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Be Smart, Be Well - Raising Awareness about Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are caused by infections that are passed from one person to another during sexual contact. STDs can be caused from bacteria, parasites or viruses. If left untreated, STDs can lead to serious long-term health conditions such as infertility, cervical cancer, human papillomavirus (pap-ah-LO-mah-VYErus) (HPV), HIV and others.

Types of STDs
There are more than 20 types of STDs. If you are sexually active, you can decrease your risk of getting an STD by using condoms. Speak with your Primary Care Provider (PCP) or specialist about ways to protect yourself against STDs.

Chlamydia (kluh-mid-ee-uh)	Gonorrhea (gon-o-RHEE-a)
Herpes Simplex (HSV)	HIV/AIDS
Human Papillomaviruses (HPV)	Syphilis
Trichomoniasis (trik-uh-muh-NAHY-uhsis)

Know your risk

Over 19 million new cases of STDs are diagnosed each year in the United States
with half of the cases occurring in young people ages 15 to 24. Speak with your PCP or specialist about protecting yourself from STDs.

Some risk factors for STDs include:
Being sexually active at an early age Having unprotected sex Having a history of an STD Having multiple sex partners	Sharing injectable drug needles Using alcohol or recreational drugs Meeting people in public places for sex

Educate yourself to prevent and reduce the spread of STDs

Learn about the ways you can protect yourself from STDs.
If you are sexually active, practice safe sex to reduce your risk of getting a STD. Condoms provide the best method to protect you from getting STDs. Speak to your Primary Care Provider (PCP) or specialist about STDs and ask about protection, counseling, treatment and testing.	Get tested if you are at risk. Many STDs have no symptoms. Make STD testing a part of your routine medical care. Birth control pills do not protect you from getting an STD. Don’t be afraid to talk openly and honestly with your partner about STDs.

Live Healthy