2. The incidence of STDs is rising, in part because in the last few decades, young people have become sexually active earlier yet are marrying later. In addition, divorce is more common. The net result is that sexually active people today are more likely to have multiple sex partners during their lives and are potentially at risk for developing STDs.

3. Many STDs initially cause no symptoms, particularly in women. When symptoms develop, they may be confused with those of other diseases not transmitted through sexual contact. However, even when an STD causes no symptoms, a person who is infected may be able to pass the disease on to a sex partner. That is why many doctors recommend periodic testing for people who have more than one sex partner.

4. Health problems caused by STDs tend to be more severe and more frequent for women than for men.

5. When diagnosed and treated early, almost all STDs can be treated effectively.

*Of the top 10 reportable diseases in the United States in 1995, five are STDs (chlamydial infection, gonorrhea, AIDS, primary and secondary syphilis, and hepatitis B virus infection).