"It is estimated that as many as 1 in 4 Americans have genital herpes, yet at least 80% of those with herpes don't even know they have it."

- Journal of Medicine 1997; 337:1105-1111

What is an STD?
An STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) is an infection you can get by having sex (genital, oral, anal) with someone who has one of these diseases.
STD’s are contagious, even when no Sex exists
STD’s are the most common diseases in the U.S. next to the Cold and Flu.
1 in 5 Americans are infected with an STD
You can have an STD and have no symptoms for weeks, months, even years
Most are curable with antibiotics. Some STD’s are not curable, but can be treated.
Some STD’s are incurable and may eventually cause death!

How are STD’s transmitted?
STD’s are transmitted by sexual (genital, oral, anal) contact. It’s possible that if you've been sexually active at all, you could be at risk of having an STD.

Can STD’s be cured?
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea can be “cured” with antibiotics, but can also cause scars which often require future treatment and may cause infertility. Also, certain strains of Gonorrhea are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics.

No medical cure has been found for any virus. If a person becomes infected with a viral STD (like Herpes, HPV, HIV) there isn't a cure. Antiviral drugs reduce the number of outbreaks a person has (i.e. with Genital Herpes), but can't eliminate it entirely.

Am I at risk for getting an STD?
Anyone who has had sex, even once, whether oral, genital, or anal is at risk for getting an STD. These disease don't discriminate. They can infect anyone who has unprotected sex with another person (vaginal, anal or oral ) and they are spreading fastest among the heterosexual community and among teens.

Is oral sex really sex?
Oral sex is contact of a person’s mouth with the genitals of another person. If sexual activity is defined as bodily contact meant to give or derive sexual gratification, then oral SEX is SEX.

Can I get an STD from oral sex?
Yes, oral sex is definitely not safe. Many STD’s including Genital Herpes, Syphilis, and Gonorrhea can be spread through oral sex. HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) and Chlamydia as well as HIV may be transmitted through oral sex also.

Do condoms protect against STD’s?
Yes, condoms reduce risk for some (not all) STD’s. Even if used every single time you have sex, condoms will only decrease risk of Chlamydia & Gonorrhea about 50% (if used correctly 100%) Condoms will lessen risk of Herpes nearly 50% and of contracting HIV by 85%. Condoms don't reduce your chances of getting HPV (Human Papilloma Virus), though they may reduce your risk of getting genital warts or cervical cancer. HPV causes nearly all cervical cancer.

Note: Most people don't use condoms every time they have sex and even when they do use them they don't use them correctly. Even then, it’s still possible for condoms to slip off or break. Condoms have a 17% failure rate - that’s 1 in 6 According to CDC (2002) consistent use isn't common and consistent and correct use is even less common.

If you've been involved with sex, get checked for STD’s! PRC offers Free STD Testing and Treatment and HIV Screening

For more information on STD’s check out our Helpful Links Page.

Sources:
The Medical Institute for Sexual Health, 2003 www.medinstitute.org
“2002 Guidelines for Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases”, centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), May 2002 www.cdc.gov/nchstp/
American Social Health Association
“Oral Sex: a risk alternative” The Medical Institute 2003
“Condom Sense” Life Cycle Books 2003

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