Sexually transmitted infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases that are transmitted from one person to another during sexual intercourse no matter whether it is vaginal, anal or oral.

Who can get an STI?

Everyone. And you can have a disease without knowing it.  Many STIs do not cause visible symptoms or discomfort in the infected person until months or years later.  The only thing that puts you at risk of acquiring an  STI is having intimate sexual contact without using a condom.  Hepatitis B and HIV/AIDS can also be contracted by injection drug use, body piercings or tattoos without properly sterilized needles.

How do you know if you have an STI?

Alarm signals:

•    Unusual secretions  (liquid discharge) in the genitals.  These liquids may be white, yellowish, dark, or contain blood. 

•    Pain during urination.

•    Pain during or after having intercourse.

•    Hot or itchy genitals.

•    Ulcers, sores, blisters, or warts in the genital area.

•    Skin rash

•    Jaundice (yellow eyes or skin)

•    Abdominal pain

•    Bleeding between regular menstrual periods

Remember that some STIs don’t have any symptoms.  Prevention is best!

How can you prevent STIs?

The only way to prevent an STI is to apply the “ABC” rules of prevention:

•    Abstinence.  You can choose not to have intimate sexual contact if you think it may be risky or if you are not prepared to have sex and don’t have a condom to protect you.  Also you can abstain if you think your partner may have an STI, or that he or she may be unfaithful to you.

•    Be faithful.  If you have intimate sexual contact with your partner you both need to be certain that neither of you has an STI and that you are both faithful to one another (have no other sexual partners).  You and your partner should be tested for STIs  to be sure that neither of you is infected, and then practice mutual fidelity.

•    Condoms. Use them correctly and consistently.  You must know how to use a condom correctly and use it whenever you have intimate (penetrative) sexual contact from the beginning of the relationship until the end. 

Make sure that you use only properly sterilized needles for any injections.

Remember, it’s important that:

•    You and your partner think about any previous risky sexual relationships that you have had that may have infected you without your knowing.

•    Observe your own body and your partner’s body carefuly for any signs of an STI.

•    Always apply the ABC rules.

•    If you have an STI, avoid sexual contact until you are sure that you are cured, or when your doctor tells you that it is all right.

•    If you have an STI, you must tell your sexual partner(s) so that they can be tested and treated.  Everyone has a right to protect his or her own sexual health.

•    If you have more than one sexual partner, have periodic medical exams for STIs, including an HIV test.

Source:

Hatcher, R.A., Rinehart, W., Blackburn, R., Geller, J.S. y Shelton, J.D. Lo esencial de la tecnología anticonceptiva. Baltimore, Facultad de Salud Pública, Universidad de Johns Hopkins, Programa de Información en Población, 1999.

www. vihsida.cI/paginas/infecciones_de_transmision_sexual.html

For additional information check the following topics in the health topics section:

Or you can visit:

http://kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/