The type of cold you really don't wanna catch...

Following my previous train of thought about sexual exploration... well, here comes the part no one wants to hear about. But, its totally necessary to discuss it. And, actually, its probably the non-discussion of this subject that gets so many people in trouble. What in the world am I referring to? The darker (and nastier) side of sex: Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases happen to be one of the largest risk factors in young adulthood. According to the CDC, it is estimated that there are 19 million new STD outbreaks in the United States each year. The largest population affected are- you guessed it- teenagers and those in their early twenties. Why this age group? I think that this probably has something to do with Erickson's inner battles over identity formation and intimacy searching. The truth is, young adults tend to make many decisions without thinking about them, and they are often bad decisions. Also, many young adults have not been fully educated on all the dangers of sexual exploration. And even with a bounty of information at hand, many will still expect that their chances of catching something are still not that great ("that would never happen to me"). Or maybe, like I said previously, its just that everyone avoids the subject.

Here are some disturbing facts about the most common STDs:

(I just had to steal these pictures from the CDC website)

- Most common infectious disease in the United States

- Often has no noticeable symptoms (So, you might not even know you have it)

- Can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility in women

- Affects all races, but African Americans and Native Americans are disproportionately affected

- Infects the cervix in women, but can spread to the rectum

- Southern region of the United States has the most reported cases and infection rate is rising

- Recent strains are somewhat resistant to antibiotics

- Research suggests that infection may increase susceptibility to HIV infection

- Common symptoms include a burning sensation when urinating and a yellow or green discharge

- National morbidity rate has been rising for the past six years

- Higher rates among men, especially among men who have sex with men

- Initial symptom is a single, painless sore at the infection site. A few weeks later, the sore disappears and is replaced by a rash that doesn't itch. In left untreated, 10-20 years later, the infection attacks all the organs leading to insanity and death.

Okay, who wants ice cream?!

Aside from being dangerous to your health and physically unpleasant, sexually transmitted diseases also carry social stigma with them. People who have infectious diseases are certainly shunned in our society, and not just because we are trying to prevent the spread of infection. The infected are seen as being unclean. And, what is worse, those infected with a sexually transmitted disease are not only seen as unclean, but also as lacking in moral standards. It also seems that once a person is known to have had a STD, they are forever labeled as such even if they have been treated and cured. If they have contracted an incurable disease, such as HIV or herpes, then they will forever live with the stigma, which may affect their future relationships, job and school prospects, and lead to covert and overt discrimination.

These are all reasons to be careful. Being informed about sexually transmitted diseases is only the first step. People must exercise safe sexual practices and get tested on a regular basis. And, it is important to have that uncomfortable conversation with all prospective sexual partners. STDs are easy to get and hard to get rid of. But, they are even easier to prevent.