AIDS, short for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, is a fatal disease that was first reported in the United States in 1981. Now a worldwide epidemic, AIDS is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus or H-I-V, which destroys the immune system.

Chlamydia (kluh-MID-ee-yuh) is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the United States. An estimated four million people are infected every year.

Genital warts are caused by the human papilloma (pap-ill-LOW-muh) viruses and appear as growths on the genitals, or in the urethra, anus, or throat. They have been linked to cancer of the cervix, vulva, and penis, and are transmitted through vaginal (VAJ-in-uhl), anal, and oral sex with an infected partner.

Gonorrhea (gone-a-REE-a) is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases with approximately one million cases reported in the United States every year.

Genital Herpes (HERP-eez) is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes-simplex one or herpes-simplex two viruses. Symptoms include a recurring rash with blisters forming on the vagina, cervix, penis, mouth, and anus.

Syphilis is a highly contagious disease that can be fatal if left untreated. It is transmitted by vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse, kissing, and oral-genital contact.