What is STD?

This page was reviewed or revised on Saturday, October 26, 2002.

STD stands for Sexually Transmitted Disease. STDs are caused by many different germs. They affect the sex organs (penis, vagina, vulva), the mouth and the rectum. They are usually passed on during sex with someone who has an STD infection. STDs used to be called Venereal Disease (VD).

Who can get STDs?

Anyone who has sex can get an STD. The more people you have sex with, the greater your chance of getting an STD.

Why should I care about STD?

• Unless they're treated, STDs can cause permanent damage.
• Some STDs can make you sterile, which means you will not be able to have a baby.
• STDs can cause a lot of pain, especially in women.
• Unless STDs are treated you will continue to pass them on to your partners.

Happily, most STDs can be cured or prevented.

How do I know if I have an STD?

Look for these signs on your sex organs:

• a sore
  
• an irritation
  
• an itch
  
• a discharge
  
• a strong smell from the vagina
  
• a burning sensation when you urinate
  
• an unusual rash

These signs mean something is wrong, even if they go away after a while. They may not mean you have an STD. The only way to know for sure is to have an STD check-up.

When do signs appear?

Some signs show up 2-10 days after you've had sex with an infected person. Other signs may not show up for months.

Are there always signs?

No! There are not always signs. That's why there is so much STD around today. And that's why anyone having sex with more than one person should see a doctor or STD clinic at least every 6 months to have an STD check-up.

If you have a lot of sex partners you should have a check-up more often. If you find out you have an STD tell your partner right away because they could have it too.

What kind of damage can STDs do?

Women may get a serious infection called PID, which stands for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. Most women can be cured of PID with proper treatment, but some women may have PID problems for several years. Some women will not be able to have babies. Some will never be cured.

If PID is treated quickly there is less danger and women can be easily cured. Watch for these signs:

• pain in the lower abdomen (tummy)
• pain in the lower back
• flu-like signs
• high temperature
• unusual bleeding or discharge from the vagina

Gonorrhea and chlamydia are two common STD's that can cause PID, but 4 out of 5 women won't have any early signs of these STDs.

If you get an STD always tell your partners.
If you have more than one sex partner have STD check-ups every six months.

Can STDs cause other problems?

Yes. Less common dangers of untreated STDs include:

• arthritis
  
• heart disease
  
• nerve damage

What about pregnancy?

If you are pregnant and have an STD, you can pass it to your baby. If you are pregnant, you should see a doctor right away and ask for a complete STD check-up. Women with herpes risk having a retarded baby if there are herpes sores around the sex organs during delivery.

What can I do if I think I have an STD or AIDS?

• Go to your doctor or STD clinic right away. Tell them you think you have an STD. They will not tell anyone that you have been to an STD clinic. If you have an STD you may be able to get free medicine.
  
• Don't have sex with anyone until you are cured. This may take a week or more. Take all the medicine you are given.
  
• Tell your recent sex partners that they might have an STD. They should go to their doctor or STD clinic right away. If you prefer, a Public Health Nurse will contact your sex partners for you (Your name will remain confidential.)

How do I tell my partners?

Pick a quiet time and place. Be direct. Tell them what you know and urge them to go to a doctor or STD clinic. Don't be afraid. STDs are just diseases -- they don't mean you're a bad person!

How can I avoid an STD?

• Don't have sex with someone who has signs of STD.
  
• Men should always use latex condoms (safes or rubbers) especially if they have sex with a lot of different people. Even if a man uses a condom, a woman can still protect herself more by using birth control foam, or a diaphragm and birth control cream or jelly.
  
• Urinating (peeing) after sex and washing your sex organs with soap and water might help prevent STD.
  
• Know your partner's names, address and phone numbers. If one of you gets an STD, the others will be easy to contact.
  
• If you have sex with more than one partner, have complete STD check-ups every 6 to 12 months.
  
• Know your body. Knowing what is normal for you will help you spot the first signs of STD.
  
• Remember, people who are infected with STDs may not show signs. A condom is your only protection -- or you can choose not to have sex.

Talk about STDs with your sex partners. Be honest. Be careful. Be considerate.

For free, confidential information on Sexually Transmitted Diseases or AIDS and where to go for treatment contact: an STD or Family Planning Specialist with the Community Health Services.