Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are caused by a variety of bacteria, viruses, and other organisms. STDs caused by bacteria can be cured by antibiotics. These include:
Some STDs are caused by viruses and cannot be cured. They include:
While many of these diseases
cannot be cured, many can be treated to relieve
symptoms and help prevent complications. If
untreated, STDs can have consequences ranging
from mild brief illness to serious complications
such as infertility, tubal pregnancy, cancer,
stroke, and death. Many STDs are passed to
infants from their infected mothers.
STDs are passed from one person to another
through vaginal, anal or oral sex, but generally
not by kissing. Most STDs cause no symptoms, at
first, and persons do not know they are infected
until they are tested or complications occur. A
person has a much greater chance of catching HIV
if he or she already has another STD. Similarly,
HIV is more easily transmitted to others if the
infected person also has another STD.
Consumer Warning about Nonoxynol-9, or N-9
Many
models of
condoms are
lubricated with solutions containing
nonoxynol-9. In this role, it has been
promoted as a backup method for pregnancy
and prevention in the event of condom
failure. However, a
2001 World Health Organization study
concluded that:
There is
no published scientific evidence that
N-9-lubricated condoms provide any
additional protection against pregnancy or
sexually transmitted infections compared
with condoms lubricated with other products.
Since adverse effects due to the addition of
N-9 to condoms cannot be excluded, such
condoms should no longer be promoted.
STD Program Purpose
The STD Control Program strives
to reduce the frequency of STDs and their
complications, and ultimately to eliminate STD
and HIV transmission for our clients.
Services
The STD Control Program
undertakes a variety of activities to prevent
STDs and their complications. Many of these
activities are required by Michigan Law.
Clinical Services
Clients desiring testing should
make appointments with their family physicians
or an urgent care center. People without a
health care provider having symptoms of unusual
discharge may speak with a clinic nurse
regarding appropriate testing and treatment. It
is greatly important that treatment for
infection and treatment of sexual partners is
completed. We also offer a follow-up testing
in 90 days if needed. This Agency no longer has
a scheduled clinic service.
Pregnant women, adolescents,
and males are given priority for testing and
treatment. Pregnant women will be referred to
their physician, but if they have not yet
established service, they will be assessed in
consultation with the Medical Director. Efforts
will be made to determine eligibility of each
client for referrals for health care access and
free clinic services.
Surveillance
This program collects STD
case/lab reports from health care providers,
monitors lab data, and analyzes local trends in
STDs to guide prevention priorities and
strategic interventions.
Partner Management
To intervene in the spread of
STD and HIV in the community, the STD Control
Program offers a partner assistance and referral
program and can help notify sex partners of
persons with HIV and other selected STDs, offer
prevention counseling, and encourage the
partners examination and/or treatment.
Education and Training
The STD Control Program offers
STD education/prevention information for local
health care providers, other health care
professionals, and selected student groups or
public groups as requested.
All information is general
and is not intended to be used as a substitute
for appropriate professional exams and advice.
Questions and Answers for Teens about STD's
and Sex
Local Disease Statistics
Information
is available for all incidence of reportable
diseases as well as other selected
statistical information for the tri-county
area.
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