Good Ol' STD's

You're going to college, and dreams of hot hook-ups, crazy parties, and the lifestyle you've always wanted dance around in your mind.  This new found freedom is great and you feel invincible, livin' it up, and going to class becomes quite the burden.  We've all been there.  While this independence feels fantastic, and you're sure you'll never be one of "those stories" of contracting some disease at school, it's time to face the facts.  1 in 4 students will have a sexually transmitted disease at some point in their college career, and that's horrifying.  The Center for Disease Control (CDC) sees this as a major problem in today's schools, mostly because of miseducation and poor decision making as a result of being under the influence while getting hot and bothered between the sheets.
MOST COMMON STD'S:
1.  Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the cause of genital warts and cervical cancer is considered the most transmittable STD.  This is an incurable virus spread through sexual contact usually with no symptoms.  Many girls now get a set of 3 shots over a few months to protect them from this disease.

2.  Chlamydia is a bacterial STD, caught through vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse.  If left untreated, permanent damage can result in both men and women's reproductive organs.  This is easily cured with antibiotics.

                             (couldn't find a picture that didn't make me want to barf)
3.  Genital herpes is NOT curable and it is thought that 1 in 5 college students are infected since it is as easy to catch as chlamydia.  Redness and multiple blisters form around the genital area.

OTHER COMMON STD'S:
-Trich is a parasitic infection of the genitals often accompanied by a frothy, smelly and yellowish-green vaginal discharge in women.  Men may experience a slight discharge, burning after urination or ejaculation, and irritation of the penis.  This can only be contracted through vaginal intercourse and is treated with a dose of antibiotics.  If left untreated, as with all other infections, trich can cause complications during pregnancy and make is easier to contract other infections.

-Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection of the genitals, anus, or throat and usually does not show symptoms.  In those which it does present, a burning during urination and white, green or yellow vaginal or penile discharge can be expected.  Women can have irregular bleeding with pelvic pain and men, swollen and painful testicles.  We can be exposed to this through vaginal, oral, or anal sex, or through birth if the mother is infected.  Oral antibiotics are the usual quick-fix but other protection should be used since risk of infection by other diseases is heightened.  If left untreated, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, or an ectopic pregnancy in women may result.  Epididymitis, a condition found in men that can result in infertility can occur.  Babies born to women with this disease may develop eye infections.

-Syphilis is a bacterial infection that spreads throughout the body and begins with a chancre, a painless sore found on or in the genitals, anus, or mouth.  After a few months the sore will disappear and a rash may pop up.  This can become a very serious condition if allowed to progress.  It is transmitted through vaginal, oral, or anal sex, kissing, or a sore in the mouth.  It is also possible for mothers to pass it to their children through birth.  Antibiotics are used to treat syphilis but cannot reverse permanent damage done before the disease is caught.  While infected, an individual is more susceptible to other infections including HIV.  If left untreated, symptoms may disappear but the infection will continue to spread throughout the body and can damage the brain, heart, and nervous system, even resulting in death.

-Hepatitis B is a viral infection affecting the liver and can be acute or chronic.  Most people do not show immediate symptoms, especially adults.  Some may experience tiredness, aches, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, darkening of urine, tenderness of the stomach, and jaundice.  These typically occur 1-6 months after exposure.  Chronic Hepatitis B can take up to 30 years to rear its ugly head but liver damage can still occur silently.  This is transmitted through vaginal, oral, or anal sex, along with child birth if the baby is not vaccinated.  Acute Hep-B is treated with some R&R, eating well, and plenty of fluids.  If one has chronic Hep-B, they will be monitored by a doctor and put on anti-retroviral medications.  Consequences of this disease include an increased risk of infection along with persistent inflammation and later cirrhosis of the liver.

-Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is responsible for causing AIDS.  Most people who are infected do not have any symptoms and feel perfectly fine.  They do not develop until a person's immune system has been compromised.  When symptoms do appear they are usually related to infection and cancer.  This is transmitted through vaginal, oral, or anal sex, as well as sharing contaminated needles.  It can be passed from mother to child during pregnancy or breast feeding.  This is no cure for HIV or AIDS.  Anti-retroviral treatment slows the progression of the disease and can delay the onset of AIDS.  Early detection can increase life expectancy, making it more enjoyable.  This greatly increases the risk of contracting other life-threatening diseases and those with HIV may contract infections they wouldn't otherwise get.  Left untreated, HIV is fatal.

Now that we've covered all that, whether in a monogamous relationship or single, it's always important to take the necessary precautions and protect yourself. So....

Don't be silly, wrap your willy
Cover your stump before you hump
Don't be a loner, cover your boner
Before you attack her, wrap your whacker
If you think she's spunky, cover your monkey
No glove, no love

http://www.itsyoursexlife.com/gyt/the-most-common-stds/
http://joellebrittneysoc340.webs.com/newsandphotos.htm
http://www.stdinfo.org/the-causes-symptoms-and-prevention-of-chlamydia-infection/