// BEGIN editorial data var i = 0; var STDs_in_US = new Array(); STDs_in_US.ID = "STDs_in_US"; STDs_in_US.ID_WB = 27284970; STDs_in_US.sPubDate = "10/20/2008 11:40:21 PM GMT"; STDs_in_US.navsectionID = "4602460" STDs_in_US.appFmt = 9; STDs_in_US.itemsPerPage = 1; STDs_in_US.appWidth = 624; STDs_in_US.appHeader = "Interactive | Common STDs in the United States"; STDs_in_US.appFooter = "Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Social Healht Association"; STDs_in_US.appNavStyle = 4; STDs_in_US.instrument = 1; STDs_in_US.appLayout = 3; STDs_in_US.copyHeight = 378; STDs_in_US.copyWidth = 450; STDs_in_US.copyMargin = 9; STDs_in_US[i++] = new Array("","Chlamydia","Lower back pain can be a symptom of chlamydia in women.","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo/_new/brill-hlt-081020-Chlamydia-2p.vmedium.jpg","","", "sub", "", "", "", "right", "Odilon Dimier", "Getty Images stock", "225", "198", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); STDs_in_US[i-1].body = "

This curable infection is one of the most common bacterial STDs in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one million cases were reported in 2006. However, the American Social Health Association estimates that there were nearly 3 million cases, and as many as one in 10 adolescent girls tested positive that year."; STDs_in_US[i++] = new Array("","Symptoms","","","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Itsuo Inouye", "AP", "110", "134", "", "", "", "", ""); STDs_in_US[i-1].body = "

Signs and symptoms are not very useful in determining whether someone is infected with chlamydia, according to ASHA. This STD is often confused with gonorrhea because of similar symptoms. Also, about 75 percent of women and half of men don’t have symptoms, according to ASHA.


Those who do experience symptoms typically develop them within three weeks of exposure.

For men, women and children, symptoms include
• inflamed urethra, rectum and/or eyelid
• soreness and redness in throat or mouth
• pink eye and pneumonia (in newborns).

For women, they include
• vaginal discharge
• burning sensation during urination
• lower abdominal and lower back pain
• pain during intercourse
• bleeding between menstrual periods
• nausea or fever.

For men, they include
• pus or watery/milky discharge from the penis
• pain/burning sensation during urination
• pain/swelling of testicles.
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Newer tests called nucleic acid amplification tests are very accurate in diagnosing chlamydia, and easy to take, according to ASHA. However, since the symptoms of chlamydia are similar to those of gonorrhea, doctors sometimes treat for both infections. Antibiotic treatments are effective in curing the infection."; STDs_in_US[i++] = new Array("","Gonorrhea","The throat is one part of the body where the bacteria that causes gonorrhea can multiply easily.","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo/_new/brill-hlt-081020-Gonorrhea-2p.vsmall.jpg","","", "sub", "", "", "", "right", "", "Getty Images stock", "148", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); STDs_in_US[i-1].body = "
This curable sexually transmitted disease is caused by bacteria that grows and multiplies easily in warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, urethra, mouth, throat, eyes and anus. It is the second most commonly reported notifiable disease in the U.S., according to the CDC. In 2006, 358,366 cases were reported, an increase of 6 percent over 2005.


Left untreated, gonorrhea, also known as “the clap,” can cause substantial health problems. According to the CDC, these problems include possible inflammation of the prostate gland and coiled tube that stores and carries sperm in men, and pelvic inflammatory disease in women, which can lead to infertility and ectopic pregnancies.


The infection can also spread to the blood and joints, which is a life-threatening condition."; STDs_in_US[i++] = new Array("","Symptoms","","","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Susan Ragan", "AP", "103", "148", "", "", "", "", ""); STDs_in_US[i-1].body = "
Many men who contract gonorrhea exhibit symptoms, but most women are asymptomatic, according to ASHA. Because symptoms may not develop, the only way to be sure of infection is to get tested. Urine tests and specimens from the infected sites are often used to make diagnoses.


For men, symptoms usually appear within two to five days after infection, though it may take up to 30 days. Symptoms include
• abnormal discharge from the penis
• painful or frequent urination
• anal itching, pain bleeding or discharge.


ASHA reports that women who develop symptoms will do so within 10 days of infection."; STDs_in_US[i++] = new Array("gonorrhea_rates","2006 incidence rates","","","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "John Gress", "AP", "110", "139", "", "", "", "", ""); STDs_in_US[i++] = new Array("","Diagnosis and treatment","","","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Chitose Suzuki", "AP", "108", "148", "", "", "", "", ""); STDs_in_US[i-1].body = "
Medical professionals can diagnose gonorrhea by testing samples from parts of the body likely to be infected, but because symptoms of gonorrhea are similar to those of chlamydia, doctors will sometimes treat patients for both STDs. Antibiotic treatments are often effective in curing the infection.

However, some strains of the bacteria have become resistant to certain treatments, according to ASHA. These resistant strains have been found in Hawaii, parts of the West Coast and Asian countries."; STDs_in_US[i++] = new Array("","Syphilis","Chancres are sores that a person infected with syphilis is likely to develop.","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo/_new/brill-hlt-081020-Syphilis-2p.vmedium.jpg","","", "sub", "", "", "", "right", "", "Newscom", "132", "198", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); STDs_in_US[i-1].body = "
Syphilis has been called “the great imitator” because many of its symptoms are indistinguishable from other diseases, according to the CDC. It’s a curable bacterial infection, but left untreated, the disease can damage internal organs and be serious enough to lead to death.


According to the CDC, there were more than 36,000 cases in the United States in 2006. ASHA reports that most reported cases are in the southeast. In 2001, the South had the highest rate with 56 percent of cases reported in the U.S."; STDs_in_US[i++] = new Array("","Symptoms","","","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Lucas Jackson", "Reuters", "198", "140", "", "", "", "", ""); STDs_in_US[i-1].body = "
Symptoms of syphilis can appear anywhere from 17 days to beyond 30 years, according to ASHA.

There are four basic stages of syphilis infection.


Primary:
Within 10 to 90 days of infection, at least one sore — known as a chancre — is likely to appear. The sore usually goes away with or without treatment, but the infected person can infect others if they do not get treated.


Secondary:
A non-itchy reddish-brown rash typically indicates the beginning of the second stage of syphilis. The rash may appear as the chancre is healing, or even weeks after it has healed. The rash can last from two to six weeks, according to ASHA. Moist skin lesions, mucous patches and patchy hair loss may also occur. Signs and symptoms of the secondary stage may resolve with or without treatment. Without treatment, the infection progresses.


Latent:
After the first two stages have cleared, the latent stage begins, during which the infected person experiences no symptoms, but the infection remains. According to ASHA, this stage can develop between two to more than 30 years after infection. It is possible to relapse to the secondary stage during this period.


Late:
Without treatment, the infected person continues to have syphilis for years. Symptoms of this stage can include small bumps or tumor on the skin, bones, liver or other organs; problems with heart and blood vessels; or chronic nervous system disorders, according to ASHA. Damage to the internal organs may be serious enough to lead to death.
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Medical professionals can diagnose the infection by using a dark-field microscope to examine material from the chancre. The microscope will reveal the bacteria if an infection is present. Another method is to do a blood test. If a person has been infected, the body produces syphilis antibodies that can be detected by an inexpensive test.


In its early stages, the infection is easy to cure, according to the CDC. A single injection of penicillin will cure someone who has had syphilis for less than one year. More doses are required for a patient who has had the infection for longer. Though the penicillin will kill the bacteria and prevent any more damage, the CDC points out that the treatment cannot reverse or repair damage that has already occurred.


Other antibiotics may also work for those who are allergic to penicillin."; STDs_in_US[i++] = new Array("","Genital herpes","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "Jlp/ Deimos", "© JLP/Deimos/Corbis", "245", "368", "", "", "", "", ""); STDs_in_US[i-1].body = "
This STD is caused by the herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, with the latter causing most cases of genital infections. According to ASHA, about one in five people have the virus, but as many as 90 percent may be unaware they are infected. The CDC estimates that at least 45 million people have had a genital herpes infection."; STDs_in_US[i++] = new Array("","Symptoms","","","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "China Photos", "Getty Images", "198", "114", "", "", "", "", ""); STDs_in_US[i-1].body = "
According to ASHA, a person who becomes infected with genital herpes may show symptoms within days, but it could be weeks or years. Classic symptoms include sores, vesicles or ulcers. Some refer to these as lesions, which resemble small pimples or blisters. These lesions eventually crust over and scab, and can take between two to four weeks to heal.


The CDC reports that those diagnosed with a first episode of herpes often have four or five more outbreaks within a year, but that recurrences usually decrease in frequency over time. One warning symptom of a recurrence, according to ASHA, is an itchy, tingling or painful feeling in the affected areas a day or two before the lesions develop.


Other symptoms include
• swollen glands, especially in • lymph nodes near groin
• headache
• painful urination.

Symptoms can be mild, and may be mistaken for
• insect bites
• abrasions
• yeast infections
• jock itch."; STDs_in_US[i++] = new Array("","Diagnosis and treatment","","","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Sonja Pacho", "© Sonja Pacho/zefa/Corbis", "168", "148", "", "", "", "", ""); STDs_in_US[i-1].body = "
Health care providers can diagnose herpes by visual inspection, and by taking samples from sores and testing them. When symptoms aren’t present, medical professionals use blood tests to detect antibodies of the infection, but the results aren’t always perfectly clear.


There are currently no known treatments that can cure herpes, but antiviral medications are available to control outbreaks and treat the symptoms. According to the CDC, daily suppressive therapy for symptomatic herpes can also help reduce transmission.


Over-the-counter medications are not recommended for genital herpes, according to ASHA, as the products may interfere with the healing process."; STDs_in_US[i++] = new Array("","Trichomoniasis","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "Pat Wellenbach", "AP", "246", "368", "", "", "", "", ""); STDs_in_US[i-1].body = "
This commonly transmitted STD impacts both men and women, but symptoms are more often observed by females. The CDC estimates that there are about 7.4 million new cases each year.

The infection is caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis."; STDs_in_US[i++] = new Array("","Symptoms","","","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Mary Altaffer", "AP", "93", "148", "", "", "", "", ""); STDs_in_US[i-1].body = "
Though the STD affects both men and women, most men do not experience any signs of infection. But some do have a temporary irritation inside the penis, mild discharge, or feel a slight burning after urinating or ejaculating, according to ASHA.


Symptoms in women typically appear within five to 28 days of infection, and include
• green, yellow or gray discharge with a strong odor
• itching in or around vagina
• pain during sex
• pain while urinating
• lower abdominal pain is possible, but rare."; STDs_in_US[i++] = new Array("","Diagnosis and treatment","","","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Elaine Thompson", "AP", "106", "148", "", "", "", "", ""); STDs_in_US[i-1].body = "
A medical provider needs to perform a physical exam and lab test to diagnose a trichomoniasis infection. A pelvic exam can reveal small sores on the vaginal wall or cervix. The parasite is harder to detect in men, according to the CDC.


The infection is curable with antibiotics, but because the parasite can be transmitted even when symptoms aren’t present, sexual partners should be treated at the same time to avoid infection or re-infection. Intercourse should be avoided during treatment."; // END editorial data