Minority Women's Health - Hispanic American/Latinas - Health Topics

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Over 25 diseases are spread through sex. Some STDs seem to affect certain groups more than others. Hispanics/Latinos in the U.S. have higher rates of STDs than whites. Hispanic/Latina women have higher rates of syphilis compared to white women. Among minorities, Hispanic/Latina women have the third highest number of cases of gonorrhea. Cultural factors may play a part in the higher rates of STDs among Hispanics/Latinas. It may be hard to talk about sex and even harder to convince a partner to use a condom.

STDs are more easily passed from men to women. And many STDs have no symptoms. If you're having sex, get tested for STDs.

Know the ABCs of STDs

The best way to protect your body is to know the "ABCs" of STDs. You can feel proud knowing you are doing your best to keep both you and your partner safe and healthy for life. Remember, if you choose not to follow A, B, or C, you could get a sexually transmitted disease (STD), including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

A= Abstinence

Not having sex of any kind (vaginal, anal, or oral sex) is the only 100% effective way to avoid getting STDs.

B= Be faithful

Being in a sexual relationship with only one partner who is free of an STD and who is also faithful to you limits the chance of infections.

C= Condoms

If you fail to follow A or B, use a latex condom. Latex condoms have been proven to reduce the risk of getting infected with HIV and many other STDS, if used correctly and consistently every time you have sex.

Resources in English

Publications

Fact Sheet — Chlamydia — This publication provides information on chlamydia infection, including its symptoms, how it is spread, how it is treated, and how to avoid contracting this STI.

http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/chlamydia.cfm

Fact Sheet — Genital Herpes — This fact sheet provides information on genital herpes, its symptoms, ways to reduce future outbreaks, and the complications that it might cause.

http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/genital-herpes.cfm

Fact Sheet — Gonorrhea — This fact sheet provides information on gonorrhea, the symptoms of this STI, treatment options, and how to avoid getting this infection.

http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/gonorrhea.cfm

Fact Sheet — Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Genital Warts — This publication provides information on human papillomavirus (HPV) and genital warts. It includes modes of transmission, treatments, and ways of prevention.

http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/human-papillomavirus.cfm

Fact Sheet — Sexually Transmitted Infections: Overview — This fact sheet explains in clear language what a sexually transmitted infection (STI) is and why STIs are especially harmful to women. It lists common STIs and their symptoms, describes the process of testing for STIs, and explains how women can protect themselves from getting an STI. This fact sheet also provides a list of resources that offer more information on STIs.

http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/sexually-transmitted-infections.cfm

Fact Sheet — Syphilis — This fact sheet explains what syphilis is, how it is spread, and how best to avoid infection. It describes symptoms of syphilis and how it is diagnosed and treated. This publication also lists sources to contact for more information on syphilis.

http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/syphilis.cfm

Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Tutorial — This online tutorial gives information to the general public about sexually transmitted diseases.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/sexuallytransmitteddiseases/htm/index.htm...

STDs and Pregnancy — This online fact sheet answers common questions that a pregnant woman may have about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Some topics that are discussed are becoming infected with an STD, STD trends in pregnant women, and treatments for STDs in pregnant women.

http://www.cdc.gov/std/STDFact-STDs&Pregnancy.htm

STIs: Learn How to Protect Yourself (Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians) — This online publication provides information on how to protect yourself from getting a sexually transmitted infection.

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/teens/sexuality/275.html

Organizations

= Indicates Federal Resources

Recursos en español

Publicaciones

Sólo para jóvenes #2: preguntas frequentes sobre las enfermedades de transmisión sexual (ETS) — Este folleto contiene información sobre las enfermedades transmitidas sexualmente. Cuales son las diferentes enfermedades, las consecuencias, los mitos y modos de prevenir su transmisión.

http://www.hhs.gov/opa/pubs/download_pubs/teentalk_spanish_vol2_std.pdf

http://www.health.state.ny.us/publications/3806.pdf

Evitar el contagio de infecciones y enfermedades de transmisión sexual (Copyright © Planned Parenthood Federation of America) — Esta hoja da información sobre cómo protegerse de los diferentes tipos de infecciones de transmisión sexual. Encontrará información sobre los síntomas y tratamientos que incluye información sobre las infecciones urinarias que también pueden ser transmitidas sexualmente.

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/sp/salud-sexual/ets/evitar-el-contagio-de-infecciones-y-enfermedades-de-tr...

Los hechos sobre Chlamydia (Copyright © Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology) — Este folleto contiene información sobre la chlamydia, como uno puede contraer una infección chlamydia, y los síntomas de la infección.

http://www.apic.org/AM/AMTemplate.cfm?Section=Brochures&Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentFile...

Organizaciones

= Recurso Federal

Resources reviewed March 2008.