TresSugar

Two Surprising STDs on the Rise

Colleen Barrett — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 12:45:16 PST

Yesterday the Centers for Disease Control announced two of the three STDs it tracks are on the rise. While gonorrhea continues its steady decline to all-time lows, dropping another 10 percent last year, chlamydia and syphilis rates are ticking up.

Chlamydia, which is rampant among young people but curable with antibiotics, surprises me far less than syphilis, which I thought was contained to Charles Dickens's novels and the crazy lady in the attic of Jane Eyre. But, actually, it rose 39 percent since 2006.

Unfortunately, STDs travel in subgroups as different races, ages, and sexual orientations are at different risks. While gonorrhea is on the decline among the whole population, the rate among blacks is 20 times higher than whites and almost 10 times higher than Hispanics. Young black women, 15 to 24, are most affected by chlamydia, while men who have sex with men account for nearly two-thirds of syphilis cases.

Whether you're in a high-risk group or not, it seems like concern about STDs has been on the decline for the last decade, even as people are more likely to get an STD from an ex or friend with benefits. Would you say you're more worried or less?

Syphilis Rates on the Rise

DearSugar — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 07:00:00 PDT

There's been a lot of talk about STIs in the news lately, and unfortunately there's more. Studies from the US Centers For Disease Control and Prevention have shown that syphilis rates have increased for the seventh year in a row. There are 3.7 cases of this STI per 100,000 people.

Why is this such bad news? Although syphilis is a bacterial STI that can be treated with antibiotics, having syphilis can increase a person's risk for contracting and passing HIV.
What's worse is that the FDA says that when it comes to protection, condoms seem less effective against syphilis. Why? Because this STI is transmitted through minor cuts or abrasions in your skin or mucous membranes. Having sex with someone who has syphilis is a common way to get it yourself, but it can also be passed on through oral sex or regular kissing (scary, I know).

Dear's Advice: I know this probably makes you never want to go on a date again, but it's not the end of the world. The best thing to do is get tested with your partner for all STIs before becoming intimate (even before making out). If your partner doesn't understand and won't do it, you might want to reconsider your relationship.

Source

Oral Sex Doesn't Equal Safe Sex

DearSugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:00:00 PST

I hate to bring up this not-so-fun topic, but I'm concerned. Many of my friends have dated guys that they wouldn't have sex because they were worried about STIs, but they didn't seem the least bit worried about having oral sex. When your mouth has contact with someone else's business, you can very well get a whole plethora of STIs - the problem is that many of these sexually transmitted infections are asymptomatic, which means you can't tell if someone is infected just by looking at them. That also means an infected person may not realize they even have an STI so they let their partner perform oral sex on them while unknowingly and accidentally passing the infection on to them.

Which STIs can be passed on through oral sex? To find out

read more. Gonorrhea: I know this is gross, but if you perform oral sex on an infected person, you can get gonorrhea of the throat. Chlamydia: This can also infect the throat in the same way. Genital Herpes: This STI is passed by skin-to-skin contact with a developing or existing sore. Unfortunately, even when there are no sores present, an infected person can still pass it on to their partner. Genital Warts (HPV): This can be passed on when an uninfected person touches infected skin on their partner's genitals. So you don't even have to be having vaginal or oral sex in order to get HPV from someone else. Syphilis: If a person performs oral sex on someone who's infected, and they come in contact with an open sore or a skin rash, they can get syphilis, too. Since lesions can appear on the genitals and on the lips and mouth, that means you can even get it from kissing an infected person. HIV: This potentially deadly STI can be passed on through blood (including menstrual fluid), semen, vaginal fluid, or breast milk. So if a person performs oral pleasure on an infected person, and if they have a cut or sore in their mouth or on their gums, then they can contract HIV, too. I know this is all very scary information, but knowing the facts will help keep you safe. Before becoming sexually active, you and your partner should get tested. It'll show that you respect one another, that you're responsible, and your sense of relief will make it all worth while when you do share that kind of intimacy. Dear's Advice: If you are planning on having oral sex even though you're not sure about your partner's STI history, using male and female condoms and dental dams can reduce your risk tremendously. Source

STI Facts

DearSugar — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 10:40:24 PDT

If you are sexually active, it's a sad fact that we need to watch out for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

Knowledge is prevention, so take this quiz to test your understanding of STIs.

Take the Quiz

STIs Explained: Syphilis

FitSugar — Tue, 15 May 2007 17:15:00 PDT

Since Spring has arrived and romance is in the air, let's talk more about STIs.

STI stands for "sexually transmitted infection." The reason this term is used instead of STDs (sexually transmitted disease) is because the word "infection" is more accurate since many of these are actually curable (except for Genital Herpes, Genital Warts, and HIV). Also, the word "infection" carries less of a negative social stigma than the word "disease."

STIs like Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Genital Herpes, and Genital Warts are 100% avoidable, so your best bet is to abstain from vaginal, anal, or oral sex altogether. Since that's not much fun (and not going to happen), it's a good idea for you and your partner to get tested for all STIs before you have sex.

Using latex or polyurethane condoms is also a great idea, but not completely effective. Being in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone you know is uninfected will keep you safe and STI-free.

Make sure to see your gynecologist annually to get tested, because early detection of syphilis (in the first stage) can help prevent permanent organ damage to the heart, eyes, brain, nervous system, bones and joints.

Want to know about Syphilis? Then

STI	Symptoms	How do you test for it?	Treatment
Syphilis	Stage 1: One or more painless reddish-brown sores (called chancres) appear on or near the genitals. Sores can also appear on the lips, mouth and fingertips. Stage 2: A skin rash develops anywhere on the body. Flu-like symptoms such as mild fever, fatigue and sore-throat appear. Stage 3: Late stage symptoms include brain damage, mental illness, blindness, organ damage, heart disease and death.	There are 3 ways to test: a doctor's recognition of its symptoms microscopic identification of syphilis bacteria and blood tests	Since syphilis is a bacterial infection, a single injection of Penicillin or other antibiotic will cure a person who has had syphilis for less than 1 year. Additional doses are needed for someone who's had it longer.

Source

STIs Explained: Chlamydia

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 13:30:00 PDT

Since Spring has arrived and romance is in the air, I thought I'd take the time to talk about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Not your favorite topic, I know, but definitely worth knowing about.

STI stands for "sexually transmitted infection." The reason this term is used instead of STD (sexually transmitted disease) is because the word "infection" is more accurate since many are actually curable (except for Genital Herpes and Genital Warts). Also, the word "infection" carries less of a negative social stigma than the word "disease."

STIs like chlamydia are 100% preventable, so you can either abstain from sex altogether (not realistic), or have you and your partner get tested before you have sex. Chlamydia can be passed through regular sex, and anal and oral sex, so being in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone you know who is uninfected is also a great way to keep yourself safe. When latex or polyurethane condoms are used consistently and correctly, that can also reduce the risk of transmitting chlamydia.

Make sure you see your gynecologist annually to get tested because if chlamydia goes untreated, irreversible damage can occur to a woman's reproductive organs, causing infertility.

Want to know about chlamydia? Then

STI	Symptoms	How do you test for it?	Treatment
Chlamydia (The #1 STI in the U.S.)	Frequently asymptomatic (no symptoms) Vaginal or penile discharge Burning during urination Women may experience lower abdominal pain, pain during intercourse, and irregular bleeding between periods Men may experience pain or swelling in the testicles	Samples of the infected fluid must be taken. Urine tests are now available too (which is good news for guys) but because they're more expensive, they're not yet available at all health clinics.	Since Chlamydia is a bacterial infection, antibiotics taken orally can cure most infections, but another round of antibiotics might need to be taken to get rid of it completely.

Source

Healthy Penises on the Streets of San Francisco

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 02:21:12 PST

It is being reported that a recent advertising campaign done by San Francisco's Department of Health featuring cartoon characters shaped like male genitalia has actually encouraged more men to go get tested for syphilis. Since the campaign got started, infection rates have declined in San Francisco.

The campaigns ran on billboards and bus shelters and its recent success has inspired Seattle, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Palm Springs to use similar ads.

To see more of the actual campaign ads,

View 12 Photos ›

To learn more about the campaign, visit HealthyPenis.org.

Which Friends Thanksgiving Episode Is Your Favorite?

Becky Kirsch — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 03:05:00 PST

Friends has been off the air for awhile now, but I can't help getting a little nostalgic for the show's iconic Thanksgiving episodes this time of year. Almost every season had an amazing Turkey Day show, and I love each one in its own way. There's the time that Joey can't be with his family because he posed for a syphilis ad ("The One Where Underdog Gets Away"), and I have a soft spot for the one where the gang rehashes all of their previous holiday experiences ("The One With All the Thanksgivings"). I'm also partial to the episode where Joey banishes Chandler to a box, and how could I ever count out the year that Brad Pitt made an appearance? I'll never be able to narrow it down, but tell me - what's your favorite Friends Thanksgiving episode?

Grey's Anatomy Rundown, "Heart-Shaped Box"

Diana Nguyen — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 07:42:17 PDT

The doctors of Seattle Grace take a stroll down memory lane this week on Grey's Anatomy when George O'Malley's mother, Louise, returns as a patient. While it's been awhile since George's mere name was uttered through the hospital halls, as Alex so insensitively points out, her presence brings forth tender memories that most of the doctors would rather not think about.

A miracle also arrives in the form of a box - a pumping heart in a box, to be exact. The live organ is harvested for transplant but becomes sort of a career whisperer for Cristina and Jackson. With Mama O'Malley back in the mix and the powers of the heart in the box, I thought this episode lightly tugged on the heartstrings but could have been way more emotional. Though, I really loved how Callie "came out" to her ex-mother-in-law. Ready to break it down? Just keep reading.

Free STD Tests Might Be Coming For Grandma and Grandpa

Annie Scudder — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 09:15:08 PST

Move over knee replacements and diabetes medication. It's time to add tests for syphilis, gonorrhea, or hepatitis B to the list of healthcare afforded America's senior population. The US is considering a plan to cover STD tests under Medicare.

Recent research found that a higher percentage of older Americans remain sexually active, and last year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that while younger Americans have far more STDs, the rates are growing at a much faster pace among older adults. In fact, new STD diagnoses in men over 40 is up almost 50 percent since 1996. Blame it on Viagra.

As more Americans get divorced and stay healthier longer (or take meds when they need some help), they're having more sex with more people. But without the risk of pregnancy, seniors become lazy about practicing safe sex; so as sexual activity rises, so do STD rates.

In addition to Medicare-covered STD test, perhaps the US could implement a PSA campaign similar to the one in the UK. For last year's Sexual Health Week, the UK's Family Planning Association launched ads featuring throw-back fashion and a condom, asking the middle-aged: "Remember wearing this? Then remember to wear this." Just don't pick retro styles most have tried to forget.