|
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (STDs)
Types of STDs
| |
HIV/AIDS |
| Cause & Symptoms |
Caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Symptoms are
swollen lymph glands, fever, night sweats, severe fatigue, weight
loss, white spots in the mouth, and diarrhea. Transmitted by
sexual contact with an infected person. |
| Diagnosis & Treatment |
HIV/AIDS is diagnosed by a blood test. There is no cure.
Drugs can be taken to treat the symptoms and illnesses related
to AIDS. Different from other STDs, AIDS ultimately causes death. |
| Prevention |
Never share needles of any kind. Avoid contact with blood
or wounds. Abstain from sex. If you are sexually active, find
out about your partner's past sexual and drug experiences. Always
use a latex condom with a spermicide containing Nonoxynol-9 every
time you have sex. Remember, even when used correctly, condoms
are not 100% safe. |
| |
|
| |
GONORRHEA |
| Cause & Symptoms |
Caused by a bacteria. Transmitted by sexual contact with
an infected person. Symptoms are abnormal discharge or "drip" from
the penis or vagina, burning when urinating and stomach pain
in women. Symptoms are not always present. Four out of 5 women
with gonorrhea do not have symptoms. |
| Diagnosis & Treatment |
In men, diagnosis is made by examining the discharge from
the penis. In women, the cervix is wiped with a cotton tip which
is examined. Gonorrhea is treated with penicillin. Penicillin
is not a cure; it treats the symptoms. Gonorrhea may cause severe
damage to reproductive organs infertility in women, sterility
in men, heart trouble, skin disease and arthritis if untreated. |
| Prevention |
Do not have sex. If sexually active, know your partner's
history; use latex condoms and foam or jelly every time you have
sex. Limit your number of sex partners. |
| |
|
| |
SYPHILIS |
| Cause & Symptoms |
Caused by a bacteria. Transmitted by sexual contact with
an infected person. Stage One: symptoms are reddish-brown painless
sores on the sex organs, mouth and swollen glands. Stage Two:
develops months later with fever, rash, aches, sore throat, hair
loss and enlarged lymph glands. Stage Three: develops years later;
slowly causes heart, blood vessel and brain damage. |
| Diagnosis & Treatment |
A sample is scraped from the sore or a blood test can diagnose
syphilis 3-12 weeks after infection. It is treated by penicillin
shots. If stage goes untreated, stage three appears. Syphilis
is dangerous and treatment is necessary for cure. |
| Prevention |
Do not have sex. If sexually active, know your partner's
history; use latex condoms and foam or jelly every time you have
sex. Get treated if infected. Limit your number of sex partners. |
| |
|
| |
HERPES |
| Cause & Symptoms |
Caused by a virus. Transmitted by sexual contact with an
actively infected person. Symptoms are small, red and painful
blisters on sex organs and surrounding areas, rectum (genital
herpes) or on mouth (oral herpes). It may be on the fingers,
or any body surface. Flu-like symptoms may also be present. |
| Diagnosis & Treatment |
The blisters are examined and the fluid inside is tested.
Herpes can not be cured, it is controlled by drugs that speed
healing and prevent recurrences. |
| Prevention |
Do not have oral, anal, vaginal sex if you or your partner
has blisters. Use a latex condom between outbreaks. Manage stress;
stress can trigger outbreaks. Limit you number of sex partners. |
| |
|
| |
CHLAMYDIA |
| Cause & Symptoms |
Caused by a bacteria. Transmitted by having sex with an infected
person. Symptoms are odorless discharge from the vagina or penis,
burning when urinating, bleeding periods. In the beginning there
are no symptoms. |
| Diagnosis & Treatment |
A sample of the discharge or some cervix cells are examined.
Chlamydia is cured by drugs. You and your partner should be tested
and treated. If it goes untreated a woman can get pelvic inflammatory
disease (PID). PID can cause tubal pregnancies and sterility.
Males can also become sterile. |
| Prevention |
Abstain from sex. If you are sexually active, use a condom
with foam or jelly. Know your partner's sexual history. Limit
your number of sex partners. |
| |
|
| |
VENEREAL/GENITAL WARTS |
| Cause & Symptoms |
Caused by a virus. Transmitted by sexual contact, skin to
skin contact with genital warts. Symptoms are small, bumpy warts
on the penis, vagina, cervix, in and around the rectum and throat.
Sometimes they are so tiny they are not noticed. |
| Diagnosis & Treatment |
A medical exam is necessary for diagnosis. Warts are removed
with chemicals, burning, freezing, lasers or minor surgery. Warts
that are not removed can spread. The sooner they are removed,
the better. |
| Prevention |
Abstain from sex. If you are sexually active, use a latex
condom, and foam or jelly. Wash exposed areas before and after
contact. Limit you number of sex partners. |
| |
|
| |
CRABS/PUBIC LICE |
| Cause & Symptoms |
Caused by parasites that live in pubic hair, armpits or eyebrows.
Transmitted by close contact, sharing clothes and bedding of
an infected person. Symptoms are itching, lice in hair, pin-sized
blood spots on unerwear. |
| Diagnosis & Treatment |
It is treated with special lotions or shampoos from your
doctor or pharmacy. All clothes and sheets must be washed and
sterilized. |
| Prevention |
Do not have close contact, share clothes or bed with an infected
individual. |
| |
|
| |
NGU (Non-Gonococcal Urethritis) |
| Cause & Symptoms |
Caused by a bacteria. Symptoms are abnormal discharge from
penis while urinating, itching. Usually women do not have symptoms.
It is transmitted through sexual contact. |
| Diagnosis & Treatment |
Diagnosis is made by a medical examination and test. It is
treated by drugs (antibiotics). You and your partner should be
treated. If it is not treated, it may cause damage to the reproductive
organs, sterility and infertility. |
| Prevention |
Abstain from sex. If you are sexually active use a latex
condom every time you have sex with a foam or jelly. Know your
partner's sexual history. Limit your number of sex partner. |
| |
|
| |
VAGINITIS |
| Cause & Symptoms |
Vaginitis is a general tern for infections of the vagina.
It is caused by a fungus or bacteria. Most common causes of vaginitis
are yeast infections, trichomoniasis ("trich") and
hemophilus (gardnerella). Symtoms are abnormal discharge, itching,
burning and odor. It is transmitted by sex, deodorant sprays,
soaps and tampons. |
| Diagnosis & Treatment |
Diagnosis is made by a medical professional. Treatments range
from creams to oral medication depending on the cause. Your partner
needs to be treated, also. If it is not treated, it won't cause
any severe health problems. See a doctor to be sure you don't
have other diseases. |
| Prevention |
You can help prevent vaginiitis by practicing good hygiene.
If sexually active, use a latex condom. |
| |
|
| |
CONTROL STDs |
| Cause & Symptoms |
STDs are caused by bacteria, fungus or viruses. They are
usually spread by anal, oral, or vaginal sex. Common symptoms
are discharge, burning, itching, lumps and bumps, sores and abdominal
pain. REMEMBER you may have a STD and no symptoms! |
| Diagnosis & Treatment |
Go to a doctor or clinic as soon as you or your partner have
symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to help
prevent spreading the disease and future health problems. |
| Prevention |
The best protection is not to have vaginal, anal or oral
sex, especially with an infected partner. If you are sexually
active use a latex condom with foam or jelly, know your partner's
sexual past, and limit your number of sex partners. |
Myths and Facts
Myth: STDs are minor diseases.
Fact: STDs can become major health problems.
Myth: If symptoms go away on their own, you're cured.
Fact: Only treatment can cure STDs.
Myth: You can treat STDs yourself.
Fact: Only a medical doctor can diagnose and treat STDs.
Myth: Toilet seats, door knobs and hot tubs spread STDs.
Fact: STDs are almost always spread by sex.
Myth: You know if you have an STD.
Fact: Some symptoms don't show up until they are serious.
Myth: It won't happen to me.
Fact: Anybody can get an STD. It's up to you to prevent it.
For additional information call the STD Hotline: (212) 427-5120.
Free STD Clinics
NYC Department of
Health and Mental Hygiene
Sexually Transmitted Disease Control Program
Confidential STD Testing and Treatment
Confidential and Anonymous HIV
Counseling and Testing
(Clinic hours may vary, please call ahead!)
| Bronx |
Morrisania |
| |
1309 Fulton Ave., 2nd Fl. (E. 168th
St.)
Bronx, NY 10456
(718) 579-7714
Bx55 or Bx15 bus to 169th St./Third Ave. |
| |
STD Services & HIV Counseling & Testing
Mon. - Fri. 8:00am-4:00pm, Sat. 8:30am-1:30pm
Hepatitis screening and vaccines available |
| |
|
| Brooklyn |
Crown Heights |
| |
1218 Prospect Place, 2nd Fl. (Troy
Ave.)
Brooklyn, NY 11213
(7l8) 735-0580
3, 4, A or C train to Utica Ave. |
| |
STD Services & HIV Counseling & Testing
Mon. - Fri. 8:30am-4:30pm |
| |
|
| |
Fort Greene |
| |
295 Flatbush Ave. Ext., 5th Fl. (Willoughby)
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 643-4133
2, 3 or 5 train to Nevins St. or
N, R or D train to DeKalb Ave. |
| |
STD Services & HIV Counseling & Testing
Mon. - Fri. 8:30am-4:30pm, Sat. 8:30am-1:30pm |
| |
|
| Manhattan |
Central Harlem |
| |
2238 Fifth Ave., 3rd Fl. (137th St.)
New York, NY 10037
(212) 690-1760
2 train to 135th St. |
| |
STD Services & HIV Counseling & Testing
Mon. - Fri. 8:30am-4:30pm |
| |
|
| |
East Harlem |
| |
158 E. 115th St., 1st Fl. (Lexington
Ave.)
New York, NY 10029
(212) 360-5962
6 train to 116th St. |
| |
STD Services
Tue., Wed. & Thu., 8:30am-4:30pm
HIV Counseling & Testing
Mon. - Fri. 8:30am-4:30pm |
| |
|
| |
Chelsea |
| |
303 Ninth Ave., 2nd Fl. (W. 28th
St.)
New York, NY 10001
(212) 239-1718/1725
C or E train to 23rd St. or
1 or 9 train to 28th St. |
| |
STD Services & HIV Counseling & Testing
Mon. - Fri. 8:30am-4:30pm, Sat. 9:00am-2:00pm |
| |
|
| |
Riverside |
| |
160 W. 100th St. (Columbus/Amsterdam)
New York, NY 10025
(212) 865-7757
1, 2, 3 or 9 train to 96th St. |
| |
STD Services & HIV Counseling & Testing
Mon. - Fri. 8:30am-4:30pm
Hepatitis screening and vaccines available; call for info |
| |
|
| Queens |
Corona |
| |
34-33 Junction Blvd. (Northern Blvd.)
Jackson Heights, NY 11372
7 train to Junction Blvd., Q72 bus to 35th Ave. |
| |
STD Services (718) 476-7815
Tue. & Fri. 8:00am-4:00pm
HIV Counseling & Testing (718) 476-7627
Mon. - Fri. 8:30am-4:30pm |
| |
|
| |
Jamaica |
| |
90-37 Parsons Blvd., 1st Fl. (Jamaica
Ave.)
Jamaica, NY 11432
(718) 262-5572
E, S, J train to Parsons Blvd. |
| |
STD Services & HIV Counseling & Testing
Mon. - Fri. 8:00am-4:30pm, Sat. 8:30am-1:30pm |
| |
|
| |
Rockaway |
| |
67-19 Rockaway Blvd. (Addabbo Health
Center)
Queens, NY 11692
(718) 945-7150
A train to Beach 67th St. |
| |
STD Services & HIV Counseling & Testing
Mon. - Fri. 9:00am-5:00pm |
| |
|
| Staten Island |
Richmond |
| |
51 Stuyvesant Place, 1st Fl. (Wall
St.)
Staten Island, NY 10301
(718) 420-4438/4995 |
| |
HIV Counseling & Testing
Mon. - Fri. 8:30am-4:30pm
STD Services
Mon. & Thu. 1:00pm-4:00pm
Rapid HIV Testing and Emergency Contraception are available. |
- Adolescents DO NOT need parental consent for examination
and treatment.
- Proof of citizenship or immigration status NOT required.
- No insurance necessary, services are FREE.
|
|
