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FACTS ABOUT SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (STDs)

Every year 3 million teens--about one in four sexually experienced teens--become infected with a sexually transmitted disease or infection (STD/STI). (The Alan Guttmacher Institute 1998 "Facts in Brief: Teen Sex and Pregnancy". available: www.agi-usa.org. [accessed 1999, November 11.]) 

In the United States during 1997, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was the seventh leading cause of death among individuals aged 15-24. (National Vital Statistics Reports, Vol. 47, No. 9, June 30, 1999.)  However, when broken down by race the HIV infection rankings are different. According to 1997 data, HIV infection was the sixth leading cause of death among African American males and fifth among African American females. Among white males it was the tenth leading cause of death and it was not even in the top ten for white females. (National Vital Statistics Reports, Vol. 47, No. 9, June 30, 1999.)  African Americans and Hispanics account for 58 percent of adolescent males with AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) and 83 percent of adolescent females with AIDS. (American Association for World Health "AIDS--End the Silence: World AIDS Day-- Dec. 1, 1999 p.9.)

The most common bacterial STD in the United States is chlamydia. The highest rates of chlamydial infection are among 15- to 19-year-old adolescents. Unfortunately, this STD primarily affects adolescent females. (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases--National Institutes of Health. "Sexually Transmitted Diseases." Autumn, 1998.)   Chlamydia most often does not show any symptoms -- 85 percent of infected women and 40 percent of infected men do not have symptoms. When left untreated, chlamydia is the most common cause of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which can cause infertility, tubal pregnancies and other health problems among female adolescents and adult women. (The Medical Institute for Sexual Health. "Sexual Health Update." Summer 1999. Vol. 7, No. 2.)

 Gonorrhea is one of the most common STDs, with one million new cases in the U.S. each year. Like chlamydia, teens have higher rates of gonorrhea than do sexually active men and women ages 20-44. In a single act of unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected partner, a teenage woman has a 50% chance of contracting gonorrhea. (The Alan Guttmacher Institute 1998 "Facts in Brief: Teen Sex and Pregnancy.")

Gonorrhea and chlamydia are very common among adolescents and young adults for a few reasons: 1. This age group is more likely to have multiple sexual partners. 2. This age group is more likely to have unprotected sexual intercourse. 3. Biologically, young women are predisposed to these infections due to the cell makeup in the cervix. (Maryland HIV/AIDS Update: Summer 1998. Department of Health and Mental Hygiene/AIDS Administration.)

 Like chlamydia and gonorrhea, teens and young adults have the highest rates of syphilis in the U.S. The incidence of syphilis is highest among individuals between the ages of 15 and 30, and among people with the greatest sexual activity. The incidence of syphilis decreases with age. (World Health Organization. December 1997 Fact Sheet. available: www.who.ch/.)

 It is important to understand that most people with AIDS that are under the age of 30 were infected with HIV in their teens or twenties. Young people need the information and skills necessary to protect themselves from HIV in order to prepare them for when they are faced with making a decision which is sometimes anticipated about sex or drugs. (Advocates for Youth. "The Facts: Adolescents, HIV/AIDS and Other STDs." November 1998.)

Approximately one in four Americans are infected with genital herpes; there is no known cure for this STD. The herpes virus can be transmitted during vaginal, anal and oral intercourse and can also be transmitted to other parts of the body through touch. Therefore, condoms do not always offer protection against this STD. (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases--National Institutes of Health "Sexually Transmitted Diseases." Autumn, 1998.)  Similar to other STDs, many individuals who are infected with herpes suffer no symptoms. Eighty percent of people with genital herpes do not develop any symptoms, but can transmit the virus to other people. (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases--National Institutes of Health "Sexually Transmitted Diseases." Autumn, 1998.)

 Genital warts is the most common STD in the U.S. with an estimated 10 million people infected and one million new cases diagnosed each year. Similar to other STDs many individuals do not have any symptoms. Genital Warts are caused by certain types of human papilloma virus (HPV). According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there is no treatment available that ensures genital warts will not recur. (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases--National Institutes of Health "Sexually Transmitted Diseases." Autumn, 1998).

Data taken from CFOC - 2000