Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Your Questions Answered (Q&A Health Guides)

This valuable book provides a delicate introduction to the topic of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), especially as they relate to teens and young adults. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are on the rise globally, despite advances in science, technology, and the pharmaceutical industry. Individuals may not realize they have an STD or may be reluctant to get tested or seek treatment because of the stigma surrounding such conditions. This title in Greenwood's Q&A Health Guides series, Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Your Questions Answered provides clear, concise information for readers who want to learn more about and safeguard their sexual health. In addition to in-depth discussion of all STDs, it covers topics such as prevention, testing, disclosure with partners, and potential long-term consequences. Each book in this series follows a reader-friendly question-and-answer format that anticipates readers' needs and concerns. Prevalent myths and misconceptions are identified and dispelled, and a collection of case studies illustrates key concepts and issues through relatable stories and insightful recommendations. The book also includes a section on health literacy, equipping teens and young adults with practical tools and strategies for finding, evaluating, and using credible sources of health information both on and off the internet—important skills that contribute to a lifetime of healthy decision-making. Series Foreword xi Acknowledgments xiii Introduction xv Guide to Health Literacy xvii Common Misconceptions about STDs xxv Questions and Answers 1 General Information 3 1 What is an STD? 3 2 Is there a difference between an STD and a sexually transmitted infection (STI)? 4 3 How many STDs occur in the United States each year? 6 4 Which STDs are the most common? 7 5 Are there different types of STDs? 8 6 Are there different STDs for men and women? 10 7 Do STDs only happen to young people? 11 8 If I practice anal sex, am I still at risk for STDs? 12 9 What are the risks associated with homosexual sex? 14 10 Does being transgender affect my chances of contracting an STD? 15 11 Can I still get pregnant in the future if I had an STD? 16 12 Can an STD be transmitted to my baby if I get pregnant? 18 13 If neither one of us has an orgasm, can we still get an STD? 21 14 If I had an STD in the past, will it show up on a physical exam or in a blood test later? 22 Different Types of STDs 25 15 What is chlamydia? 25 16 What is gonorrhea? 29 17 What is trichomoniasis? 33 18 What are genital herpes? 35 19 What are genital warts? 41 20 What is syphilis? 45 21 What is Hepatitis B? 52 22 What is Hepatitis C? 55 23 What is HIV? 59 24 What is bacterial vaginosis? 71 25 What are "water warts"? 75 26 What is chancroid? 78 27 What is HPV? 82 28 What is pelvic inflammatory disease? 85 29 What is mucopurulent cervicitis? 88 30 What is lymphogranuloma venereum? 90 31 Is a yeast infection an STD? 93 32 Can men get a yeast infection? 96 33 What are "crabs"? 98 34 What are scabies? 101 Signs, Symptoms, and Diagnosis 105 35 Does everyone always develop symptoms of an STD? 105 36 What are the most common signs and symptoms of an STD? 106 37 Can I be tested for an STD and how? 107 38 How soon can I be tested for an STD after having unprotected sex? 108 39 Is there a test for every STD? 110 40 Can I tell if someone has an STD before having sex with them? 111 Treatment and Prevention 113 41 What should I do if I think I have an STD? 113 42 What can happen if an STD isn't treated? 114 43 Does my partner have to be treated if I have an STD? Or do I have to get treatment if my partner has an STD but I feel OK? 115 44 Can I treat an STD on my own naturally or with over-the-Counter medication? 117 45 Are STDs preventable? 119 46 Does douching after sex minimize my chances of getting an STD? 120 47 Do lubricants or spermicides decrease my chances of contracting an STD? 121 48 Is there anything I can do through diet, exercise, or taking supplements to minimize my chances of getting an STD? 122 49 Can STDs be transmitted through oral sex? 124 50 If I have an STD, am I contagious? 126 51 Do uncircumcised men transmit STDs more? 128 Case Studies 131 Glossary 145 Directory of Resources 147 Index 151 About the Author 155 Uses a simple Q&A format to make the subject accessible to readers. Provides real-world examples of concepts discussed in the book via case studies. Helps readers to hone their research and critical thinking skills. Dispels popular misconceptions and points readers toward accurate information. Guides readers toward useful books, organizations, and websites and serves as a gateway to further study and research.