The Student News Website of Francis Howell North High School.

FHNtoday.com

The Student News Website of Francis Howell North High School.

FHNtoday.com

The Student News Website of Francis Howell North High School.
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FHNtoday.com

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Being sexually active means being aware

It could be obvious: a discharge of pus, ulcerative lesions, or rectal bleeding.

Worse, it could be as harmless as a sore throat, some nausea, or a fever. While some symptoms of various sexually transmitted diseases are indeed cringe-worthy, common signs of an STD can very easily go undetected. In the moment of passion, the high gamble of contracting an STD is the last thing on your mind. But one needs to realize that the impact of sex goes far beyond the actual act.

It is imperative to know that focusing on symptoms of STDs is not valuable in determining possible infection. For Chlamydia, 50 percent of men and 75 percent of women don’t have any symptoms at all.

Another unfortunate reality of most sexually transmitted diseases is that although they are present internally, they don’t show up externally for two to three weeks. That’s two to three weeks to possibly spread the. You might think that you lucked out if there are no signs the day after, but you very well might have contracted an STD. The only way to be sure that you are or are not infected is to get tested.

In this day and age, we can’t realistically think that abstinence is the one and only solution to the upsurge of STDs. It is a personal choice to have sex; what should not be a personal choice is getting tested. Your partner’s sexual history becomes your sexual history when the decision is made to have sex, and the same applies the other way around.

There are treatments available: over the counter shampoos for pubic lice, penicillin for syphilis, and prescription metronidazole for trichomoniasis. For other diseases such as human papillomavirus or hepatitis there is no cure, but vaccines are available. The only way to fix the problem is to know that one exists in the first place. The responsibility of practicing safe sex and getting tested for STDs comes with being sexually active.

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