April 25th, 2011
Knowledge about sexually transmitted infections (STIs, commonly known as STDs) is on the rise, due in large part to the availability and promotion of information about STIs. Organizations like Planned Parenthood and state-funded prevention programs have contributed to the distribution of this helpful and necessary information, but we are still a long way from where we need to be in terms of a national awareness that will lead to fewer people contracting STIs.
As we saw in our last STI statistics blog, even in this information-age, the numbers of some STI occurrences are still increasing. This is particularly unfortunate, because many STIs are easily preventable. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in STDs | No Comments »
April 3rd, 2011
Many of us will at some point in our lives experience the sinking feeling that accompanies the news that we have contracted a sexually transmitted infection (STI), also known as STDs. According to Planned Parenthood, half of Americans will get an STI at some point. For the majority of people, it will be curable with short-term treatment, but for some, an STI will be life changing and devastating.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that pass from one person to another during sexual contact. STI is a broad term used to categorize many diseases and infections that are all transmitted in a similar manner but are tested, prevented and treated in different ways.
Aren’t they called STDs?
Infections are only called diseases when they cause symptoms, and many STIs do not have symptoms. Nonetheless, people commonly use the term sexually transmitted diseases or STD, even when there are no signs of disease. The technical term for all of the infections and disease we will cover in this blog is STI.
How common are STIs?
So you’re having sex or thinking about having sex, and you’d like to know how to protect yourself against pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections? We applaud your efforts to educate yourself and protect your health.
We’ve compiled the latest information on STI prevalence in the United States to help you be aware of the seriousness of STIs and to help you understand your chances of getting an STI.
Perhaps you’ve already contracted an STI? As you will see from the statistics below, you are not alone. Chances are you will receive a simple treatment for it. If it is a more serious STI, there are support groups where you can speak to people in a similar situation.
In 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) compiled the most recent STI information for three of the most common STIs and compiled it in a 184- page packet available here. For an overview of that packet, other statistics from the CDC, and information from additional sources*, read on:
Posted in STDs | 1 Comment »
