* What are Sexually Transmitted Infections?

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections or diseases that pass from one person to another person through different types of sexual contact. Many STIs do not cause symptoms or symptoms may not appear for a long time. Infection is still possible even if you or your partner do not have symptoms.

*How do STIs spread?STIs spread through oral, vaginal or anal sex with someone who is infected with the disease. Anyone who is sexually active can get an STI. “Going all the way” by 

-vaginal or anal penetration sex is not required to get an STI. Some STIs, like herpes and human papilloma virus (HPV), are spread by skin-to-skin contact and can happen without sexual penetration.

How common are STIs?

STIs are very common, especially among younger people. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about 20 million new cases of STIs are reported each year in the United States. Approximately 10 million of these infections are in people between ages 15 and 24.

The Most Common STIs

• Bacterial vaginosis (BV) happens when bacteria that normally live in the vagina grow too much. Bacterial vaginosis is not an STI, but the bacterial overgrowth puts you at greater risk of contracting an STI.
  • How is it spread? We don’t know the cause, but unprotected sex may increase the risk of developing BV. What are the symptoms? Some people do not have symptoms. If you do, these are most common:
    • Vaginal itching
    • Thin, gray, white or green vaginal discharge
    • Foul-smelling “fishy” vaginal odor
    • Burning during urination
  • Can it be cured? Yes, with prescription antibiotics.
• Chlamydia is one of the two most common STIs in the United States and usually has no symptoms. If you’re sexually active and under the age of 25 you should get tested at least once a year.
  • How is it spread? Chlamydia is transmitted through all types of sexual contact. Anyone who is sexually active can get it.
  • What are the symptoms? Chlamydia doesn’t normally have symptoms.
  • Can it be cured? Yes, with prescription antibiotics. If not treated, chlamydia can cause permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive system. Getting pregnant later on may be difficult or impossible.
• Genital herpes is very common and does not always have symptoms; or, the symptoms are so mild, you may not know you are infected.
  • How is it spread? Genital herpes is caused by two strains: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). You can contract one or both. HSV-1 causes cold sores on your face. However, it can be transmitted to the genital area through oral sex with an infected person. HSV-2 causes genital herpes and is transmitted by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who is infected.
  • What are the symptoms? Symptoms include blisters that turn into painful, open sores that last about a week.
  • Can it be cured? No, but medicines are available that can shorten the length of an outbreak and lessen the severity of symptoms.
• Gonorrhea is very common, especially among younger people. Gonorrhea can cause infections in the genital area, rectum and throat. Gonorrhea’s nickname is “the clap.”
  • How is it spread? You can get gonorrhea by having vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who has gonorrhea.
  • What are the symptoms? A person infected with gonorrhea may have no symptoms, but an untreated infection may lead to serious complications. Symptoms include:
    • Painful or burning sensation when urinating
    • Discharge from the penis or vagina
    • Painful or swollen testicles
    • Vaginal bleeding between periods
    • An anal gonorrhea infection has additional symptoms
  • Can it be cured? Yes, with prescription antibiotics.
• Hepatitis causes inflammation of the liver. There are five different strains of hepatitis, but only three (HAV, HBV and HCV) are common in the United States.
  • How is it spread? 
    • HAV most often spreads when objects, food or drinks contaminated by small amounts of stool (poop) from an infected person are ingested. HAV can also spread through sex or while caring for an infected person who is ill.
    • HBV is transmitted through all forms of sex, needle sharing, syringes, or from mother to baby at birth.
    • HCV is spread primarily through injection drug use. In rare cases, HCV may spread through sex.
  • What are the symptoms? Not everyone with HBV infection develops symptoms, which varies by age. HCV is often symptomless as well. When symptoms do develop, HAV, HBV and HCV have similar symptoms, including fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored stool (poop), joint pain and jaundice (yellowing of the skin).
  • Can it be cured? Vaccines are available to prevent Hepatitis A and B. Anyone who previously had HAV cannot be reinfected – they are immune. Hepatitis C does not have a vaccine, but is now curable with prescription medication.
• Human immunodeficiency virus  (HIV) /acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) weakens a person’s immune system by destroying important immune system cells that fight disease and infection.
  • How is it spread? The most common ways HIV is spread are through sexual behaviors and needle sharing or syringe use.
  • What are the symptoms? HIV itself does not have symptoms. HIV is the virus that can develop into AIDS. If AIDS develops, an infected person’s immune system becomes so suppressed that it cannot fight off other infections, causing symptoms from those infections. The medications used to treat HIV infection may cause symptoms.
  • Can it be cured? No. However, there are antiviral medications that, when taken properly and forever, can lower the amount of virus in an infected person to undetectable levels. Though not disease-free, people with undetectable levels of the virus are also not contagious through sexual activity. There is also a medication called PrEP that, when taken correctly, reduces your chance of contracting HIV if you are at risk. PrEP is used as an additional prevention measure and is not meant to replace other safety measures, such as using a condom.
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the two most common STIs in the United States. HPV is so common that almost every person who is sexually active will get HPV at some time in their life. There are many different strains of HPV.
  • How is it spread? Anyone who is sexually active can get HPV, even if you have had sex with only one person. You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who has the virus.
  • What are the symptoms? Some types of HPV can cause genital warts and different cancers. Genital warts may appear as a small bump or group of bumps in the genital area. Some people find out they have HPV when their Pap smear has an abnormal result, though they may not have any symptoms.
  • Can it be cured? No. For most people, HPV goes away on its own and does not cause any health problems. However, if you develop health problems or warts, there are treatments. There is also a vaccine that can prevent the type of HPV that causes cervical cancer.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of a woman’s reproductive organs. PID is often caused by some STIs, such chlamydia and gonorrhea. Other infections that are not sexually transmitted can also cause PID. Complications from PID are extremely dangerous to the reproductive system and can lead to ectopic pregnancy or infertility.
  • How is it spread? PID is not contagious, so you cannot spread it to another sexual partner.
  • What are the symptoms? Symptoms may be mild to none:
    • Pain in your lower abdomen
    • Fever
    • Unusual vaginal discharge with a bad odor
    • Pain and/or bleeding when you have sex
    • Burning sensation when you urinate
    • Bleeding between periods
  • Can it be cured? Yes. If diagnosed early, PID can be treated with antibiotics. The longer PID goes untreated, the more likely irreversible complications will develop. Treatment won’t undo any damage that has already happened to your reproductive system. If you have had PID before, your chances of developing it again are higher.
• Syphilis is divided into four stages: primary, secondary, latent and tertiary. Each stage has different signs and symptoms.
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  • How is it spread? Syphilis is spread by direct contact with a syphilis sore during vaginal, anal or oral sex, or from an infected mother to her unborn baby.
  • What are the symptoms? The signs and symptoms of primary and secondary syphilis may be so mild that an infected person might not notice them.
    • Primary syphilis starts when a sore or sores appear where the infection first enters the body. Sores appear on or around the penis, vagina, anus, in the rectum, on the lips or in the mouth. These sores are usually (but not always) firm, round and painless.
    • Secondary syphilis can include a fever, skin rash and swollen lymph nodes.
    • The latent stage has no signs or symptoms and may last for years.
    • Tertiary syphilis is associated with severe medical problems, affecting the heart, brain and other body organs. If untreated, syphilis may extend into the brain and the eye.
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  • Can it be cured? Yes. Syphilis can be cured with specific prescription antibiotics. 
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• Trichomoniasis, or “trich/trick,” is the most common curable STI. Trich is caused by infection with a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. Infection can increase your risk of getting or spreading other STIs, including HIV.
  • How is it spread? Trich is spread through sex from a penis to a vagina, from a vagina to a penis, or from a vagina to another vagina.
  • What are the symptoms? Most people infected with trich do not have symptoms. When symptoms are present, they can come and go.
    • Symptoms in men: Itching or irritation inside the penis; burning after urination or ejaculation; discharge from the penis; discomfort having sex.
    • Symptoms in women: Genital itching, burning, redness or soreness of the genitals; urination pain or discomfort; a change in vaginal discharge that can be clear, white, yellowish or greenish with an unusual fishy smell; discomfort having sex.
  • Can it be cured? Yes, with medication. You can get trich repeatedly though. To a-avoid reinfection, all sex partners should be treated with antibiotics at the same time. All partners should also wait to have sex again until everyone has been treated and any symptoms go away (usually about a week).

Preventing STIs

-The only way to completely protect yourself against STIs is to not have oral, vaginal or anal sex (abstinence). If you decide to have sex, the following actions will help reduce your risk of getting an STI:

• Talk with your partner about how you both plan to prevent STIs and pregnancy
• Talk about birth control methods
• Get vaccinated. Vaccines are available for HPV, hepatitis A and hepatitis B
• Get tested for STIs before having sex – both you and your partner
• Learn how to properly use a condom
• Always use a condom with vaginal, anal or oral sex, from start to finish with a new condom for each sex act
• Be monogamous – you and your partner only have sexual contact with each other
• Avoid mixing alcohol and/or drug use with sex, which make people more likely to take risks

Getting Tested for STIs

Girls and young women may have extra needs to protect their reproductive health. Talk to your healthcare provider about regular STI testing, such as cervical cancer screening, and chlamydia and gonorrhea testing.

•  Where do I go to get tested ? NJFPL-supported health centers provide affordable and accessible STI testing and treatment. Finding a health center near you is easy. There is at least one in every county of New Jersey, and the services are low or no-cost.
• What can I expect at a screening ? Many people don’t get screened for STIs for fear of the unknown. Will it be embarrassing? Will it be expensive? Will it hurt? The truth is, STI screenings are important and beneficial to anyone who is sexually active. STI screenings are worth the peace of mind alone, not to mention all the health benefits to be gained from early detection and treatment. Remember, doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals are there to help, not to judge.

If you are experiencing symptoms of an STI or are sexually active and want to get tested, contact your local healthcare provider right away. 

 15 Habits To Adopt To Be Successful

    By working on bringing these habits into your life, you’re sure to learn how to achieve the same level of greatness in your own life in the same way other successful people have found achievement.

 Create A Consistent Positive Mindset

 Every action begins with a thought.

      When your thoughts are positive, your will naturally feel more motivated to take action on your goals that propel you to progress and success.

The power of positive thinking can transform your life.

        Even medical studies show that being optimistic and actively trying to reduce negative thoughts can have a positive effect on your health. Positive thinkers are 13% less likely than negative thinkers to have a heart attack, even among people who have a family history of heart problems.

        Being positive lowers your stress level, helps protect you from discouragement, and gives you better coping skills when times get difficult.

     To help strengthen your optimistic outlook, try smiling more often, adding humor to your life, practicing positive self-talk, and listing the good aspects of a bad situation. Surround yourself with positive people, images, music, books, podcasts, and environments at home and work.

Often, the only real limits on what you can do, have or be are self-imposed.

           Once you make a clear, unequivocal decision to change your life by casting off all your mental limitations and throwing your whole heart into the accomplishment of some great goal, true success is so much easier and more likely to be achieved.

Create SMART Goals

 Having a successful life includes having personal goals.

  Often, however, we set goals and make some initial progress, but don’t achieve them.

That might be because of how we set goals.

         The best and most achievable goals are smart goals. SMART goals are achievable because they are realistic, well thought out, and include a timeline.

Create SMART goals by making them:

• 1 -Specific: Create a clear, concise statement that defines exactly what you want to achieve.
• 2- Measurable: Assign a number to your goal or another way to measure it, such as “generate 250 business leads” instead of “get more leads.”
• 3- Achievable: Make sure your goal is challenging but possible to achieve so you can be successful and remain encouraged.
• 4- Relevant: Align your goal with what will make you feel happy and accomplished in life.
• 5-Time-bound: Determine when you will achieve your goal and set small milestones to achieve along the way.

Prioritize Your Physical Health

It is easy to get caught up in the never-ending wheel of tasks we need to accomplish each day and checking off items from our to-do list.

But, if you want to find success, it is important to make your physical health a priority. Being physically fit and healthy makes you feel better about yourself so you can think more positively. It also literally makes you feel energized physically and capable of accomplishing more things.

Some of the most successful people have attributed being health conscious as one of the keys to being successful in life. Highly successful people prioritize both their physical and mental health.

Make sure you eat healthy foods and minimize unhealthy foods and drinks. Develop an exercise routine that includes physical activity each day. Get plenty of rest to rejuvenate your mind and body, which will help you be more productive when it is time to work.

Believe In Yourself And Your Abilities

If believing in yourself doesn’t come naturally, make a list of all of the positive attributes you have.

Are you organized? A good listener? Do you make excellent pumpkin pies, do you hold productive team meetings or do you make people feel good about themselves? Are you great at generating ideas, or does your strength lie in taking those ideas and making a plan of action?

One of the best ways you can be successful is to learn how to believe in yourself and boost your self-confidence. Greater self-confidence motivates you and gives you the courage to take action on your goals.

When you feel discouraged, focus on what you have accomplished and the time, talents, abilities, and strengths you have that will help you accomplish more.

When you believe in your abilities to achieve your goals, you have the power to persevere until you succeed.

Have Fun!

We can easily get overwhelmed by the craziness of life and stress over things that need to be done.

In order to have a successful life, you need to be happy. And one of the best methods for happiness is fun.

Purposefully find a ray of fun in every day. See the humor in a stressful situation and laugh about it to diffuse tension. Studies show that even simply putting a smile on your face lowers your blood pressure and heart rate when things are stressful.

Get out and play, devote time to a hobby you love, watch a funny video and develop a good sense of humor.

Talk To Others

Having someone to bounce ideas off of, talk to and hear feedback from about how you’re portraying yourself to others can be extremely helpful when building yourself to be successful.

Look to those you trust and respect for feedback, like close friends and family members. Although everyone will have an opinion on how you are conducting your life, the opinions that matter are from those who have your best interest at heart.

It may be difficult at first to receive constructive criticism. But do not let it deflate you but uplift you instead. The opportunity to change for the better is a gift that makes a lasting impact on your current and future happiness.

To find success in life, you must continually grow. Talking to others you trust about how you make improvements can make a substantial difference in your progress.

Take A Break

Burnout can happen fast if you keep chasing your goals without taking a rest.

Taking periodic breaks will have a positive impact on your progress toward your goals.

To find success in life, it’s actually beneficial to spend time away from your goals to reset and recharge. Your goals will still be there even after a day or even a week off for your mental health.

Be careful not to wait until you are at the end of your rope before taking a break. An essential part of recharging is the small breaks you take throughout your day and week to keep your life balanced.

If a particular task or situation is causing frustration, step away from it for a few minutes. Get your mind off of it by doing or thinking about something completely different. Coming back to it with renewed eyes and perspective will help you accomplish it faster and with greater effectiveness.

Always Be Learning

Try learning one new thing every day — whether in your personal or professional life.

We grow as we learn, so in order to succeed, prioritize learning as much as you can on a daily basis.

When you dedicate your time to becoming a lifelong learner, you’re sure to find success in life. A lifelong learner takes initiative to continue learning and improve personal development.

When you are always learning, you improve your quality of life and are exposed to more opportunities that can lead to fulfillment and satisfaction.

Stop Comparing Yourself To Others

Every person and every goal is different. Even if someone else is doing what you want to be doing, you both are in different life circumstances.

So making a direct comparison isn’t fair to you or your future success. And when you’re trying to stay positive about your life and your choices, comparing your different life circumstances to someone else’s doesn’t exactly help you feel motivated.

Focus on you — your situation, circumstances, and goals — to see success.

Celebrate the accomplishments of others, but stay focused on the next step in your SMART goals plan.

You will feel fulfilled as you keep the focus on your own unique personal progression.

Push Yourself

Complacency won’t get you anywhere.

Those that are successful are so because they pushed the limits of their comfort zone to discover new parts of them that led to success.

The greatest satisfaction you will create is when you can look back at the journey it took you to accomplish a hard thing.

When you are in a difficult moment, remember your “why.”

Why do you want to accomplish your goal, what benefits will it bring, how will it change your life or the lives of those you care about?

If you want different results than the ones you are experiencing now, you will need to push yourself to do things differently. The positive results will be worth the effort.

Stay Consistent

How many times have you started something but not finished it, resulting in failure?

If you want to be successful, you need to learn how to stay consistent and keep showing up for yourself every day — even on hard days.

One of the best ways to stay consistent is to outline your plan for tomorrow the night before. When you have a clear list of to-dos and a plan for what time of the day you will accomplish them, it is much easier to stay on track.

Remember that showing up for yourself also sometimes means taking a needed break. Or you may need to talk to someone. It may also simply mean waking up at the same time even though your bed is so warm and you don’t want to get up

Consistency is key to success.

Be Prepared

No matter how consistent you may be, though, life may have other plans.

To be successful in whatever you do in life, always think about what could happen if things go off the rails. How would you react and what is your action plan?

This way, when that time eventually comes, you’ll have the right mindset and feel calm, cool, and collected, ready to take the challenge head-on and succeed.

Stop Looking For Shortcuts

Those who look for shortcuts aren’t interested in the learning, lessons, and nuances successful people gain when they set out to be successful in life.

If you want to achieve success, you have to do it the old-fashioned way, which takes time, patience, and consistency.

The keys to success in life are our ability to get the very best out of ourselves under almost all conditions and circumstances. It is your ability to adapt and change your life.

Change Your Definition Of Success

So you’ve accomplished one thing you thought would make you successful? What next?

Success, happiness, and fulfillment are all feelings that can change over time. So after you find success in one way, seek it out in another.

By overcoming adversity and achieving one great goal in any area, you create a pattern, a template for personal success in your subconscious mind. You will be automatically directed and driven toward repeating that success in other things you attempt.

In other words, you learn to succeed by succeeding. The more you achieve, the more you can achieve. Success builds your confidence, your self-discipline, and the belief that you will be successful next time and achieve ultimate personal success.

Try to leverage your momentum from an achievement in your personal success to reach a goal in your career or at school or vice versa. Eventually, you will create a synergistic effect and find that success comes easier on all fronts.

Analyze the next aspect of your life you’d like to find success in and get started chasing that goal!

You Can Achieve Success

By applying these 15 principles, you have the tools you need to be successful in any goal you set out to achieve. To jumpstart your journey on how to be successful and achieve your goals, use my Personal Development Plan. This free template will help you pinpoint the opportunities you have for success, develop a habit of thinking ahead and evaluating your goals, and provide a daily roadmap to efficiently accomplish your goals.