TWO COMMON STDS
What is chlamydia and how do you get it? Chlamydia is the most common bacterial STD (1). You get it from having sex with an infected person. Babies can get it from their mothers during childbirth. Although most infected people have no symptoms, they can still pass on chlamydia.
What happens if I’m infected with chlamydia? If you are like most people, you will have no symptoms at all. On the other hand, you could have symptoms such as pain when going to the bathroom or a “discharge” coming from your penis or vagina. If you are a female, you may have abdominal pain. This could be from pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), caused by chlamydia. PID can interfere with your ability to get pregnant.(2) Chlamydia also increases your chance of getting HIV.
References
(1) Weinstock H, Berman S, Cates W Jr. Sexually transmitted diseases among American youth: incidence and prevalence estimates, 2000. Perspect Sex Reprod Health; 2004;36(1):6-10.
(2) Westrom L, Eschenbach D. Pelvic inflammatory disease. In: Holmes KK, et al, eds. Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 3rd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 1999:783-809.
What is HPV and how do you get it? Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common viral STD. You get HPV from having sex with an infected person. You can also get it from just “fooling around.” Babies can get it from their mothers during childbirth. Although most infected people have no symptoms, they can still pass on HPV.(1)
What happens if I’m infected? If you are like most people, you will have no symptoms at all. Some people with HPV have warts. These are usually in the genital area. People with HPV can get cervical, vaginal, penile, anal, or oral cancer.(2,3) Babies who get the infection from their mothers can get warts in their throats.(2)
References
(1) Weinstock H, Berman S, Cates W Jr. Sexually transmitted diseases among American youth: incidence and prevalence estimates, 2000. Perspect Sex Reprod Health; 2004;36(1):6-10.
(2) Winer RL, Koutsky LA. Genital human papillomavirus Infection. In: Holmes KK, Sparling PF, Stamm WE, et al., eds. Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 4th ed. New York, NY: McGraw Hill, Co; 2008:489-508.
(3) Pintos J, et al. Human papillomavirus infection and oral cancer: A case-control study in Montreal, Canada. Oral Oncology. 2008;44(3):242-50.
NOTE: Information taken from The Medical Institute (www.medinstitute.org) PLEASE VISIT THEIR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON STDs and STIs.
