2008 Woodie Awards
Sexually transmitted diseases can be avoided
April McCormick
Issue date: 11/28/07 Section: Health Column
- Page 1 of 1
We've all heard it before. "The best way of prevention is abstinence." But how many of us actually practice abstinence?
Most of us have had a sex-ed class of some sort in middle school or high school. Through those classes and through our parents, we've heard about sexually transmitted diseases. But just how serious are they?
In 2001, the National Institutes of Health found that more than 65 million people in the United States are living with an STD, the majority of which are incurable viral infections.
Many sexually transmitted infections can cause adverse pregnancy outcomes including, but not limited to, miscarriage, still birth, intrauterine growth restrictions, and prenatal (mother-to-child) infections, according to a study, Scientific Evidence on Condom Effectiveness for Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention (SECESTDP), done by the national Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, and the Department of Health and Human Services in July 2001.
"Some STDs are associated with infertility among women and one, the human papilloma virus, can cause cervical cancer among women."
According to the Center for Disease Control, there are two primary ways that STDs can be transmitted.
Human immunodeficiency virus, as well as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis, the discharge diseases, are transmitted when infected semen or vaginal fluids contact mucosal surfaces (the male urethra, the vagina, or cervix).
In contrast, genital ulcer diseases such as genital herpes, syphilis, and chancroid - and human papillomavirus are primarily transmitted through contact with infected skin or mucosal surfaces.
STDs can be prevented. Risk reduction approaches include abstinence, mutual monogamy with an uninfected partner, use of condoms, and engaging in sexual activity that does not result in the transfer of bodily fluids or cell-to-cell transmission.
Although, research is underway to develop them, the only vaccine marketed for the prevention of STDs is the hepatitis B vaccine, according to the SECESTDP study.
Although most young adults use condoms, condoms are not sure-proof.
The SECESTDP study found, as a quality assurance step, condom manufacturers sample each lot of finished packaged condoms and visually examine them for holes using a water leak test.
FDA recognizes domestic and international standards that specify that the rate of sampled condoms failing the water leak test, for each manufacturing lot of condoms, be less than 1 in 400.
The surest way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases is to abstain from sexual intercourse, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and know is uninfected.
If one night stands are a must, use a condom. If sexual intercourse in a relationship is a must, you and your partner should get tested for STDs.
If at all possible, abstain from sexual activity. Should you have an STD, have the decency to tell your partner.
Most of us have had a sex-ed class of some sort in middle school or high school. Through those classes and through our parents, we've heard about sexually transmitted diseases. But just how serious are they?
In 2001, the National Institutes of Health found that more than 65 million people in the United States are living with an STD, the majority of which are incurable viral infections.
Many sexually transmitted infections can cause adverse pregnancy outcomes including, but not limited to, miscarriage, still birth, intrauterine growth restrictions, and prenatal (mother-to-child) infections, according to a study, Scientific Evidence on Condom Effectiveness for Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention (SECESTDP), done by the national Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, and the Department of Health and Human Services in July 2001.
"Some STDs are associated with infertility among women and one, the human papilloma virus, can cause cervical cancer among women."
According to the Center for Disease Control, there are two primary ways that STDs can be transmitted.
Human immunodeficiency virus, as well as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis, the discharge diseases, are transmitted when infected semen or vaginal fluids contact mucosal surfaces (the male urethra, the vagina, or cervix).
In contrast, genital ulcer diseases such as genital herpes, syphilis, and chancroid - and human papillomavirus are primarily transmitted through contact with infected skin or mucosal surfaces.
STDs can be prevented. Risk reduction approaches include abstinence, mutual monogamy with an uninfected partner, use of condoms, and engaging in sexual activity that does not result in the transfer of bodily fluids or cell-to-cell transmission.
Although, research is underway to develop them, the only vaccine marketed for the prevention of STDs is the hepatitis B vaccine, according to the SECESTDP study.
Although most young adults use condoms, condoms are not sure-proof.
The SECESTDP study found, as a quality assurance step, condom manufacturers sample each lot of finished packaged condoms and visually examine them for holes using a water leak test.
FDA recognizes domestic and international standards that specify that the rate of sampled condoms failing the water leak test, for each manufacturing lot of condoms, be less than 1 in 400.
The surest way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases is to abstain from sexual intercourse, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and know is uninfected.
If one night stands are a must, use a condom. If sexual intercourse in a relationship is a must, you and your partner should get tested for STDs.
If at all possible, abstain from sexual activity. Should you have an STD, have the decency to tell your partner.
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