A sexually transmitted infection- It could happen to you. In fact, statistics show that it probably already has.
The next time you walk into your bedroom of your dorm, townhouse or beach house – you may be looking at your roommate in a different light. Did you know that one-out-of-five sexually active people has an STD? Or how about this one: One out of two sexually active women will be diagnosed with the STD chlamydia before age 30.
Still not scared? For every one female age 20 – 24, there are 29 males aged 20 – 24 infected with syphilis.
If that hasn’t frightened you yet, then maybe this will: One of those people could be your best friend, your worst enemy, your sister, yesterday’s hook up, tonight’s hook up or someone you have never met – yet. Or worse, one of those people could be you.
So before you give yourself a pat on the back for all of the people you have had sexual relations with, you may want to go and get tested because at our age, we are at a higher risk for sexually transmitted infections, according to several reports.
Statistically, STDs may be on the rise in Connecticut, and the town of Fairfield is not exempt. In 2003, there were 9057 cases of chlamydia, 2976 cases of gonorrhea, and 30 cases of syphilis reported to the CT Department of Public Health, according to the CT STD Control Program. In the town of Fairfield alone, 26 cases of chlamydia and 17 cases of gonorrhea were reported in 2003.
Statistics show that those infected with chlamydia or gonorrhea in CT in 2003 were primarily women aged 20 – 24. Of those infected with chlamydia, 78 percent were women; of those infected with gonorrhea, an astonishing 61.5 percent were women. Syphilis, however, is an STD that stastically infects males age 20 – 24. Of those Connecticutians infected with syphilis in 2003, a whopping 96.7 percent were male.Okay, so now you may be scared out of your mind. Here’s what to look for:
Chlamydia –
It is known as the silent disease because 75 percent of women and 50 percent of men infected have no symptoms. If symtoms do occur, they usually appear one to three weeks after initial exposure. Chlamydia can be spread through vaginal, anal and even oral sex. Women’s symptoms may include an abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating. Others may have lower abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, fever or pain during sex. Women with chlamydia are five times more likely to contract HIV if exposed. Men’s symptoms may include a penile discharge or a burning sensation when urinating.
The good news:
Chlamydia can easily be treated and cured with antibiotics.
The bad news:
If untreated, chlamydia can spread into a woman’s uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This happens to over 40 percent of women with untreated chlamydia. PID can lead to chronic pelvic pain, infertility and potentially fatal pregnancies. In men, it can lead to pain in the testicles (epididymitis), fever and rarely, sterility.
Gonorrhea –
It is spread through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth or anus. Ejaculation does not have to occur to be infected. Most people have no symptoms and are at higher risk for HIV if exposed. Symptoms may take anywhere from two to 30 days to appear and may include a burning sensation when urinating, or a white, yellow or green discharge. Women may also have vaginal bleeding between periods, and men may have painful or swollen testicles.
The good news:
Gonorrhea can be treated and cured with antibiotics.
The bad news:
It is a common cause of PID in women and epididymitis in men. Gonorrhea can spread to the blood or joints, which can be life threatening.
Syphillis –
It is passed through direct contact with a syphilis sore, which occurs on external genitals, vagina, anus, rectum, lips or in the mouth. Transmission can occur during vaginal, anal or oral sex.
Symptoms may not occur for years but are usually marked by the appearance of a single sore called a chancre. While there may be multiple sores within 10 to 90 days of infection, the chancre is usually firm, round, small and painless. If untreated, lesions form during the second stage and are usually rough, red, reddish brown spots on the palms of hands and bottoms of feet.
The good news:
Antibiotics like penicillin will treat and cure syphilis.
The bad news:
Without treatment, syphilis can kill you. There may be paralysis, numbness, gradual blindness and dementia. While treatment will kill the bacteria and prevent further damage, it will not repair any damage that has already been done.
While chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis can all be cured with treatment, other STDs such as HIV and AIDS cannot. HIV is a disease that progresses to AIDS, which causes death through its complications from a suppressed immune system.
As of Dec. 31, 2004, there were a total of six cases of HIV and 75 cases of AIDS in Fairfield reported to the HIV/AIDS Surveillance Program. The majority of those infected with HIV were men age 30 – 39. Those infected with AIDS were men age 40 – 49. The federal government sanctioned HIV and AIDS as reportable diseases as of Jan. 1, 2002.
Although statistics show that STD positivity has declined in some regions over the past two years, this may be due to the effectiveness of screening and treatment.
Another STD you need to know about:
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) –
At least 50 percent of sexually active men and women acquire genital HPV infection at some point. By age 50, at least 80 percent of women will have acquired it.
There are more than 100 strands, and about 30 strands are sexually transmitted. There are usually no signs and symptoms.
Some people may have visible genital warts, which are soft, moist, pink or flesh-colored swellings that are sometimes cauliflower shaped. Some may have pre-cancerous changes in the cervix, vulva, anus or penis. Very rarely, HPV infection results in anal or genital cancers.
The good news:
HPV is diagnosed for women through a pap smear and usually disappears on its own. Warts may disappear on their own or with medication.
The bad news:
There is currently no HPV test for men. Symptoms are not common. HPV infection can occur in genital areas that are protected or not protected by a condom. HPV can lead to cervical cancer in women.
So what do I do?
If abstinence is not possible, choose to have sexual relations with someone who is monogamous or has had few or no sex partners. Condom use is essential.
Check out this website for a list of free screening facilities in Fairfield County: http:vvv.dph.state.ct.us/BCH/infectiousdise/stdclini.htm#Fairfield%20County
Sources: Connecticut Department of Public Health, Center for Disease Control.
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