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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 13, 1994)
■hhhhmmmi ediiesday, April L3, 1994 The Battalion Page 3 Health Tips wn^tudents should learn prevention , of sexually transmitted diseases 10 ^r cot:t: Thomas ted the s|{| s Carabt!;; r isti in Jn !; tHemonit voyage io 5 dminism and thedj 'ave no a icial to the Battalion re Los Bn pril is sexually transmitted diseases month. Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, is a broad term that refers to as many as 20 different sick- ses, all of them transmitted by sex. STDs are usually transmitted through the ex change of body fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid anti blood. STDs also can be given by mothers to babies. Some STDs, such as herpes, can be transmitted by kissing and caressing or close con- tatjt with infected areas. Anyone who has sex can get a sexually transmit- disease, and millions of college students do. ■dastli ire than 4 million American men and women Buese;: let chlamydia each year. afposit;- iGenital herpes effects an estimated 30 million barges liericans with as many as 500,000 new cases oc- ~ Spring every year. ■ One million cases of gonorrhea are reported vearly, and genital warts effect at least 3 million ^American men and women each year. Syphilis was thought to effect more than 100,000 Americans in 1989, and that number is growing. ■ The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention itimate that more than one million Americans are Infected with HIV. ■ Chlamydia is transmitted when bacteria are passed from one person to another during sex. Symptoms may not be present, but men may see a lischarge or feel pain in the stomach or lower ab- lomen. Chlamydia is treatable. A physician can Rescribe pills that kill the bacteria. I Like chlamydia, gonorrhea is transmitted when Ihe bacteria are passed from one person to another jduring sex. I Women and men may have a discharge from the penis or vagina, and women may experience ■ceding between their menstrual periods. Gonor- ■ea is treatable. A physician can administer a shot ■ prescribe pills that kill the gonorrhea bacteria. ■ Genital herpes is transmitted when the virus is p sed from one person to another during sex. ■rly symptoms for males and females include a liming sensation while urinating, pain in the legs br genital area and a discharge from the penis or [vagina. I In a few days, small red bumps appear in the lenital area. These bumps develop into painful llisters, which eventually heal. I Herpes can be treated with pills or ointments that make the sores less painful. But right now, it [can't be cured. I Genital warts are transmitted when the virus is roassed from one person to another during sex. Sometimes this disease does not cause any signs ml 1 ' are lira ie." ambuliK Jstinatio: lot on ilii > minutes' me then! average for the at the amti! •m. class »i: ambulant 0 minuit to arritt idents sd: and siras ie drist ians era chief ol idoptedt dispatt: ' a syste: Angeles tmergent i differe: that you can see. Visible signs may be noticeable within three weeks to three months after having sex with someone who is infected. The main signs are small bumpy warts that appear on or near the sex organs. Genital warts can be re moved as they appear either by burning, freezing or by the use of liquid treatments that cause warts to fall off. However, like herpes, there is not a cure. HIV disease is transmitted when a virus is passed from one person to another during sex or when needles are shared during drug use. The virus attacks the body’s immune system, leaving it unable to fight off infection. These infections lead to serious illness and of ten death. The late stage of HIV disease, in which infections are present, is also known as AIDS. Drugs are available that slow the progress of the The only full-proof way of re maining STD-free is to abstain from all sexual contact and from drugs. virus that causes AIDS. They are also able to fight infections caused by HIV. But right now, there is no cure for HIV or AIDS. When diagnosed early and dealt with properly, most STDs can be treated. Anyone who thinks he or she may have contracted a sexually transmitted disease should see a physician or visit the health center. The only full-proof way of remaining STD-free is to abstain from all sexual contact and from drugs. Condoms, used correctly, can greatly re duce the chances of contracting an STD. Clear la tex condoms should be used in conjunction with a spermicide and a water-based lubricant such as KY Jelly. Oil-based lubricants break down latex and should not be used. Having sex with one faithful and uninfected person greatly reduces your chances of getting an STD as well. Your risk in creases with the number of sexual partners you have. The Health 415 class (Health Education Methodology) in conjunction with the A.P. Beutel Health Center will be hosting an STD Awareness Week the week of April 25 through April 29. A table in the MSC will offer information about vari ous STDs. During the week, a sexual health trivia bowl called “Sex, Lies and STDs” will be ongoing with prizes awarded to the winners. /j'rwmmmr/ RHA CASINO p re s e n 1rS April 15 th 7 p.m. - 12 a.m. Tickets on sale now for $ 4 at: Commons Sbisa MSC Rudder $ 6 at the door ‘n to ai spital. ilor tor Dr ) editor ms editor ing,Rogs meslers and Texas A&M i of Studert d Building. : or campus ising offices > charge by may even get paid for reading it. After all, this book from MasterCard* offers lots of useful tips on finding a real job, and it’s written for students by students. To order jrmr copy for $9.95, call 1-800-JOB-8894. MasterCard. It’s more than a credit card. It's smart money; Uden, rices. 3 © 1994 MasterCard liitertwtiorwl Incorpora