Sexually Transmitted Diseases

1. Sexually Transmitted Diseases 7th Grade Health

2. STDs or STIs • Sexually Transmitted Diseases • Sexually Transmitted Infections • Definition: infectious diseases that spread from person to person through intimate contact

3. Danger! • If left untreated, some STDs can cause permanent damage, such as infertility ( the inability to have a baby) and even death (in the case of HIV/AIDS)

4. How do they spread? • You don’t have to have “sex” or sexual intercourse to spread an STD • Skin to skin contact is all that is needed • STDs can enter the body through tiny cuts or tears in the mouth, genitals, or anus

5. How can you tell? • STDs spread easily because you can’t always tell whether someone has an infection • They may not even know they are infected because some people do not exhibit symptoms

6. What increases my risk? • Sexual activity at a young age • The younger a person starts having sex, the greater his or her chances of becoming infected with an STD • Lots of sex partners • People who have sex or sexual contact with many different partners are at more risk than those who stay with the same partner • Unprotected sex • Condoms are the only form of birth control that reduce your risk of getting and STD

7. Prevention • The only way to completely prevent STDs is to abstain from all types of sexual contact • If someone is going to have sex, the best way to prevent the chance of getting an STD is by using a condom • Regular examinations by your doctor • Don’t let embarrassment stop you

8. 5 Myths About STDs • Only “trashy” people get STDS • FACT: STDs don’t discriminate

9. 5 Myths About STDs 2.) If your partner has and STD, you’ll see it. 2.) FACT: There’s often no sign that a person has an STD

10. 5 Myths About STDs 3.) You can avoid STDs by having oral or anal sex 3.) FACT: Where there’s sex (oral, anal, vaginal, or even just sexual contact), there can be STDs

11. 5 Myths About STDs 4.) Once you’ve had an STD, there’s no chance of getting it again. 4.) FACT: You can get some STDs more than just once.

12. 5 Myths About STDs 5.) If you vet checked and you’re STD free, your partner doesn’t need to get checked as well 5.) FACT: Your partner could have an STD and not know it