There are more than 25 different types of germs that can be transmitted through sexual contact. One in five people in the United States is infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD). At least 15 percent of infertile women are infertile because of damage caused by pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), the result of an untreated STD. Having a STD does not make you a dirty or bad person. Anyone who is sexually active can get STD. You can become infected through anal, oral, and vaginal sex. You can be infected with a STD and not see any symptoms or even feel like you are sick.

Bacteria cause some STDs and viruses cause others. Those STDs are caused by bacteria are curable and treatable. Sexually transmitted diseases that are curable can do serious damage to your body if left untreated. Viral sexually transmitted diseases are not curable and remain in your body, but treatments available to minimize or relieve symptoms.

There are five reportable sexually transmitted diseases in Missouri. These diseases include the following: chancroid, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV. Except for chancroid (which has not been reported in Missouri for years), St. Louis County Health Department STD clinics screen for these diseases free of charge. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are often sexually transmitted, but not always.

The following links provide basic information about some of the most common sexually transmitted diseases.

For more information or for information on diseases not listed above, please click on the Resources link.

FACT: Anyone who is having sexual activity can acquire a sexually transmitted disease.
FICTION: Only dirty people, or bad people get a STD.

FACT: You acquire a STD from someone else who is infected.
FICTION: A yeast infection can turn into a STD.

FACT: Many sexually transmitted diseases show no signs or symptoms.
FICTION: If you feel okay, you do not have a STD.

FACT: You can get a STD from having unprotected oral sex.
FICTION: Oral sex is not really sex, therefore I'm okay.

FACT: One in five sexually active people have a STD.
FICTION: You can tell by looking at someone whether they have a STD.

FACT: Abstinence is the only 100% effective method of preventing STD.
FICTION: Using a condom means that I'm completely safe.

FACT: Infertility is the main complication of having a STD.
FICTION: If the disease is curable, it's not a big deal.

FACT: Each STD requires different medication.
FICTION: I took one medicine that will cure all sexually transmitted diseases.

FACT: Minors can receive free and confidential testing for any STD.
FICTION: I need my parents' permission to go get tested.

FACT: You must take all your medication to completely rid your body of the infection.
FICTION: I can stop taking my medicine because I feel better.

FACT: HIV is spread by infected blood products, having sex, sharing needles, and IV drug use.
FICTION: I can get HIV from touching someone who is infected.

Sexually transmitted diseases are preventable. Obviously, sexual abstinence is the most effective way to avoid STD. Regardless of your sexual activity, there are some things that you need to know to be able to protect yourself and prevent infection.

Safer sex is anything that is done to reduce the risk of a sexually transmitted disease. There are many ways to lower your risk of contracting a STD.

• Abstinence, (not having oral, vaginal, or anal sex) is the most effective way to avoid getting a STD.

• If you do decide to have sex, talk to your partner about STDs. Find out if they have ever been tested or exposed to a STD. Discuss previous sexual activity, multiple partners, any injection drug use and shared needles. Talk openly about your sexual history as well.

• If you decide to become sexually active, go with your partner to get screened for STDs.

• If you are having sex, limit your number of partners. This may reduce your risks of getting a STD.

• Remember that one in five sexually active adults are infected with a STD. Obtain routine STD screening if you are sexually active.

• Latex condoms may offer protection from some STDs, but they may not protect against genital warts or herpes.

• Use a condom correctly. Use the following link to find out the right way to use a condom: www.ashastd.org/stdfaqs/condom_a.html.

• Use water based lubricants (such as* K-Y jelly) for latex condoms. Oil lubricants (such as baby oil) can cause a latex condom to break and become ineffective.

• Do not assume that if you feel okay, you cannot have a STD. If you are engaging in any types of sex, get screened for STDs.

If you do have a STD, talk to your partner. Be open and honest. Tell your partner in a neutral setting. Practice how you are going to tell them before you sit down and have the conversation. Gather information before you talk with your partner so you can be prepared for questions. Discuss getting tested together in the future. Click on the links below to help find ways to talk to your partner about having a STD.

www.sexuality.about.com/library/weekly/aa070601.htm or www.iwannaknow.org.

*Use of trade names and commercial sources is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the Saint Louis County Department of Health.

This site has provided general information about sexually transmitted diseases. Below you will find other sources and links to provide you with more detailed information about STDs.

• **www.iwannaknow.org - a web site designed for adolescents. This site provides basic information about STDs and guides for parents as well.

• **www.unspeakable.com - provides information about various STDs, risk factors, and quizzes.

• **www.plannedparenthood.org - this site is created by Planned Parenthood organization. There are tools to locate health centers and research information for sexually transmitted diseases.

• **www.niaid.nih.gov/dmid/stds/ - provides information on news releases, reports, and articles. It also gives fact sheets about various STDs.

• www.cdc.gov/nchstp/dstd/dstdp.html - this is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's STD web site. This site gives information about STDs as well as statistics, treatment guidelines, and funding information.

• **www.ashastd.org - this is the American Social Health Association web site. This site provides a health glossary, statistics, and information about various STDs.

• CDC National Hotline for STDs: 1-800-227-8922 or 1-800-342-2437
  En Espanol: 1-800-344-7732
  
  
• **Herpes Resource Center: 1-800-230-6039
  
  
• **Herpes Hotline: 919-361-8488
  
  
• **St Louis Help (Herpes Support Group): 314-781-2700
  
  
• **HPV Hotline: 919-361-4848
  
  
• **Planned Parenthood: 1-800-230-PLAN (7526)

If you are in need of other information not listed above please contact the Saint Louis County STD Program at 314-615-8331.

**References to non-CDC sites and telephone numbers listed above are provided as a service to individuals accessing the Saint Louis County website and do not constitute or imply endorsement of these organizations or their programs. Saint Louis County Health Department is not responsible for the content of these sites. URL addresses listed throughout this site were current as of the last update.

Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) quarterly statistics are posted on our website. Since reports keep filtering in, this data is always provisional. Each report summarizes available STD data for the previous two years.