Common STDs and Their Outcomes | |||
STD | Symptoms | Curable | Long-Term Outcomes |
| Chlamydia | Women usually have no symptoms; men may have a penile discharge. | Yes. | In women, may cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can lead to infertility, tubal pregnancy, and chronic pain. In men, may cause scrotal infection. In infants, may cause eye and lung infections. |
| Genital Herpes | May cause no symptoms; or itching, irritation, or painful blisters. Symptoms come and go. | No. Medicines can help manage outbreaks. | Most cases are mild. If a woman acquires herpes during pregnancy, the virus can be life threatening for the infant. |
| Gonorrhea | Women usually have no symptoms; men may have a penile discharge. | Yes. | In women, may cause PID, which can lead to infertility, tubal pregnancy, and chronic pain. In men, may cause scrotal infection. |
| Hepatitis B | May cause no symptoms, or “yellow jaundice” or, abdominal problems. | No. Can be prevented with a vaccine. | May lead to liver cancer and sometimes death. |
| HIV/AIDS | HIV may cause no symptoms but may progress to AIDS. In AIDS, the body cannot fight off many infections and cancers | No. Medicines may extend life. |
Opportunistic infections and cancers may lead to death. Pregnant women may transmit HIV to the fetus or infant. |
| Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) | Some HPV types can cause cervical abnormalities; other types cause genital warts. | No, but the immune system may suppress or eliminate the virus. | Untreated, a few HPV types may lead to cervical cancer. Pap testing can usually detect cervical disease in time to prevent cancer. Genital warts can be treated. |
| Syphilis | Painless sores and rashes that go away without treatment. | Yes. | Untreated, may cause serious neurological, cardiac and other diseases. Increases risk for getting or transmitting HIV. In pregnancy, can lead to severe abnormalities or death of infant. |
| Trichomoniasis | In women, may cause heavy discharge and genital irritation. Men may have no symptoms. | Yes. | May have no long-term consequences. May cause adverse pregnancy outcomes. |
Source: Our Voices, Our Lives, Our Futures: Youth and Sexually Transmitted Diseases. School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University or North Carolina at Chapel Hill. February, 2004.
Are Condoms Safe?
Here’s a look at the risks associated with a few common STDs:
HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) – HPV is the single most common STD in America. There is virtually no evidence that condoms reduce the risk of HPV infection at all, though they may slightly decrease the number of people who go on to get warts or cervical cancer.
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea – If used 100% of the time (which is uncommon), condoms only reduce the risk of Chlamydia and gonorrhea infection by about half.
Genital Herpes – Genital herpes infects nearly a quarter of Americans 12 and older and almost half of all African Americans. Based on the limited studies, it appears condoms only reduce the risk of herpes by half at best.
HIV/AIDS – If used 100% of the time, condoms reduce the risk of HIV transmission by 80%. It’s important to note that the rate is significantly lower when condoms are used inconsistently (which is common).
Emotional, social, & spiritual risks: Condoms can reduce the risk of getting pregnant or contracting some STDs but they cannot eliminate the additional risks that come with sexual activity before marriage.
Source: The Medical Institute brochure, Do Condoms Make Sex Safe Enough. Copyright 2003.
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