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   There are more than 30 different kinds of STD's (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) that are spread through vaginal, anal and oral sex. Some can be transmitted by touching or kissing. One in four South Africans will contract a STD during his or her lifetime. With many STD's there are no signs and symptoms until serious and permanent damage has occurred.
   Some STD's can be passed from woman to her developing fetus during pregnancy or during child birth. Some can result in the death of the fetus in the womb. Others can cause serious birth defects, developmental disabilities and other health problems.

Below are examples of the most common sexually transmitted diseases:

Introduction:

If you have unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse, you are at high risk for:

• Trichomoniasis
• Gonorrhea
• Chlamydia
• Syphyllis
• Chancroid
• Human papilloma viruses (HPV), which can cause genital warts
• HPV's that are associated with cervical cancer
• Herpes simplex virus (HSV), which can cause genital herpes
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can cause sterility
• Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
• Pubic lice
• Scabies
• Human Immune deficiency virus (HIV), which can cause AIDS
   

If you have unprotected oral sex, you are at risk for:

• Gonorrhea
• Syphillis
• Chancroid
• HSV
• HBV
• CMV

If you have sex play without sexual intercourse, you are at risk for:

• HPV
• CMV
• HSV
• Pubic lice
• Scabies

Symptoms of STD's

• Abnormal or smelly discharge from the penis, vagina or rectum
• Bleeding
• Blisters
• Boils
• Cervicitis
• Chancres
• Growths
• Irritations
• Itches
• Odours
• Pains
• Polyps
• Pus
• Rashes
• Sores
• Swellings
• Tenderness
• Ulcers
• Urine changes
• Vaginitis
• Warts

Other signs and symptoms

Loss of appetite; Bowel problems; Chills; Coatings of mouth, hroat, vagina; Coughs; Diarrhea; Discolored skin; Fatigue; Fevers; General weakness; Growths; Hair loss; Headaches; Hearing loss;  Jaundice; Light-headedness; Mental disorders; Muscular pain; Nausea; Night sweats; Pain in the joints; Run down feeling; Sore throat; Swollen glands; Vision loss; Vomiting; Weight loss that is constant, rapid or unexplained.

(** Pictures courtesy of Professor Ron Ballard, Head of the Sexually Transmitted Diseases Laboratory of the South African Institute for Medical Research (S.A.I.M.R.) and founder of the Sexually Transmitted Diseases Society of Southern Africa.)

Not all STD's are transmitted the same way:

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