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Safe Sex...Really?
Since the sexual revolution began in the 60's our nation has seen an increase in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in both men and women and an increase in pregnancy among women under the age of 25.
Before the "Safe Sex" message was widely spread, we had only two documented STDs. Now, in the year 2004, we have over 25 different types of STDs.
Did You Know...
- 18.9 million Americans become newly infected with STDs each year? 41,000 a day.
- More than 25 different kinds of STDs exist and 20 are rampant among people under the age of 25.
- 80% of the people infected with an STD do not develop initial symptoms.
- in the US, hetrosexual contact is now the primary means by which HIV is transmitted.
- 1 in 4 Americans aged 15-55 are infected with a viral STD which is incurable and can eventually kill.
- Approximately 2/3 of all STD infections occur in people under the age of 25.
- New strains of STDs are resistant to treatment.
- Herpes and some other STDs are contagious even when no symptoms exist.
- Some STDs are spread by skin-to-skin contact.
- HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) has no medical cure, is the fastest growing non- curable STD; it is spread by skin-to-skin contact; condom and birthcontrol can't protect against it; and it can cause cervical cancer in women. Most HPV patients have no symptoms.
- Did you know that HPV is the number one cause of cervical cancer in women?
- Over 99% of all cervical cancer cases are from the Human Papilloma Virus.
- 75% of sexually active Americans are or have been infected by HPV.
- Chlamydia is one of the most common bacterial (curable) STDs. About 85% of women do not have any symtoms. If not treated, it can lead to infection and/or infertility (unable to have children).
- STDs are diseases that can be spread through kissing, touching people in affected areas for extended periods of time, intercourse, oral-sex, or anal sex.
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There are two types of STDs, bacterial and viral:
Bacterial STD
A Bacterial STD is a curable STD. If a bacterial STD is caught in time, it can be treated and cured. (Although, some of the symptoms it causes may leave permanent damage.)
Viral STD
A Viral STD is a non-curable STD. People who contract a viral STD will have it for the rest of their lives. They may not have outbreaks of the STD all the time, but it will be with them forever. Some viral STDs will eventually lead to death.
What's so safe about that? Thankfully, you have a choice!
For more information on STDs you can go to one of the following web sites:
More Information
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