Sponsored content As STD cases rise, doctors remind patients of all ages to stay safe 1.59 million CASES OF CHLAMYDIA he Seusally tranmted discases are equal opportanity risks with patients as eases ofsome common STDs hit reeoed Nearly 2.3 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrbera and 468,514 CASES OF GONORRHEA 18.5% increase since 2015 philis were diagnosed in the United States in 2017. conling to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. t marks the fourth consecutive year of sharp increases of 0 STDS TIGHTEN THEIR GRIP Anyone can develop an STD through unprotected sex. Age is not a factor," said Dr. Patricia Dirtpm, Farnily Modi ine ON THE NATION'S HEALTH AS RATES INCREASE FOR A CASES OF SYPHILIS Nowas, talking to your doctor about an STD should mot We are tráined to discass this and, in Eact,inquiringabout your possible STD esposare should be considered a rostin Anyone who has sex is at risk, but some groups YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 15-24 GAY & BISEXUAL MEN are more affected -- ommon. Some are relatively minor and easy to treat, while LEFT UNTREATED, STDS CAN CAUSE: Human Papilloma Vinas, or HPV, is the most common STD It can cause eeevical eancer,genital caneer, anal caneer and genital warts It can also cause throat caneer later in lfe, HPV can spread even if the individual is asymptomatio meaning it is very easy to infect others. That's wlry it is important to have protected sex. Dietagen said. With no treatment for HPV, vaccination is one of the best afeguands. Mtany people can clear the virus on their own but this can take several years and there can Ibe a recurrence later in bibe, she sald. The vaccine can be given up to age 26 in ABILITY TO GET PREGNANT OR Chlamydia, a bacterial infection that affeet genitals, repeoductive orans, eyes and throat, is the mest most comnson STD. It's also easily spread because many patlents without symptoms present, or that having sex in a hot tub or STD. Dietrgen said myths inelude thinking STDs re only for young poopls, that you can't catch or pass an STD DID YOU KNOW? STDs impact young people the handest. Hall of all chlorinated pool prevents the spread of STDs These are all to- 25-year olds, can cause false infertility and sprcad to the blood and joints Treatment is You can still catch an STD even in a bot tub or chlorinated wailable but symptoms ean be life-long or have frequest pool if you do not use proteetion, she sasd. Tou can develop recurrences throughout life Dietagen said nother STD making a resargrnee is soyphillis, which ean amptomatie, they may still pass on as STD be life-threatening if left untreated and can alfect orns Natural condoms are not oonsidered to be as safe as lates or The only sure way to avoid STDs is to not have vaginal anat, or oral sex If you are sexually active you can reduce your risk of getting an STD by using a condom You canttelli someone has an STD just by looking at them Many STDs dont cause any symptoms, sothe only way to know for sure is to get tested the same STD multiple times, and even if your partner is Finally, HIV and Trichomoniasis round out the list of comnson STDs. HIV, which can develop into AIDS, as STDsesting you cant assame you've been tested. The CDC nce considered a death sentence but Dietzgen said it's more readily treatable today. Trichomoniasis can lead toobe tested for, and to talk to your partner about thae severe pelvic infections and infertility, but it treatable with ast time he or she was And because routine medical chckups don't always indlude STD tests aren't always part of a regular doctor visit Marny doctors may not give you an HIV or STDtest recommends asking your medial provider which STDs you Even if you use birth control you should still think These covenations may seem hard to hane, Iat open communication with your partser is essential to staying healthy and stopping the spread of STD reports the CDC. the pill patch,ring, and UDare very effective at preventing pregnanybu ty dono protect against Anyone who is sexually active is at risk of contracting an These conversations may also bring you closer together KAISER PERMANENTE