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.
This Agency no longer has a scheduled clinic
service.
Surveillance
This program collects STD case/lab reports from health care providers, monitors lab data, and analyzes local trends in STD’s to guide prevention priorities and interventions.
Partner Management
To intervene in the spread of STD and HIV in the community, the STD Control Program notifies the sex partners of persons with HIV and other selected STDs, offers prevention counseling, and emphasizes the partner’s 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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