• Chlamydia—often no symptoms—can cause sterility in men and women
• Herpes—cannot be cured--passed through kissing, intimate touching and unprotected vaginal and oral sex
• Gonorrhea—often no symptoms—can cause sterility; heart problems; brain, spinal cord, and joint swelling
• Hepatitis B—Fever, achy muscles, vomiting and diarrhea—can cause liver damage
• Human Papilloma Virus (Genital Warts)—small bumps in the genital area—increase risk of cervical and other cancers, can be removed but may come back
• Syphillis—Can be passed through kissing and unprotected vaginal and oral sex—early sign is sore on vagina, penis, mouth, anus—can cause brain damage and nervous system problems
• HIV/AIDS—Can’t tell by looking at someone if they have AIDS—passed through unprotected sex and sharing needles—having another STD increases your risk of getting HIV
  Visit www.aids.org or www.advocatesforyouth.org for more information.

For testing and/or treatment, see your family doctor.

• STDs are the most common diseases in America next to the common cold and flu
• 1 in 5 Americans are presently infected with an STD
• 15 million new STD cases are reported each year – 41,000 per day
• 65 million Americans are infected with an incurable STD
• 35-50 different kinds of STDs exist
• 20 different STDs are rampant among the young
• 63% of all STDs occur in persons less than 25 years of age
• STDs infect 3 million teenagers a year
• 80% infected with an STD do not develop the initial symptoms
• STDs are contagious even though no symptoms exist
• New strains of STDs are resistant to treatment
• STDs often cause chronic pain and permanent damage
• STD infection increases the possibility of contracting AIDS
• Some STDs are incurable and may eventually kill

• BEWARE... Your partner may not know he/she has an STD…80% infected do not know their condition
• BEWARE... Your partner may not tell you the truth if he/she has been sexually active in the past
• BEWARE... STDs are not prevented with condom use: 1. Some STDs transmit skin-to-skin; 2. Condoms have a 17% failure rate; that’s 1 in 6.
• BEWARE... You can have an STD and have no symptoms for weeks, months, possibly years. STDs are contagious even though no symptoms exist.
• BEWARE... Teens are more susceptible to STD damage because they have a lower level of antibodies than adults
• BEWARE... It is extremely important to see a doctor for a check-up if you or your partner have had a sexual experience outside of marriage even though no symptoms exist.

If you engage in premarital sexual activity you are very likely to contract an STD, you may have an STD and not realize it until it’s "too late", or you could be legally liable if you infect someone.

The CDC National STD Hotline: 1-800-227-8922