Protective Yourself Against STDs and HIV!!

A STD is a sexually transmitted disease. You can get a sexually transmitted disease by having sexual intercourse; vaginally, orally or anally unprotected.  Sexually transmitted disease can be bacterial or viral. Bacterial STDs is the most common and easier to treat; if the person gets seen as quickly as possible.  This type of STD can be treated with some antibiotics; which usually takes a week.  With some bacterial STDs, the infected person must inform their partner that they need to get some antibiotics or the STD can be transmitted back to the infected person if no condemn is used.  Viral STDs are incurable and can be life-threatening because you will have that disease for the rest of your life. Some STDs can also be transmitted by sharing needles with an infected person, as well as during childbirth or while breastfeeding.

 There are several types of STDs:  Genital Warts, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, Gonorrhea, Herpes Simplex I, Genital Herpes and Chlamydia.  Some symptoms of STD’s are a smelly discharge, burning during urination, and itching.

 HIV is a human immunodeficiency virus. You can get this virus from having unprotected sex, blood, blood transfusion, semen (cum), pre- seminal (pre cum), breast milk, vaginal fluids, and rectal (anal), and  mucous. `

Having protected sex will reduce your chances of catching a sexually transmitted disease; by wearing condoms.  Condoms, used properly can reduce your chances of contacting a STD and unplanned pregnancy.  They have condoms for females now, so they can protect themselves when the male refuses to wear a condom.  There are places that will give you free condoms such as Planned Parent Hood, clinics, and at some churches.  Parents should communicate with their children about sex, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy.  Schools are providing sex education to students and explaining the importance of wearing a condom…with the saying if you don’t have a condom, you will get no sex.  It is up to each person to protect their body and always wear a condom.       

- YAC Member Age 13