What is a sexually transmitted disease (STD)?

An STD is an illness that is spread through sexual contact.

How can sexually transmitted diseases be avoided?

1. The less sexual partners a person has, the lower the risk of infection from a STD.
   
   
2. Most sexually transmitted diseases can be avoided to a large extent by practicing safe sex and by using a condom.
   
   
3. Most sexually transmitted diseases can be cured if they are diagnosed and treated in their early stages.
   

The most common diseases and their symptoms are described below:

HIV and AIDS

AIDS is a potentially lethal sexually transmitted disease and is caused by the HIV virus. HIV invades and destroys the immune system, which protects the body from infection. This means that a person who carries the HIV virus is prone to many different illnesses and may die from diseases that are harmless to healthy people.

AIDS is still most widespread south of the Sahara in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean islands, and is more common among homosexual and bisexual men. However, in more developed countries the disease is becoming more frequent among heterosexuals, especially young people. In the UK, new cases of HIV are now more prevalent among heterosexuals.

Intravenous drug users and people with many different partners are particularly at risk from HIV. The virus is found in bodily fluids such as blood, sperm and vaginal secretions, and can pass through little scratches that may occur during sexual intercourse.

Although they vary considerably, the symptoms include:

1. fever
   
   
2. diarrhoea
   
   
3. sweating at night
   
   
4. loss of weight
   
   
5. swollen glands
   
   
6. general discomfort.
   
   

The diagnosis is made when the HIV antibody is found in the blood. The test is not usually positive until 6 to 12 weeks after infection.

There is no cure for HIV and AIDS, but the earlier the diagnosis is made, the easier it is for the doctors to help. Today, efficient treatments exist that increase quality of life and prolong life itself. Anyone who is infected with HIV should only have safe sex using barrier protection and inform all previous partners about their infection.

How to avoid sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

Avoid high-risk behaviours and practise safe sex.

1. Though not necessarily practical or desirable, abstinence is the only way to completely prevent STDs.
   
   
2. Avoid sex with many different partners.
   
   
3. Always use condoms.