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The following diseases are highly contagious. You should ALWAYS protect yourself with condoms. Condoms should be used, but they are no guarantee of protection against venereal disease.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STD's) are diseases that are passed from one person to another during sexual intercourse. STD's may also be passed by any other intimate contact with the sex organs. The two most common types of STD's are gonorrhea and syphilis. **NOTE - Doctors in many countries are calling cervical dysplasia (the formation of abnormal tissue in the cervix, a precancerous condition of the cervix), the newest sexually transmitted epidemic. It is believed that it is caused by the same virus (human papilloma virus) that causes venereal warts.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) there are over 15 million cases of sexually transmitted disease cases reported annually. The age group at the greatest risk for acquiring an STD is adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 - 24 with 3 million becoming infected each year. Most STDs are treatable although at one time gonorrhea was easily cured yet has now become resistant to many of the older traditional antibiotics. And other STDs, such as AIDS, genital warts (HPV) and herpes, all of which are caused by viruses, have no cure. Some of these infections are asymptomatic, some are extremely uncomfortable and others are just down-right deadly! AIDS, genital warts, hepatitis, herpes, syphilis, and even gonorrhea have all been known to cause death. Many, if not all STDs can lead to complications in pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), cervical cancer and cervical dysplasia. **IMPORTANT - Sexual contact includes more than just intercourse. Sexual contact also includes kissing, oral-genital contact, and the use of sexual aids or "toys," such as vibrators. To tell you the truth - there is no such thing as "safe sex," EXCEPT "abstinence" or in a "completely monogamous relationship" where neither party is infected with an STD. Contrary to popular belief, where most people think that kissing is a safe activity, unfortunately it is not because herpes, syphilis and other diseases can be contracted through this apparent harmless act of intimacy. Naturally, all other forms of sexual contact also carry risk. When worn correctly, one condom is adequate (88%-98% effective) for pregnancy prevention and for protection against some STDs such as HIV/AIDS. However, they are less effective protecting against herpes, trichomoniasis, and chlamydia. Condoms provide little protection against HPV, the cause of genital warts.DISCLAIMER **This web site's goal is to provide you with information that may be useful in attaining optimal health. Nothing in it is meant as a prescription or as medical advice. You should check with your physician before implementing any changes in your exercise or lifestyle habits, especially if you have physical problems or are taking medications of any kind. |
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| Copyright 1999-2024: Dr. Loretta J. Standley - All Rights Reserved. |