Common sexually transmitted diseases

Facts you should know

Chlamydia: In the United States, more than 3 million people are infected with chlamydia each year, and several thousand cases occur each year in King County. Chlamydia is most common in people under 25 years of age. There is a test for chlamydia.

• Chlamydia is curable.

• Chlamydia makes HIV easier to catch and give.

• Up to 80 percent of women and up to half of all infected men have no symptoms.

Human papillomavirus (HPV): HPV infections are believed to be the most common of all sexually transmitted diseases (STDs); most sexually active persons get at least one HPV infection, usually without ever knowing it.

• At any time, somewhere around 20 million to 40 million Americans are infected with sexually transmitted types of HPV, and the frequency of infection and disease appears to be increasing. There are tests, but they usually are not done unless a woman has an abnormal Pap smear.

• The sexually transmitted types of HPV can be treated, but not cured. However, most infections eventually go away by themselves.

• Most HPV infections cause no symptoms and cause no serious health problems.

• Some types of HPV can cause genital warts. Other types can lead to cancer of the cervix, other genital areas or anus.

Gonorrhea: It is estimated that 500,000 to 600,000 cases of gonorrhea occur annually in the United States. There is a test for gonorrhea.

• Gonorrhea is curable.

• Gonorrhea infection makes HIV transmission easier.

• About 50 percent of all infected women and 5-10 percent of the men with gonorrhea have no symptoms.

Genital herpes: An estimated 25 percent of adult Americans (1 in 4) have genital herpes. Each year, 500,000 to 1 million new infections are believed to occur.

• Studies show that most people with genital herpes do not realize they are infected; they either have never had symptoms or have not recognized their symptoms as herpes. There is now a relatively inexpensive blood test for herpes antibodies that can be done even when there is no outbreak.

• Genital herpes can be treated, but not cured.

• Genital herpes makes HIV transmission easier.

• People can transmit herpes from the first sign of pain or itching until the scabs fall off. People can also transmit herpes when they have no symptoms.

HIV: About 750,000 persons are believed to be infected with HIV in the United States, including approximately 6,000-9,000 people in King County. There is a test for HIV.

• Anyone can become infected with HIV. In the United States, men who have sex with other men and people who use needles to inject illicit drugs are at the highest risk of HIV infection. Female partners of injection drug users and bisexual men account for a growing number of reported AIDS cases in the United States.

• While there is no cure, in recent years treatments have dramatically improved the health and quality of life for many people living with HIV/AIDS.

• For information about HIV testing, see www.metrokc.gov/health/apu/resources/testing.htm

Syphilis: It is estimated that about 20,000 new syphilis cases occur each year in the United States, and the rate of syphilis in most of the country is the lowest it has ever been.

In King County, health officials say there's a surge in syphilis infections; there were no new cases in 1995-96, but now there are about 60-70 new cases each year. Eighty-five percent of recent syphilis cases have occurred in men who have sex with other men. There are tests for syphilis.

• Syphilis is curable.

• Syphilis infection makes HIV easier to catch or to give.

• If untreated, syphilis can be very serious, even fatal.

Hepatitis A, B and C: Depending on the type, hepatitis can be spread by sexual contact, contact with blood through contaminated needles or sharing personal hygiene items such as razors, or by oral-fecal contamination. The B and C varieties are most serious, and can lead to long-term liver complications, but many of those infected have no symptoms. There are blood tests to diagnose all three types, and vaccines to prevent A and B. There is no cure for hepatitis C, but treatment is effective for many people living with the disease.

For more information:

www.metrokc.gov/health/apu/std/index.htm#hcp

Source: Public Health-Seattle & King County and Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, University of Washington Center for AIDS and STD.