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STD
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), once called venereal diseases, are among the most common infectious diseases in the United States today. STDs are diseases caused by a pathogen (i.e., a disease-causing virus, bacterium, parasite, fungus) that is spread from person to person primarily through sexual contact. The most common STDs today are herpes, genital herpes, genital warts, and AIDS. STDs can be painful, irritating, debilitating, and life threatening. Genital herpes, herpes, and genital warts are caused by separate viruses and are highly contagious, although not usually life threatening.
The incidences of STDs are rising, especially genital herpes, herpes, and genital warts. A contributing factor to this is that people are now sexually active at a younger age and are marrying later. In addition, divorce is more common. As a result, sexually active people today are more likely to have multiple sex partners during their lives and are potentially at risk for developing STDs like genital herpes, herpes, and genital warts.
Genital Herpes
If you have genital herpes, please be aware you are not alone. It is estimated that up to 30% of Americans have genital herpes (over 80 million people). While others estimate that 90% of Americans will suffer from a herpes infection, including a cold sore (herpes simplex 1), sometime in their life. More than 1,000,000 new cases of herpes are diagnosed each year. The number of people infected with genital herpes is reaching staggering proportions.
The genital herpes virus is highly contagious. Anyone experiencing symptoms of a genital herpes outbreak must be very cautious when being intimate with another person, abstinence is recommended. If the genital herpes virus has been transmitted, the infection is permanent.
If a person has oral herpes (cold sores), and performs oral sex on his/her partner, it is possible for that person to transmit the virus to the genitals from this action, and vice versa. The symptoms of oral herpes and genital herpes are almost identical
The genital herpes virus is very distinct. A genital herpes outbreak starts with one or a few small blisters. Without treatment, the genital herpes blisters generally last several days and then form scabs indicating the end of the outbreak.
Recent studies indicate that people with genital herpes may be contagious at any givne time even without visible signs of an outbreak. This is symptom is called “viral shedding.”
Women who acquire genital herpes during pregnancy can transmit the virus to their babies. Untreated HSV infection in newborns can result in mental retardation and death.
Genital Warts
Anyone can get genital warts. The most common way to be infected with genital warts is through intercourse with someone who has genital warts, or touching the genitals of someone who already has genital warts. In rare situations, a person is born with genital warts, or a child becomes infected with genital warts while being bathed or changed. Sometimes people become infected with genital warts and the genital warts will not develop for many years.
Genital warts appear on or around the genitals and anus of both men and women. Genital warts often occur in groups and can be very tiny or can accumulate into large masses on genital tissues. Left untreated, genital warts may eventually develop a fleshy, cauliflower-like appearance.
It is believed that there are more cases of genital warts than any other std in the United States. According to the American Social Health Association, there are over 5 million new cases of genital warts reported every year. There are approximately 40 million people in the USA currently infected with genital warts.
Similar to other STDs, it is not uncommon for genital warts to be devoid of visible signs and symptoms. One study sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) reported that almost half of the women infected with genital warts had no obvious symptoms. Those infected with genital warts, without knowing they have genital warts, will not know they can transmit their genital warts to others and can also develop complications from the genital warts virus.
What about cold sores?
Ninety percent of all people will have at least one cold sore, (herpes simplex outbreak) sometime in their life. Some children who are affected with cold sores may become seriously ill. However, after the first cold sore infection, many people develop antibodies to the cold sore virus and never have another cold sore. About 40% of American adults, however, have repeated cold sores.
Cold sores are highly contagious when a flare up is present, and a cold sore can be transmitted even when there is no visible signs of a cold sore, this is called viral shedding. Children often become infected with the cold sore virus by contact with parents, siblings or other close relatives who have cold sores.
The cold sore virus is highly contagious. Anyone experiencing symptoms of a cold sore must be very cautious when being intimate with another person so as not to transmit the cold sore virus. Those who have symptoms of a cold sore should refrain from contact with another person to help avoid transmission of cold sores. If the cold sore virus has been transmitted, the infection is permanent.
Cold sores can be either a one time event or reoccur. Possible causes of a cold sore reactivating may include stress, fever, menstruation, cold, fatigue and sunlight. Recurrent cold sores usually occur as lesions in or around the mouth.
