• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) affect millions of men and women each year.
• Anyone can become infected through sexual intercourse with an infected person.
• Many of those infected are teenagers or young adults.
• Changing sexual partners adds to the risk of becoming infected.
• Sometimes, early in the infection, there may be no symptoms, or symptoms may be easily confused with other illnesses.

Symptoms

Several symptoms can indicate the possibility of a sexually transmitted disease. If you experience any of these symptoms see your health care provider as soon as possible.

• Unusual vaginal discharge, or any discharge from the rectum or penis.
• Painful intercourse.
• Burning or discomfort during urination.
• Unusual pain or discomfort in the abdomen in women or the testicles in men. Also be aware of any unusual pain in both the buttocks and legs.
• Swelling, blisters, open sores, warts, or a rash in the genital area, on the sexual organs, or in the mouth.
• Flu-like symptoms such as fever, headach, aching muscles, or swollen glands.

Risks
Several potential health risks are associated with sexually transmitted diseases or STDs. These include:

• Ectopic or tubal pregnancies which can be fatal to the mother and are always fatal to the unborn baby.
• Babies born to women with sexually transmitted diseases may suffer death or severe damage as a result of the mother's STD.
• Cervical cancer is almost always caused by an STD called the human pappilloma virus or HPV.
• Sometimes sexually transmitted diseases cause damage to other organs including the heart, kidneys, and brain.
• The sad fact is that certain STDS such as HIV or AIDS are eventually fatal.

• Chlamydia - Chlamydia is a very dangerous STD as it usually has no symptoms; 75% of infected women and 25% of infected men have no symptoms at all.
• Gonorrhea - Gonorrhea is one of the most frequently reported STD. 40% of it's victims contract PID if not treated, and it can cause sterility.
• Hepatitis B - A vaccine exists, but there's no cure; can cause cancer of the liver. · Herpes - Painful and episodic; can be treated but there's no cure.
• HIV/AIDS - First recognized in 1984, AIDS is the sixth leading cause of death among young men and women. The virus is fatal involving a long, painful death.
• Human Papalloma Virus (HPV) & Genital Warts - The most common STD, 33% of all women have this virus, which can cause cervical or penile cancer and genital pain.
• Syphilis - Untreated, can lead to serious damage of the brain or heart.
• Trichomoniasis - Can cause foamy vaginal discharge or no symptoms at all. Can cause premature birth in pregnant women.
• Other STDs and related conditions.