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March 2001

STD Awareness Month:

Four Facts That Can Help Protect You

Even with all the information out there about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), an estimated 4 million teens are infected with STDs each year. And since many STDs have no glaring symptoms, it's more important than ever to know your STD basics. Protecting yourself means more than just having a good hunch about your partner's history; to make smart decisions about safer sex, you need to know the facts.

HOW TO LOWER YOUR RISK: HIV AND OTHER STDS

Here's a scary fact: having almost any STD increases your risk of contracting HIV, the deadly virus that causes AIDS. That means that getting an STD, even one that does no irreversible health damage, can put you in a whole new category of danger. Which is why, if you're going to be sexually active, it's so majorly, hugely important to use condoms for every sexual encounter. Aside from practicing abstinence, condoms are the only effective way to diminish your risk of contracting most STDs.

HOW TO TELL IF SOMEONE HAS AN STD

Unfortunately, you can't tell by just looking -- no way, no how. That's because most STDs (chlamydia, for example) have no visible symptoms. So don't expect people who are infected to be strolling around with warning labels on their foreheads. And bear in mind that looking clean, healthy, or trustworthy is not necessarily the same as being STD-free. Forget all of your assumptions about "the kind of person" who carries an STD; the fact is, the only way to know for sure whether you have one is to get tested regularly.

P.S. Usually routine check-ups-even gynecological exams-don't include STD screening. In order to get tested, you have to ask your doctor specifically.

HOW TO READ YOUR BODY'S WARNING SIGNS

Many STDs can be hard to detect in someone else (or even in yourself), and that's why you need to see a health care provider and get tested. But there are some useful physical clues to pay attention to, clues that may mean you've contracted one. Here's a list of common symptoms to keep in mind and check for regularly:

Burning during urination

Very dark urine

Pain during intercourse

Thick and/or smelly discharge from the vagina, penis or anus

Bumps, sores, or general itchiness in the genital area

Pain or tenderness in the pelvic area

WHAT TO DO IF YOU'RE WORRIED

If any of those symptoms sound familiar, or if they do in the future, the first thing to do is see your health care provider immediately. Because STDs can have serious consequences (including infertility and death), you need to get medical attention as quickly as possible. STDs can be treated in a whole range of ways depending on the kind of infection, from prescription antibiotics (syphilis and gonorrhea) to surgery (HPV). Viral STDs (HIV, HPV, genital herpes) can't be cured, but their symptoms can be managed with drugs.

If you're scared that you have an STD but feel embarrassed about seeing your family doctor, don't let that stop you from getting help. You can call the Planned Parenthood Hotline (1-800-230-PLAN) for a referral to a confidential, low-cost clinic. Or try the National STD Hotline (1-800-227-8922), the National HIV and AIDS Hotline (1-800-342-AIDS), the National HPV and Cervical Cancer Prevention Hotline (1-800-HPV-5868), or the National Herpes Hotline (1-919-361-8488).