Around the world, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s) such as HIV, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and Syphilis are responsible for over 19 million new infections every year. What’s worse is that 50 percent of these new cases are reported by people from the ages of 15-24 (Teen std statistics 1). The threat of STD’s is slowly but dangerously becoming greater and is putting humanity at risk.
                There is a long history of STD’s as it is a very common way to get a disease. Some of the most common STD’s are Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis, Genital Herpes, Hepatitis and Genital Warts. HIV, most likely the most dangerous STD of them all, is responsible for 25 million deaths since 1981 (HIV and aids statistics 1). It is transmitted sexually, by mixing blood and from mother to offspring. It is also spread by sharing syringes, which usually occurs with drug users who aren’t careful. HIV works in a few steps. First, HIV gets spread through the original carrier and is given to the second victim. Then the HIV lays dormant in the body of the victim for a random period of time. The victim would now be given the “HIV Positive” title. At a random time after the victim acquired HIV, the HIV will attack the victim’s T-Cells leaving the victim’s immune system extremely weak and very susceptible to other infections or diseases. At that point, the victim has Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). HIV is such a threatening epidemic that about 40 million people are only living with it (HIV and aids 1). The average life expectancy shows to be 10 years with HIV and then 2 years with AIDS (What is the Average 1). HIV and AIDS don’t have a cure yet but have some treatments which can help postpone the attack of the HIV on the immune system.

Other diseases such as Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis, Genital Herpes, Hepatitis and Genital Warts each have treatments and are usually only fatal if the victim is already weak or does not get proper treatment. Gonorrhea causes painful urination and discharges from the penis or vagina and could cause sterility and arthritis. Gonorrhea can be treated with the proper antibiotics. There are about one to two million new cases of Gonorrhea every year, mostly people under 25. Syphilis causes many minor problems in the first stages such as headaches and rashes but if untreated may lead to heart damage and cause paralysis, dementia and even death. Syphilis is increasing dramatically among teenagers. Genital Herpes causes painful sores in the genital areas and remains in the victim’s body making the victim able to spread it and unable to have unprotected sex without spreading it for the rest of his or her life. There are 500,000 to one million new cases of Genital Herpes every year (10 most common STDs 1).

STD’s are a huge threat to humanity and with the numbers growing; it’s not getting much better. Teens are becoming bigger and bigger percentages of the new cases for each disease. This is because teens aren’t practicing safe sex and abstinence as much as they should. It is also because of the common misconception that oral sex does not spread STD’s. Something needs to be done to get the message across to careless teens in order to stop the ever growing problem, and fast.