Preventing and Treating STDs – Varsity Education

Prevention Through Abstinence

Main Idea: The most successful method to prevent the spread of STDs is abstinence.

About 9 million American teens contract STDs annually. Some are bacterial infections, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, that can be treated and cured with antibiotics. Antibiotics are a class of chemical agents that destroy disease-causing micro-organisms while leaving the patient unharmed. Others, such as genital herpes and HPV, are incurable viral infections. Any STDs that are not diagnosed early and treated can result in serious permanent or long-term health consequences.

The only method that is 100 percent successful in preventing the contraction and spread of STDs is abstinence.

Understanding the Risks

Each month, about 750,000 teens are diagnosed with an STD. This age group is at high risk partly because many teens are unaware of a partner’s past behavior. It’s impossible to look at someone and tell if that person has an STD. Because many STDs go undiagnosed, it is not enough for a partner simply to say that he or she is uninfected. Abstinence is the only sure method of preventing STDs.

Avoiding High-Risk Behaviors and STDs

Avoiding high-risk behaviors can help prevent people from contracting STDs. High-risk behaviors include being sexually active with more than one person. This includes having a series of sexual relationships with more than one person at a time. However, being sexually active with even one partner puts a person at risk. Even protected sex, or barrier protection, is not 100 percent effective in preventing the transmission of STDs. Abstaining from sexual activity is the only method that is 100 percent effective in avoiding STDs.

-Engaging in sexual activity with high-risk partners.

Such partners include those with a history of being sexually active with more than one person and those who have injected illegal drugs. Taking a person’s word about past behaviors is not wise. Sexual activity with just one infected person puts you at risk.

-Using alcohol and other drugs.

Alcohol can lower inhibitions and cause teens to engage in sexual activity when they might ordinarily choose not to. To safeguard your health, it’s important to be in control of your decisions.

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HPV Vaccine

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the HPV vaccine, a vaccine that can prevent cervical cancer, pre-cancerous genital lesions (or sores), and genital warts caused by genital HPV infection. This vaccine protects against four types of HPV infections. Health officials recommend the vaccine for females 9 to 26 years old. Studies are under way to learn if the vaccine has health benefits for males. At this time no vaccines are available for any other types of STDs.

Diagnosing and Treating STDs

Main Idea: Only a health care professional can accurately diagnose and treat an STD.

If STDs are not diagnosed and treated early, serious long- term consequences can result. Teens who believe they might be infected with an STD should talk to a health care profes- sional. Many public health clinics provide information and treatment free of charge. Figure 24.6 summarizes diagnosis and treatment methods for common STDs.

Keep in mind that not all genital infections are STDs some are localized skin infections or rashes. Only a trained professional can determine which test will most effectively screen for a particular STD. When an STD has been diagnosed health care professional will prescribe the most effective medication and monitor the patient’s treatment. STDs can~ not be cured using common household products, homemade remedies, or over-the-counter treatments. Also, remember that taking medications prescribed to others can be risky.

Antibiotics can effectively treat bacterial STDs, but viral STDs are incurable. However, medications can lessen the discomfort from sores and skin irritations caused by STDs.

Act Responsibly

Everyone has an obligation to prevent the spread ofSTDs. One way to help control this epidemic is to practice absti- nence. A second way is to report any known infections. Public health clinics can sometimes help locate past partners to make sure they get medical treatment. Ultimately, however’ it is the responsibility of any person infected with an STD tonotify everyone with whom he or she has had sexual contact. Informing someone else about a possible STD infection could save a life.