Gonorrhea & Chlamydia Facts

Facts About Gonorrhea

Also known as "the clap", gonorrhea is a fairly common sexually transmitted disease. While anyone can become infected with gonorrhea, people between the ages of 15 and 29 are responsible for 75% of the reported cases. Women between the ages of 15 and 19 and men between the ages of 20 and 24 are the most at risk of becoming infected with gonorrhea.

Type of Infection: Bacterial; from the Neisseria gonorrhea bacteria

Mode of Transmission: Mainly through vaginal, anal and oral sex. Bacteria are transmitted through vaginal and seminal fluids. Infection can show up in the genital tract, mouth or rectum.

Symptoms: Once infected, symptoms of Gonorrhea can take between two and ten days to show up. In women, the cervix is usually the first site of infection. From there, the infection moves up into the uterus and into the fallopian tubes. Women are much more likely than men to be asymptomatic. If they do develop symptoms, they are likely to include: bleeding after sex, pain or burning sensation when urinating, need to urinate more frequently, vaginal discharge that is yellow or bloody, cramps, bleeding between periods, nausea or vomiting and fever.

Complications: If left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to infertility in both men and women. In women, untreated gonorrhea often leads to pelvic inflammatory disease, which increases your risk of ectopic pregnancy and infertility. In men, gonorrhea that is not treated often leads to inflammation of the testicles (epididymitis), which can lead to infertility. The infection can also spread to the rest of the body and cause joint inflammation as well as infect the heart valves and/or the brain.

Facts About Chlamydia

Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention estimates that more than 3 million cases of Chlamydia occur every year.

Type of Infection: Bacterial; from the Chlamydia trachoma strain which lives in vaginal fluid and semen.

Mode of Transmission: Mainly through vaginal and anal sex; although it is much less common, it can also be passed on via oral sex and hand to eye contact.

Symptoms: Chlamydia is known as the "silent" disease since up to 75% of women and 50% of men infected with it display no symptoms. When there are any Chlamydia signs and symptoms, it is most likely abnormal vaginal or penile discharge (mucus or pus) and painful urination. Symptoms of Chlamydia in women can also include abdominal pain, low-grade fever, pain during intercourse and the need to urinate more often.

Complications: If left untreated, the infection can move further into the body. In women, Chlamydia can affect the cervix, fallopian tubes and urine canal and can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can increase your risk of an ectopic pregnancy infertility and chronic pelvic pain.

STD Facts

Source: Life Cycle Books, 2000

· Women with STDs suffer greater physical trauma than men.

· An infant born to a mother who has an STD is at risk of contracting the disease during the birthing process and can lead to serious problems for the baby. It is also possible for a newborn to contract an STD while breast-feeding if the mom is infected.

· Some STDs are NOT curable and can eventually cause death, but most can be treated or cured with antibiotics.

· Presently AIDS is the only STD 100% fatal to those infected and STD infection increases the possibility of contracting AIDS.

· 15 million new STD cases are reported each year - 41,000 per day, but 80% infected do not know their condition.

· Your partner may NOT tell you the truth if he/she has been sexually active in the past.

· Condoms may NOT prevent STD infections and have a 17% failure rate; that's 1 in 6.

· You can have an STD & have no symptoms for weeks, months, or even years...STDs are contagious even though no symptoms exist.

· Teens are much more susceptible to STD damage because they have a lower level of antibodies than adults and 63% of all STDs occur in persons less than 25 years of age.

· STDs are the most common diseases in America next to the common cold and flu and 35 - 50 different kinds of STDs exist.

· 1 in 5 Americans are infected with an STD and 45 million Americans are infected with an incurable STD.

· The only positive defense against contracting STDs is postponing sexual activity until you are married.

If you discover that you have an STD: Seek treatment immediately, stop sexual activity, notify sexual partners (you could be legally liable if you infect someone).

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