One of the most prevalent and under-recognized aspects of sex in the United States is unfortunately one of the least favorable discussion topics. However, I believe it is an important part of leading a healthy sex life (whether sexually active or not) to be aware of the risks involved with “getting lucky”. I am talking about sexually transmitted diseases, otherwise known as STDs.

There is no such thing as completely safe sex; rather, sex can only be “safer” with the use of condoms. To demonstrate this point, more than 65 million cases of STDs were present in 1999, with the estimated rate of 15 million new cases appearing each year, according to an article found on the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website, titled: “Tracking the Hidden Epidemics: Trends in STDs in the United States 2000” (http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/dstd/Stats_Trends/Trends2000.pdf).

One of the bigger problems with tracking down how many cases of STDs actually exist is the number of asymptomatic carriers, or those who carry the diseases without showing symptoms. To better your chances of staying safer when being sexually active, wear a condom and get regular STD screenings. Many places, including University Health Services (UHS) on this campus, offer free STD screenings along with HIV testing. The process itself is really quite painless, but for some the week of waiting for results can be stressful. Since you all practice “safer sex,” you shouldn’t have to worry so much.

The CDC reports that there are over 25 diseases spread mainly through sexual activity, with teenagers making up about a quarter of those infected. Younger people are believed to contract STDs more frequently than adults because they are more likely to have multiple sex partners and to practice safer sex less frequently than adults. Part of this problem could be the lack of education about how STDs are spread. A large part of the younger population is unaware that oral sex can spread disease, and they do not view oral sex as “sex.” Contrary to their belief, though it may be considered by most as a sexual act, rather than “sex,” it is still possible to spread many STDs through oral sex.

Some of the more common STDs on their list include chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes, human papillomavirus (also known as HPV or genital warts), hepatitis B, trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis. There were an estimated 20 million or more cases of HPV when this study was conducted, and their best guess indicates that there are about 5.5 million new cases of genital warts per year. Topping the list of current cases is herpes, with 45 million reported cases in 1999 and with a growing rate of 1 million per year. It is estimated that four out of five adults have what is commonly known as oral herpes, which can be transmitted to sexual partners and develop into genital herpes through oral sex.

Women are prone to greater complications with some STDs such as gonorrhea and chlamydia. Both of these diseases can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can result in chronic pelvic pain, infertility and potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy. HPV can also result in a higher risk for cervical cancer in women. An additional problem is that women can transmit these diseases to their children, either before or during the birth. But there are precautions that can be taken to prevent the transmissions of some STDs if the person is aware of the disease.

Now don’t let all these numbers discourage you from being sexually active. Most people who carry STDs lead perfectly healthy sexual lives, and the majority of diseases are either treatable or curable. The symptoms of these diseases are not always as gruesome as the pictures you may have seen in textbooks for health classes. These pictures are typically of the worst cases. However, it is still important to get checked out. It doesn’t hurt, and if you know that you have an STD, it is easier to get treatment and less likely you will pass it on to others. There are also many resources online for those curious about aspects of STDs that I did not have room to cover, and UHS would be happy to answer any of your questions if you call. I suggest stopping by, though, since they have a big jar of free condoms.

Friends try not to let friends get STDs. Wear a condom!