Changes

'''Sexually transmitted diseases''' (STDs) are illnesses transmitted by sexual contact. STDs comprise a large and diverse set of disease entities which include [[virus]]es, bacteria, protozoa, and arthropods.  Many of these diseases can cause great harm before symptoms are detected.  

'''Sexually transmitted diseases''' (STDs) are illnesses transmitted by sexual contact. STDs comprise a large and diverse set of disease entities which include [[virus]]es, bacteria, protozoa, and arthropods.  Many of these diseases can cause great harm before symptoms are detected.  

Most STDs cause infertility, making it impossible ever to have children. A majority of teenagers who have sex are infected with an STD.<ref>4 out of 10 teenagers are sexually active; over half of this 40% (25% of all teenagers) have an STD.[http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/health_med_fit/article_96d0ee57-e3dc-59d7-a5ec-e5cbc5b71ffc.html]</ref>

[[Chlamydia]], the most common STD, can cause infertility in both men and women, making it impossible ever to have children. [[Gonorrhea]], another very common STD, may also have this risk. A majority of US teenagers who admit to having sex are infected with an STD.<ref>4 out of 10 teenagers are sexually active; over half of this 40% (25% of all teenagers) have an STD.[http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/health_med_fit/article_96d0ee57-e3dc-59d7-a5ec-e5cbc5b71ffc.html]</ref>

The incidence of [[gonorrhea]] in the United States peaked during the [[Carter administration]], but began dropping during the [[Reagan administration|Reagan years]]. The [[chlamydia]] rate overtook gonorrhea during the [[Bill Clinton|Clinton years]]. <ref>http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats/tables/table1.htm</ref>

The incidence of [[gonorrhea]] in the United States peaked during the [[Carter administration]], but began dropping during the [[Reagan administration|Reagan years]]. The [[chlamydia]] rate overtook gonorrhea during the [[Bill Clinton|Clinton years]]. <ref>http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats/tables/table1.htm</ref>

'''Chlamydia trachomatis (chlamydia)'''

'''Chlamydia trachomatis (chlamydia)'''

This presents similarly to gonorrhea, but is often asymptomatic, and is commonly without the patient knowing they are ill.  There are three different sub-types of the [[bacteria]] [[Chlamydia Trachomatis|Chlamydia trachomatis]] that cause [[Lymphogranuloma Venereum|lymphogranuloma venereum ]].<ref>http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000634.htm</ref>  Lymphogranuloma venereum is one of the maladies associated with [[Gay Bowel Syndrome|gay bowel syndrome]].<ref>http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000634.htm</ref>

This presents similarly to gonorrhea, but is often asymptomatic, and is commonly carried without the patient knowing they are ill. This makes it especially dangerous as these carriers tend to continue the behaviour that got them infected in the first place, spreading the disease to their other sexual partners. Chlamydia is the most common STD in the developed world and can cause a number of severe complications, including infertility in both sexes.  There are three different sub-types of the [[bacteria]] [[Chlamydia Trachomatis|Chlamydia trachomatis]] that cause [[Lymphogranuloma Venereum|lymphogranuloma venereum ]].<ref>http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000634.htm</ref>  Lymphogranuloma venereum is one of the maladies associated with [[Gay Bowel Syndrome|gay bowel syndrome]].<ref>http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000634.htm</ref>

'''Treponema pallidum (syphillis)'''

'''Treponema pallidum (syphillis)'''

The only completely effective means of preventing the transmission of STDs is abstinence from sex until marriage and fidelity thereafter.   

The only completely effective means of preventing the transmission of STDs is abstinence from sex until marriage and fidelity thereafter.   

Other [[Methods of contraception]] are less effective protection against STDs (including HIV), but can be completely ineffective against some STDs (such as pubic lice).  When improperly used, or if damaged, they are completely ineffective.

Of the other [[Methods of contraception]], only condoms offer any protection against STDs (including HIV), but are be completely ineffective against STDs such as pubic lice which are transmitted by simple body contact and do not require sex to occur.  When improperly used, or if damaged, they are completely ineffective both as contraception and as STD protection. Even with perfect use (which is rare) around 2% of condoms will be damaged during sex.

Vaccines are not widely available for STDs. An [[HPV vaccine]] has recently been released for protection against certain, but not all, strains of HPV, though the long term efficacy of this controversial vaccine is disputed.

Vaccines are not widely available for STDs. An [[HPV vaccine]] has recently been released for protection against certain, but not all, strains of HPV, though the long term efficacy of this controversial vaccine is disputed.