"That can't happen to me! Other people get Herpes and HIV and Chlamydia or any of the over 50 sexually contracted diseases, right?"
"I have only had a few relationships and I know that I couldn't have an STD, right?"
"He told me he was never with anybody else and I believe him!"
Are you or will you be infected by an STD? Sexually transmitted diseases (STD's) are spreading like wildfire. Even more scary... most STDs can be "silent", causing no noticeable symptoms. These asymptomatic infections can be diagnosed only through testing.
FACTS:
- Each year, one in four teens contracts an STD.
- One in two sexually active persons will contract an STD by age 25.
- The estimated number of people living in the US with a viral STD is over 65 million. Every year, there are at least 19 million new cases of STDs, many of which are incurable.
- Genital Herpes has infected 45million people ages 12 and older. There is currently no cure for herpes.
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| Herpes 1 Virus |
"Simply put, condoms fail. And condoms fail at a rate unacceptable for me as a physician to endorse them as a strategy to be promoted as meaningful AIDS protection." Dr. Robert Renfield, chief of retro-viral research, Walter Reed Army Institute
"Saying the use of condoms is 'safe sex' is in fact playing Russian roulette. A lot of people will die in this dangerous game." Dr. Teresa Crenshaw, member of the U.S. Presidential AIDS Commission and past president of the American Association of Sex Educators
MYTH: If I've only been sexually active with one person, I can't get an STD.
FACT: If that person has had any sexual contact with even one other person, you can get an STD.
MYTH: STDs are treatable and can always be seen or felt.
FACT: Some STDs are treatable; however many are lifelong diseases, for which there is no cure. Many STDs, for example Chlamydia, can cause a serious infection without you knowing, AND can be passed to another person.
MYTH: If I use protection, I won't get an STD.
FACT: Even if a condom is used every single time you have sex, you still are at risk for contracting an STD.
MYTH: As long as I don't have sexual intercourse, I can't get an STD.
FACT: You can get STDs from oral sex or any sexual contact or even kissing (Herpes 1).
We have a new program at the Crisis Pregnancy Center called "NO REGRETS" to equip young men and women with the information they need to know! If you questions or would like to speak to someone or get more information on our NO REGRETS program, referrals for testing or counseling, call LaNell 1-760-568-2200 or 1-888-956-HELP or email answers@choiceline.org or text 1-760-567-9085. All inquiries held in the strictest confidence.
