For a reliable source of factual information about sexually transmitted disease click on the links below.

• The Facts - HPV
• The Facts - Chlamydia
• The Facts - Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
• The Facts - Herpes
• The Facts - Gonorrhea
• The Facts - Trichomoniasis

Hey flinch619,

You are very incorrect here. I don't mean to be rude but I have to be extra clear on this issue. According to many sources when latex condoms are used correctly they are VERY effective at preventing the spread of HIV between sexual partners.

Check out the American Red Cross' fact sheet on condoms for more information.

Specifically referring to your comment about the size of the HIV virus you might want to check out this great page from the Straight Dope on whether HIV can pass through a condom. Condoms are manufactured to higher standards than other latex products with larger pore holes such as latex gloves. Many scientific studies have shown condoms to be successful in preventing the spread of disease when used consistently.

So condoms are an essential part of preventing the spread of HIV.

I think it's useful to look at the stats on everyone here, don't you?
I looked up the Centers for Disease Control Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance Report for 2006--the most current year available.

The report begins,

"Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) remain a major public health challenge in the United States. While substantial progress has been made in preventing, diagnosing, and treating certain STDs in recent years, CDC estimates that approximately 19 million new infections occur each year, almost half of them among young people ages 15 to 24. In addition to the physical and psychological consequences of STDs, these diseases also exact a tremendous economic toll. Direct medical costs associated with STDs in the United States are estimated at up to $14.7 billion annually in 2006 dollars."

(The emphasis is mine.)

The bummer about the report is that it only looks at chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. (Remember: it's hard to get accurate data on HPV infection because a) it's SO common, b) it often causes no symptoms whatsoever, and c) there isn't a test for the virus in men.)

Still, even without HPV, there's plenty of cause for concern.

• Chlamydia is the most commonly reported STD in the US, with 1,030,911 infections reported in 2006. But lots of cases go undiagnosed, and the CDC estimates the true rate of infection at somewhere around 2.8 million per year. The reported rate works out to 347.8 infections per 100,000 people, or between 3 and 4 people in every 1000. Rates of chlamydia in young women are higher than those in young men, but this may be because women are more likely to be screened. In fact, the CDC summary report section on chylamydia concludes, "data from chlamydia screening in family planning clinics across the United States indicate that approximately 7 percent of 15- to 24-year-old females in these settings are infected."
• There were 358,366 new gonorrhea infections reported in 2006. Like chlamydia, gonorrhea is underreported, and the true rate of infection may be double. The reported rate works out to 159.2 infections per 100,000 people, or between 1 and 2 people in every 1000.
• There were 9,756 new syphilis infections reported in 2006. That's 3.3 cases per 100,000 people. The number seems small compared with chlamydia infections, but the rate is climbing: it's up 13.8% between 2005 and 2006, and the rate is increasing fastest in young men.