SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (STDS)

"In the United States, more than 65 million people are currently living with an incurable STD. An additional 15 million people become infected each year." -Center for Disease Control

History of STDs
Pre 1960's: Syphilis and Gonorrhea were the only major STDs
1976: Chlamydia first recognized
1981: AIDS identified
1982: Herpes became very prevalent
1992: PID or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease recognized
1996: HPV or Human Papilloma Virus recognized as the cause of 90% of all cervical cancer, and is the reason for yearly PAP smears.
1980-present: 8 NEW diseases identified including HIV

* It is important to note that this is not just a case of medical science diagnosing what has existed all along. These are NEW diseases, caused by sexual activity with multiple partners. Viruses continue to mutate and multiply, all the while becoming more resistant to treatment.

Statistics
1 in 5 Americans has been infected with an STD (American Social Health Association).

The fastest growing population contracting AIDS is women. In 1985, 7% of AIDS cases reported were women. That percentage increased to 14% in 1992, and to 23% in 1999 (AIDS.ORG).

Sexually active adolescent girls have the highest risk of cervical infections because the ectropion, or delicate tissue that surrounds a young woman's cervix, is not fully formed until she is 18 years old. It is, therefore, very vulnerable to blood borne infections (Alan Gutmacher Institute, 1994).

Approximately 2/3 of all people who acquire STDs are under 25 (American Social Health Association).

PID or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is the most rapidly increasing cause of infertility in the United States. Researchers have estimated that a sexually active 15-year-old has a 1 in 8 chance of developing PID. By the age of 24, the probability decreases to 1 in 80 (The Medical Institute).

There are presently more than 25 significant STDs (Center for Disease Control).

In the United States, more than 65 million people are currently living with an incurable STD. An additional 15 million people become infected each year (ibid).

In 1999, reports indicated that strains of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) were present in 99% of samples tested for cervical cancer. It is estimated that 75% of sexually active Americans are or have previously been infected with HPV (The Medical Institute).

While almost all STDs can be treated to relieve pain or minimize symptoms, there is no cure for viral STDs, including Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and Herpes (ibid).

Prevention
Abstaining from sex is the only way to be 100 percent confident of avoiding STD infection. Prevention through avoiding exposure is the best strategy for controlling the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Proper use of condoms with each act of sexual intercourse can reduce, but not eliminate, risk of STDs. (Center for Disease Control and Prevention)