Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)

Sexually transmitted diseases include genital warts, chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, syphilis, HIV/AIDS and other less common diseases that are transmitted by close bodily contact, either through sexual intercourse or other intimate contact with someone who has an STD.  All STD services are confidential.  Your privacy is respected.

Don’t let shame or embarrassment keep you from getting medical treatment if you think you have an STD.

WARNING:  If not treated, an STD can cause permanent damage including:
· Sterility (inability to have children)
· Damage to an unborn baby
· Mental illness
· Blindness or Deafness
· Non-healing skin ulcers
· Death.

One or more of the following symptoms may indicate that you have an STD. However, you can be infected with the disease and not have any symptoms.  Do not ignore symptoms.  The only way to know if you have an STD is to go to a doctor or a walk-in clinic.  See a doctor if you have any of these symptoms:
· Pain in genital area
· Painful burning sensation while urinating
· Painless sores or blisters on or around the mouth or sex organs
· Itching or swelling in the groin area
· Unusual discharge or odors form the vagina or penis
· Patchy hair loss form the scalp

Once in the body, an STD will continue to do damage until it is treated.  Even if the outward symptoms disappear, the germs which cause an STD are still in your body and can result in permanent damage.

FACT: You do not catch an STD from a toilet seat.
FACT: You can get an STD at any age, and can get in again and again.
FACT: No vaccine can prevent an STD, however most STD’s can be treated.
FACT: Anyone can get an STD.
TESTS

When you go to your physician or clinic, you will be given a simple medical exam and lab test to find out if you have an STD.  Your doctor will then determine the appropriate treatment if the results of your test are positive.

STD is a disease.  Do not allow shame or embarrassment to keep you from seeking help.  See a doctor or contact your local public health clinics.

Teenagers do not need parental consent for testing and treatment of an STD.

To get more information about preventing STD please call:
· Danbury Hospital                                             203-797-4622
· National STD Hotline                                        800-227-8922
· New Milford Hospital                                         860-355-2611
· Planned Parenthood                                         203-743-2446