by Jarred James Breaux

Created on: August 16, 2009

The terms sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) refer to infections which are passed along from one person to another during sex. There are several types of infections, many of which are incurable and a few which lead to death.

The most important and the most dangerous sexually transmitted infection is the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). HIV attacks and destroys the immune system of an individual, leaving that person susceptible to a multitude of illnesses. While HIV does not kill you directly, it destroys your only defense against disease: your immune system. A person with HIV may not show any symptoms whatsoever for years. There were 38,490 cases of AIDS in individuals between the ages of 13 and 24-years-old in the United States in December of 2003. It is estimated that 15,000 new infections occur each year to individuals within this age group.

Another sexually transmitted infection is known as genital herpes. Genital herpes is an infection which causes painful sores and blisters following days of itching and tingling. Breakouts occur within three to five days of infection. There is no known cure for genital herpes. It is estimated that there are 4.2 million cases of genital herpes in individuals between the ages of 15 and 24-years-old in the United States. It has been estimated that 600,000 new cases of genital herpes will appear each year in individuals between the ages of 13 and 24-years-old.

Genital warts are caused by a virus known as the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is very contagious and may not produce genital warts. It is dangerous primarily because it is known to cause cervical cancer in infected females. If genital warts do appear, they are small, hard, painless bumps in the pubic regions. It is estimated that there are 9 million cases of genital warts in individuals between the ages of 15 to 24-years-old in the United States. While few vaccinations exists to prevent very few strains of HPV, there is no know cure for this disease.

Gonorrhea is an STI caused by bacteria and can be cured. The bacteria lives in the mucous membranes lining the mouth, throat, vagina, cervix, urethra, and anal track. There are approximately 400,000 new cases of Gonorrhea each year in individuals between the ages of 15 to 24-years-old in the United States. In men, symptoms include pain while urinating and discharges from the penis. In women, symptoms my not appear immediately

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