STI Awareness Month
April
Purdue University Calumet
Counseling Center
Gyte Room 005
(219) 989-2366
Counseling Center Website
Current statistics for STIs
 Sexual transmitted infections (STIs) affect everyone
regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, and economic
status.
 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), an estimated 19 million new sexually transmitted
infections occur each year.
Although young people represent approximately 25%
of the sexually experienced population, half of sexually
transmitted infections occur among those ages 15 to
24.
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008)
Reportable rates of STIs in young
people ages 15-24 by state.
 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Reportable
STD rates of youth and adolescents ages 15-24. Website:
Common sexually transmitted
infections
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
(AIDS)
 AIDS is caused by the human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV
attacks a person’s CD4+ T cells,
which are responsible for fighting
against infections and diseases.
 The time it takes for HIV to progress
to full-blown AIDS varies based on
many factors, such as an individual’s
health status and behaviors. How
quickly someone is diagnosed and
treated for HIV also influences the
long term outcomes.
 A person with an advanced HIV
infection may experience the
following:
 dramatic weight loss
 fatigue
 dry cough
 fever and night sweats
 swollen lymph glands
 diarrhea
 unusual blemishes in the tongue,
mouth, or throat
 red, brown, pink, or purplish
blotches on or under the skin or
inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids
(Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 2006)
Genital herpes
 This STI is an extremely contagious viral infection caused by the herpes
simplex virus (HSV).
 HSV-1 commonly referred to as “cold sores” and HSV-2 commonly
referred to as “genital herpes” are both involved in sexual transmission
and either can be contracted in the oral or genital areas.
 A person who has been infected with genital herpes through sexual
contact with an infected person may experience the following:
 Blisters around the genital areas or rectum, which usually appear within two weeks after
being exposed to the virus. The blisters will eventually break and become sores. These
sores will take about 2-4 weeks to heal.
 Swollen glands and flu-like symptoms.
 Subsequent outbreaks of herpes sores.
 Serious infections may occur in people with suppressed immune symptoms, as well as
infants of mothers who contracted the virus while pregnant.
 Many people who are infected with genital herpes will only experience
mild symptoms. Some may experience no symptoms at all.
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011).
Chlamydia
 Chlamydia is the most common STI reported in the United States with 2.8 million
infections occurring annually.
 Untreated chlamydia can lead to serious health problems. In women, untreated
chlamydia may lead to reproductive problems such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy,
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and fallopian tube infections.
 Chlamydia is often called the “silent” disease, since most people infected will not
experience noticeable symptoms. Due to this fact, medical authorities recommend
“routine” chlamydia screenings be part of any gynecological exam for sexually active
women under the age of 25 or any woman with a high risk sexual history.
 The following symptoms may occur:
 Women may experience unusual vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating. Some
may also experience pain during intercourse, vaginal spotting, fever, nausea, or abdominal and
back pain.
 Men may experience unusual discharge and pain.
 Most authorities including the CDC, recommend all those testing positive for gonorrhea
receive treatment for chlamydia, regardless of test results. The reason for this is those
testing positive for gonorrhea have a higher rate of false negatives, for chlamydia.
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012)
Gonorrhea
 Gonorrhea is caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
 Untreated gonorrhea can lead to long-term health problems.
 Those infected with gonorrhea may experience the following symptoms:
 Men may experience a burning sensation when urinating, as well as unusual
discharge from the penis.
 Women may experience pain/burning when urinating, unusual vaginal
discharge, or spotting between menstrual periods.
 These symptoms may be mild or unnoticeable.
 There are increased incidents of antibiotic resistance in those with
gonorrhea. Multi-drug resistant gonorrhea is a major concern among
leading authorities in infectious disease. This makes protecting yourself
from gonorrhea all the more important.
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011)
Syphilis
 Most primary and secondary syphilis cases have been reported in persons
between the ages of 20 and 39.
 It may take years for an infected person to develop noticeable symptoms.
 Primary stage of syphilis:
 During the primary stage of syphilis, an infected person may notice the
appearance of a single sore or multiple sores.
 Secondary stage of syphilis:
 In the secondary stage of syphilis, a person may experience a rash on the body.
 Other symptoms include fever, swollen lymph glands, weight loss, fatigue, hair
loss, and headaches.
 See the CDC website for more information about the late stages of syphilis:
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010)
Cases of syphilis in northwest Indiana
 In 2009, the Indiana State Health Department (ISHD), issued
a Public Health Warning regarding the increase in syphilis
cases in Lake and Porter Counties among BOTH
heterosexuals and homosexuals. Between 2008-09 the
incidence of newly diagnosed syphilis TRIPLED. No further
information about this trend has been publicized.
 This is another reason to have ONLY protected
sex.
How do people become infected?
 People can become infected with STIs through vaginal, anal, or

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oral sex with someone who is infected with an STI.
Syphilis and herpes can be contracted through kissing if there is an
open sore (lesion) on the mouth.
Hepatitis B and HIV can also be contracted through the use of
contaminated needles.
Having one or more STIs makes your chances of becoming HIV
positive two to five times more likely if exposed.
Those newly infected with HIV go through a phase of rapid viral
replication during which they are HIGHLY contagious. Due to the
level of virus, having sexual contact with those newly infected who
may or may not know they have the virus increase your chances of
becoming infected with HIV.
Protecting yourself against STIs
 Many symptoms of sexually transmitted infections are mild
or unnoticeable---Getting tested is crucial!
 Condoms are the only form of protection that can protect
against unwanted pregnancies AND STIs.
 Always use a condom during the entire duration of sexual
activity.
Know the proper way to use a condom
Education and prevention
 Many sexual transmitted infections have no symptoms initially, or
the symptoms may be confused for another disease.
 You can not tell if someone is infected with an STI based on how
they look or act. Just because a person is well liked and attractive
does not mean that they do not have an STI.
 Don’t think “it can’t happen to me.” In reality, it is estimated that
one in two sexual active persons will contract an STI by age 25
(Cates, Herndon, Schulz, and Darroch, 2004).
The bottom line: getting tested regularly and using
protection is key to protecting yourself and others against
STIs.
PUC Campus Resources
 The Counseling Center provides free, confidential counseling
services to currently enrolled students. To make an
appointment, please call (219) 989-2366.
 Counseling Center Website
Additional resources
 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention INFO
 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636), or 1-888-232-6348 TTY
 Division of STD Prevention (DSTDP)
 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
 Get Yourself Tested (GYT) Campaign
 The GYT Campaign is aimed at empowering young people to
get tested and educate themselves on the topic of sexual
transmitted diseases. Link
 CDC STD Awareness Month website:
 CDC STD Awareness Resource website:
 National HIV and STD Testing Resource website:
References

Cates JR, Herndon NL, Schulz S L, Darroch JE. (2004). Our voices, our lives, our futures:Youth and sexually transmitted
diseases. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Journalism and Mass
Communication.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Prevention Information Network. (2011, March 14). STDs
today. Retrieved March 29, 2012 from http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/std/std.asp

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012, February 8). Chlamydia-CDC fact sheet. Retrieved March
29, 2012 from http://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/STDFact-Chlamydia.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012, January 21). Genital herpes-CDC fact sheet. Retrieved March
26, 2012 from http://www.cdc.gov/std/Herpes/STDFact-Herpes.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011, April 5). Gonorrhea-CDC fact sheet. Retrieved April 5, 2012
from http://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/STDFact-gonorrhea.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010, September 16). Syphilis-CDC fact sheet. Retrieved April 5,
2012 from http://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/STDFact-Syphilis.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2006, November 6). HIV/AIDS basics. Retrieved March 29, 2012
from http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/qa/definitions.htm

CDC. Sexually Transmitted Diseases in the United States, 2008: National Surveillance Data for Chlamydia,
Gonorrhea, and Syphilis. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2009. [cited 2010 March 18].
Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats08/trends.htm.

Get yourself tested. Retrieved April 5, 2012 from www.gytnow.org

CDC.The role of STD detection and treatment in HIV prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/std/hiv/STDFact-STDHIV.htm