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Q: What is an STD?
A: An STD is a Sexually Transmitted Disease. People get and spread them through sexual contact.
Q: How many different STDs are there?
A: There are more than 20 different STDs. Some of them are curable and others are not.
Q: Which STDs are incurable?
A: Some common incurable STDs are Human Immonodeficiency Virus(HIV), Genital Herpes, Genital Warts or Human Papilloma-Virus (HPV), and Hepatitus B (HBV).
Q. Can I get an STD?
A. Yes, no one is immune to STDs. This is especially true for individuals engaging in high-risk behavior such as intravenous drug use, having unprotected sex, and those having sex with more than one partner.
Q. How can I make sure that I won't get an STD?
A. The only pervention that is 100% guaranteed is abstinence (not having sex).
Q. What are safe sex practices?
A. The safest sex in no sex. however, if you plan to have sex anyway you must learn safer sex practices. Here are three general rules to follow: (1) Always use a latex condom everytime you have sex. (2) Sex is safest when neither you or your partner have STD. (3) Both you and your partner should get tested for STDs.
Q. How can I tell if my partner has an STD?
A. You can not tell by the way a person looks. A healthy looking individual may be infected and someone who looks sick to you may not be infected. In other words, you will not know unless your partner tells you.
Q. What will happen if I have an STD and don't know it?
A. STDs can cause many serious health problems. You may become blind, increase your risk of cancer, become sterile (unable to have children), or even die.
Q. What should I do if I think I have an STD?
A. Do not try to diagnose and treat yourself! You need to see a doctor as soon as possible. Many STDs are curable with antibiotics and other medications, but some are not. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment is important.
For additional information you are encouraged to contact the following agencies:
Community Education And Child Advocacy Department
575 West Drive, Room 008
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 274-2964 or on the web at:
http://www.rileyhospital.org/kids1st
The Center for Disease Control National STD Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The call is free and anonymous (you do not have to tell them who you are). The hotline can provide contact information to clinics in your area that offer testing and treatment for STDS.
For English Speakers 1-800-227-8922
For the Hearing Impaired (TTY) 1-800-243-7889
número de llamada gratuita para un interprete español 1-800-344-7432
In the Indianapolis Area:
Bell Flower Clinic
1101 West 10th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 221-8300
Related Links
http://www.iwannaknow.org/
The American Social Health Association STD education site for teens.
[Keywords: sexually transmitted diseases]
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