STIs (formerly known as STDs – or sexually transmitted diseases) now known as sexually transmitted infections – are rising. The rise of these preventable and treatable diseases is found in young people as well as in the elderly. Any time there’s sexual contact with an infected person without proper precautions, the diseases can be spread.
There are a number of factors for the reasons behind this upswing in STDs despite all of the information available on how to prevent them. One of the reasons is because it’s easier for people to connect and hook up now than in years past because of how it easy it can be to meet someone new online.
The three main STDs that are showing up in greater numbers now are syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea. Syphilis is very dangers to pregnant women and can result in the delivery of stillborn babies.
The syphilis bacteria can also be detrimental to your organs, especially your heart – causing damage to the heart valves. If it’s reported to the doctor, antibiotics can treat this disease.
Chlamydia is next on the list of STDs that are rising. This is the sexually transmitted disease that is the most often reported to doctors. It can cause infertility among women. In recent Center for Disease Control reports, the statistics for sexually transmitted diseases show a jump in chlamydia cases. When the statistics are broken down by age groups, teens between the ages of 15 to 19 had the highest reported cases of the disease.
Gonorrhea was once thought to be a sexually transmitted disease that was under control, but recent news has revealed that not only is this STD on the rise, but there is some concern that it’s becoming resistant to the medications that treat it.
One of the safest ways to protect yourself from the risk of getting one of these sexually transmitted diseases is to make sure that you don’t practice unsafe sex. Getting a sexually transmitted disease can also make it easier for you to get HIV and some research studies are showing a link between STDs and getting HIV.
Protect yourself through the use of contraceptive measures. If you’re a woman, even if you’re on birth control, insist that your partner use a condom or use a female condom. If you plan to be with someone new, ask that your partner get tested before you have sex (and don’t take their word for it — ask to see the paperwork). The best way to protect yourself from contracting a STI is to not have spur of the moment sex with someone new and limit your sexual partners to people you trust who also practice safe sex habits.