SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES By: A. Neal

Sexually Transmitted Disease (STDs) or Venereal Disease (VD) are infections passed from one person to another through intercourse or genital contact.

1. AIDS/HIV: is an immunodefiency virus that weakens the immune system within an individual and can cause AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome -- the last phase of HIV. HIV is an opportunistic disease which destroys the body's immune system, making it impossible to fight off disease or even minor illnesses and it can be transmitted from one person to another by blood that has been infected, semen (including "pre-cum"), vaginal fluids and breast milk. If any one of these bodily fluids from an infected person DOES NOT enter another person's bloodstream, there is NO risk of infection. As of the date of this writing, current evidence indicates that saliva, tears and sweat from a person with HIV DO NOT contain sufficient amount of HIV for full transmit ion of the virus. Urine and feces DO NOT transmit HIV if there is not blood present. Unprotected (without a condom) vaginal or oral or rectal (anal) sexual activity with someone who is HIV-Positive or sharing unclean needles with someone with HIV account for the majority of HIV transmission. Being touched, hugged or lightly kissed by someone who is HIV-Positive will NOT transfer the virus to you. HIV is NOT spread by mosquitos, toilet seats, being coughed on by an infected person, or by donating blood. All blood in blood banks has been tested since 1985 for HIV. The risk of getting HIV from a blood product is extremely low. It can take up to six months after first infection occurs for HIV antibodies to develop and the virus can be transmitted to others before antibodies have developed. A blood test can determine if you are HIV-Positive. Even though someone with HIV may appear healthy for 10 years or longer before symptoms of AIDS develop, researchers believe most people who are HIV-Positive will eventually develop AIDS and early diagnosis and treatment of HIV is important. Although there are treatments for AIDS, it is apparently always fatal. The early symptoms of HIV infections are similar to flu symptoms that won't go away: rapid unexplained weight loss, persistent fever and night sweats, severe fatigue, persistent diarrhea, swelling of glands in the neck, armpits, or groin. As the immune system deteriorates, other symptoms include skin sores, white patches in the mouth, increased outbreaks of cold sores, unexplained shortness of breath and dry cough, severe numbness or pain in hands and feet, personality change or mental deterioration, cancers and infections.

2. Chlamydia is a bacterial infection which can be difficult to detect. About 80% of women and 10% of men with the disease show any symptoms. Symptoms usually occur two-to-four weeks after exposure. Vaginal discharge or irregular menstrual bleeding, painful urination, genital itching or lower abdominal pain are common for women with this disease. In men, there may be penile discharge and painful urination. Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics. Left undetected and untreated, chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease in women, which may lead to sterility.

3. Genital Herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus, also causing cold sores and fever blisters. Genital herpes is easily spread through sexual or other direct skin contact. Symptoms occur 2-to-30 days after contact with an infected person. A person's first outbreak of genital herpes may have many painful sores or blisters on the skin's surface. Fever, swollen glands, headaches, or muscle aches may also occur. If the sores develop inside the urethra or vagina, pain may occur during urination or vaginal discharge. The sores will "crust" and disappear in one-to-three weeks' period. Yet, some first-time episodes of outbreaks are so mild as to be unnoticed. It is also possible to be infected with herpes and have no outward symptoms. There is no known cure for genital herpes. Once infected, you may have reoccurring outbreaks, usually shorter and less severe than the first one. Itching, burning, or tingling may occur in places on the skin where the sores will appear at a later time. Medication is available which helps reduce the frequency and severity of recurrent outbreaks.

4. Genital Warts are caused by human papillanrvirus (HPV) which is spread through sexual contact. Small, fleshy bumps or flat white patches appear on the labia (the outside of the vagina), inside the vagina, on the penis or scrotum, or around the anus. Women have a link between HPV and cervical cancer, which can be detected by a PAP smear. If warts are bothersome or develop on the cervix, they can be removed by a doctor.

5. Gonorrhea (AKA: "the clap", "drip", or GC) is a bacteria infection spread through sexual contact. Symptoms include painful urination, vaginal discharge, irregular menstrual bleeding or a thick discharge from the penis. Many people infected with the bacteria show no outward symptoms. If untreated, gonorrhea in women could lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. GC can also spread into joints and cause arthritis.

6. Hepatitis B is a viral infection spread through sexual contact or contact with infected blood. An infected pregnant woman could transmit the virus to her unborn child. Symptoms appear two-to-five months after exposure. Symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and a yellow tint to the eyes and skin (jaundice). About one-third of infected people have no outward symptoms. Long-term effects of the disease include life-threatening liver damage. A vaccine for Hepatitis B is recommended for all infants and people in high-risk groups. Ask your doctor about the specifics.

7. Hepatitis B is a viral infection spread through sexual contact or contact with infected blood. An infected pregnant woman could transmit the virus to her unborn child. Symptoms appear two-to-five months after exposure. Symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and a yellow tint to the eyes and skin (jaundice). About one-third of infected people have no outward symptoms. Long-term effects of the disease include life-threatening liver damage. A vaccine for Hepatitis B is recommended for all infants and people in high-risk groups. Ask your doctor about the specifics.

8. Syphilis is a bacterial infection spread from one person to another through sexual contact or contaminated needles. Symptoms appear two-to-four weeks after exposure and include a chancre (a small blister, ulcer or sore on the genitals, rectal area or mouth) and the lymph nodes in the groin area may swell. The sores are painless and may go unnoticed. If syphilis is not treated early, a second phase can proceed in two-to-eight weeks with symptoms appearing as skin rashes, patchy hair loss, fever, swollen lymph glands and flu-like symptoms. Syphilis can be treated with antibiotics but left untreated syphilis causes serious medical problems and could lead to death.

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Information Hot Lines! California HIV/AIDS Hotline (800) 367-AIDS (2437), TDD (888) 255-AIDS (2437), Spanish (800) 400-SIDA AIDS PROJECT Los Angeles Sex Essentials Workshop (323) 993-1504/ www.apla.org STD Hotline (800) 227-8922/ (213) 588-5221

Gothic Beach Studio are not scientific researchers, sex experts or medical doctors. It is your responsibility to learn as much as possible by consulting with a physician before practicing any potentially-risky sexual activity.