Sex is a topic that most people feel uncomfortable talking about. It’s understandable though; they’re involving something called “private parts”. Depending on your background, you were taught about the birds and the bees either by a parent, by an official at your school, or possibly not at all. The thing is, most people don’t get a talk about Sexually Transmitted Diseases, or Sexually Transmitted Infections. To be fair, it’s hard to imagine a 12 year old understand the consequences of a lifelong illness that can be disfiguring or even deadly, just from having unprotected sex ONE TIME. There are some STDs that aren’t even taught about in school, which can lead to confusion as one matures and begins engaging in sexual activity. It’s important to learn about STDs as well as learn how to prevent them, which is the purpose of this article.

• Chancroid (SHANG-kroid) is not a common STD, therefore it is often looked past.
  - It is a type of bacteria that is transmitted through sexual contact as well as skin-to-skin contact.
  - It causes open sores and swollen glands on genitals.
  - It can be treated with antibiotics.
  - It is more common in men than women.
  - It can be prevented with the use of condoms.
  - Chancroid sores make it easier to contract HIV.
  
  
• Chlamydia (klah-MIH-dee-ah) is an STD that is three times as common than gonorrhea and more than 50 times as common as syphilis.
  - It can infect the penis, vagina, cervix, anus, urethra, eye, or throat.
  - It is spread through intercourse.
  - It can be prevented with the use of condoms.
  - Usually, Chlamydia doesn't have any symptoms. If symptoms do appear, it will take place 5-10 days after the infection.
  - If untreated, Chlamydia can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in women and Epididymitis in men. You must be diagnosed by a health professional.
  - It can be treated with antibiotics, but each case of Chlamydia is different, meaning that dosage as well as the length of time will vary.
• Genital Warts are caused by different types of the Human Papilloma Virus (type 6 and type 11 are the most common) and are very common.
  - The types of HPV that cause genital warts do not cause cancer.
  - They can appear on your vagina or on your vulva, cervix, penis, anus, or urethra. They can also appear on our mouth, on the lips, tongue, and palate, or in the throat.
  - They can take six weeks to six months to develop.
  - It is important to be diagnosed by a health professional.
  - There is treatment for genital warts, however most people just wait for their bodies to fight off the infection and they will go away on their own.
  - Genital warts can be prevented by receiving the HPV vaccine, and/or using condoms during skin-to-skin contact.
  
• Gonorrhea (gon-o-RHEE-a) is also called "the clap", or "the drip", and is a common STD.
  - It is an infection caused by bacteria that is spread through sexual contact.
  - It can infect the penis, vagina, cervix, anus, urethra, or throat.
  - It is spread through intercourse and oral sex.
  - Most of the time, there are no symptoms. If there are, symptoms appear 1-14 days after the infection, and they are not consistent.
  - It can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease as well as Arthritis.
  - It is important to be diagnosed by a healthcare provider.
  - It can be treated with antibiotics, but dosage/type of antibiotic will vary.
  - It can be prevented with the use of condoms.
  
  
• Hepatitis B is a very dangerous STD that has no cure.
  - Hepatitis is an infection of the liver. It is spread through bodily fluids.
  - It can show no symptoms, but symptoms can appear six weeks to six months after infection.
  - A blood test is required to test for Hepatitis B.
  - There is no cure for Hep B, but it can go away 4-8 weeks after infected. In 1 in 20 cases, the infected person will be a carrier of the disease, and will have to treat it for the rest of their lives. Carriers are also more likely to infect others.
  - HBV is very contagious and is spread through unprotected sex, sharing needles, sharing razors, as well as mother-to-infant during birth.
  - Hepatitis B can be prevented with the use of the Hepatitis B vaccine as well as the use of condoms. Abstaining from sharing products that come into contact with bodily fluids will reduce the risk as well.
  
  
• Herpes is a very common STD that can be caused by the Herpes Virus Simplex Type 1 or 2.
  - The herpes virus remains in the body for life whether or not symptoms are present.
  - It is spread by touching, kissing, and sexual contact, and oral sex.
  - They can infect the oral or genital regions of the body.
  - Oral herpes symptoms and genital herpes symptoms are different, but sometimes don't appear right away.
  - Herpes are more contagious when sores are open.
  - Herpes can increase the risk of contracting HIV.
  - A physical exam and blood test can confirm the diagnosis.
  - There is treatment available for the physical symptoms of herpes, but no cure.
  - The risk of contracting herpes can be reduced by the use of condoms and ensuring that the infected partner is being treated.
  
  
• The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and has no cure.
  - There are several stages of HIV. Symptoms can take up to ten years to develop, and by then the disease could have progressed to it's most advanced stage, AIDS.
  - You must be tested by a healthcare professional in order to know if you have HIV/AIDS.
  - There is no cure for HIV/AIDS, but there is treatment.
  - HIV is spread through bodily fluids, but not through kissing or hugging.
  - HIV can be prevented with the use of a condom as well as abstaining from sharing needles.
  
  
  
• The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common STD that can lead to cervical and other cancers.
  - It is so common that most men and women have it and don't know it. Most of the time, HPV infections have no harmful effects.
  - It is spread through intercourse as well as oral sex during skin-to-skin contact.
  - HPV can go away within 8-13 months, or hide in the body for long periods of time.
  - High-risk types of HPV cause cancer.
  - There are no symptoms of HPV.
  - A Pap test can include testing for HPV. There is also no HPV testing for men just yet.
  - There is no current treatment for HPV, but there are treatments for abnormal cell changes that can be caused by HPV.
  - HPV can be prevented by the HPV vaccine and the use of condoms.
  
  
  
• Molluscum Contagiosum is an STD that can be spread through nonsexual and sexual contact.
  - It is a virus that affects the skin.
  - It is often spread through intercourse but can also be spread by sharing towels or clothing.
  - Symptoms include small, waxy, round growths in the genital area or on the thighs. They can appear two to three months after infection.
  - A healthcare provider will be able to diagnose the virus based on the growths.
  - Treatment is available through antibiotics or skin treatments.
  - The virus can be prevented with the use of condoms as well as covering the infected area.
  
  
  
• Pubic Lice (Crabs) are a relatively common STD that involves tiny insects attaching themselves to the skin and hair of the pubic area.
  - Symptoms will appear after about five days and typically include intense itching. However, some people may never show symptoms.
  - Pubic lice is spread through sexual contact and other close physical contact
  - It is possible to diagnose yourself with pubic lice, but it is best to see a healthcare provider.
  - There is treatment for this, including over the counter remedies. Home remedies like shaving will not work.
  - There is no way to fully prevent Pubic lice.
  
  
• Scabies (SKAY-beez) is an infection that is more commonly spread through sexual contact.
  - It is a skin condition caused by the scabies mite.
  - It is spread through close personal contact and sharing bedding/clothing.
  - Symptoms may not be present, but if they are, they will include intense itching, with the appearance of tiny bumps. It usually takes 3-4 weeks for them to develop.
  - A healthcare provider will be the most efficient way to diagnose scabies.
  - There is treatment. Along with medication, your living space as well as items that have come into contact with your skin should be washed.
  - There is no protection against Scabies.
  
  
  
• Syphilis (SIFF-I-lis) is an STD that is caused by bacteria that can escalate into a risky disease.
  - It can produce no symptoms or mild symptoms.
  - It is spread through intercourse and although less common, kissing.
  - There are several stages of syphilis. The later stages can be deadly.
  - A healthcare provider can run tests to detect the presence of syphilis.
  - There are treatments for the early stages of syphilis, which include antibiotics.
  - It is very contagious in the earlier stages. Using condoms can reduce the risk of becoming infected.
  
  
• Trichomoniasis "Trich" (trick-oh-mo-NEYE-ah-sis) is an STD caused by a protozoan, which is a microscopic one-celled animal (a parasite).
  - There are typically no symptoms-- especially in men. Symptoms can develop between three and 28 days.
  - A healthcare provider can diagnose this STD through a pelvic exam for women and a swab of the urethra for men.
  - There is treatment for Trich through prescription medicine.
  - It is transmitted through the transmission of fluid between partners.
  - It is possible to prevent Trich through the use of condoms.

There you have it. The master list of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and a synopsis that describes them. Hopefully this has saved you from inaccurate google searches and scary WebMD posts. The purpose of this article is to INFORM others about the common occurrence of STDs, which STDs are more dangerous, and to encourage readers to GET TESTED. In most clinics if you are under 18, you do not need parental consent for STD testing.

It is a personal conversation that YOU need to have with yourself. Most people think that pregnancy is the scariest part of sex, but they don't realize that unprotected sex can have LIFELONG consequences. I encourage you to do your thing, just do it safely.