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

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...

What I Need to Know About Hepatitis B - This easy-to-read publication provides an introduction to the risk factors, symptoms, and treatments for the liver disease, hepatitis B.

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hepb_ez/index.htm

Herpes & Relationships: How to Tell (Copyright © IHA) - This fact sheet explains how herpes can have an impact in one's self esteem because it affects one's relationships. This sheet talks about how to talk comfortably to your partner about the issue.

http://www.herpesalliance.org/resources_01.htm

http://www.ashastd.org/news/hisp.cfm

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...

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

Herpes genital: Los hechos (Copyright © IHA) - Información básica sobre herpes genital -- lo que es y lo que significa. Escrito para el uso por las víctimas de herpes genital, esta información sirve para mejorar la comprensión del paciente sobre el herpes genital y para ayudar que la persona viva mas cómodamente. También disponible en inglés y otros idiomas.

http://www.herpesalliance.org/resources_03a.htm

Virus del papiloma humano (VPH) (Copyright © National Alliance for Hispanic Health) - Esta publicación incluye información básica sobre el virus del papiloma humano (VPH), incluso cómo se contrae, los síntomas, y cómo se puede prevenir.

http://www.hispanichealth.org/folletos/action.lasso?-response=response.lasso&RECORD=11010501...

Organizaciones

= Recurso Federal

Current as of December 2007