Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Worldwide, sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs continue to be a major health concern.  STDs do not discriminate, and can affect people of any age, race or socio-economic level. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have estimated that, in the United States alone, 19 million people are diagnosed with some form of a sexually transmitted disease every year. Although STDs are diagnosed in every age group, more than 50% of these new infections are among young adults 15 - 24 years of age.

What exactly are STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases)?
STDs are communicable diseases that are transmitted by some form of sexual intercourse or person-to-person bodily fluid contact: vaginal, oral or anal. 

Once called venereal diseases, STDs are among the most common infectious diseases in the United States today. More than 20 STDs have now been identified.

People at risk for contracting STDs include those individuals who:

• Have more than one sexual partner

• Have unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex

• Engage in sexual activity while under the influence of drugs

• Have sexual intercourse before age 18 (greater exposure for a longer period of time)

• Use drugs with unclean needles

When diagnosed and treated early, many STDs can be cured or treated effectively.  Medical experts believe that people who have an untreated STD may be at greater risk of contracting HIV/AIDS if exposed to the virus.

Because of treatment advances, more people are living longer with HIV or AIDS. According to the latest findings from the CDC, more than 1.1 million people on the United States are living with HIV (diagnosed and undiagnosed). It was further estimated that by 2007, the number of people in America living with AIDS was 468,578. (Source:  www.cdc.gov)

---

Use the navigation bar on the left to find up-to-date information on how to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) with safer sex practices and comprehensive information about the most common STDs, including how they transmitted, diagnosed, and treated.