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Syphilis
- What it is: An infection caused by small organisms, which can spread throughout the body.
- How many get it: About 70,000 new cases each year.
- Signs: In the first phase, sores (chancre) may appear on the genitals or mouth several weeks to three months after exposure, lasting for one to five weeks. Often, however, there are no noticeable symptoms. In the second stage, up to 10 weeks after the initial sore has disappeared, a variety of symptoms can appear, including a rash (often on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, or genital area).
- How it's spread: Through unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex and also through kissing if there is a lesion on the mouth.
- Treatment: Antibiotic treatment can cure the disease if it's caught early, but medication can't undo damage the disease has already done. Both partners must be treated at the same time.
- Possible consequences: Increased risk of HIV infection. If syphilis is left untreated, the symptoms will disappear, but the germ will remain within the body and progress into the third stage, which may seriously damage the brain, heart, and nervous system, and possibly cause death. It can also seriously harm a developing fetus during pregnancy.
Trichomoniasis ("Trich")
- What it is: A parasitic infection of the genital area.
- How many get it: As many as 5 million new cases each year.
- Signs: Often there are no symptoms, especially in men. Some women note a frothy, smelly, yellowish-green vaginal discharge, and/or genital area discomfort, usually within 4 days to one month after exposure to the parasite. Men may notice a discharge from the penis.
- How it's spread: Through unprotected vaginal intercourse.
- Treatment: Antibiotics can cure the infection. Both partners need to be treated at the same time to prevent passing the infection back and forth and both partners need to abstain from intercourse until the infection is gone.
- Possible consequences: Increased risk of HIV infection; can cause complications during pregnancy. Also, it's common for this infection to happen again and again.
HealthyPlace.com: Sexually Transmitted Diseases: What's Your Risk:.
Emergency
Think you may have a sexually transmitted disease? Arrange a medical visit immediately, or call the Planned Parenthood Hotline at 1-800-230-PLAN for a referral to a confidential, low-cost clinic. Other hotlines for more information: the National STD Hotline, 1-800-227-8922; the National HPV and Cervical Cancer Prevention Hotline, 1-877-HPV-5868; or the National Herpes Hotline, 1-919-361-8488.
Worried that you may be HIV-positive, or that you may have been exposed to the virus? Get tested for HIV. Remember that tests are either "anonymous" or "confidential" and there are different kinds of tests. If you need help finding a place to be tested, or you have questions, call the CDC's National AIDS Hotline at 1-800-342-AIDS, or the National Teenage AIDS Hotline at 1-800-440-TEEN.
next: Sexual Orientation: "Am I Gay (Lesbian) because I think about it?"
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