission Syphilis.
*Information cited from http://www.cdc.gov/std/
Can I get an STD from a toilet seat?
According to health experts and the Center for Disease Control, it is very unlikely to get an STD from sitting on a toilet seat. The toilet seat is not a suitable environment for most STD's to live. STD's thrive on and in the body.
So sit back, relax, and continue to read your copy of Plunging Pornography: A Catholic Bathroom Book.
So sit back, relax, and continue to read your copy of Plunging Pornography: A Catholic Bathroom Book.
