Q. I

Am a mature woman and would like to ask you a...

February 12, 1992|By Dr. June M. Reinisch, Ph.D., (copyright) United Feature Syndicate, Inc.

Q. I am a mature woman and would like to ask you a question. Other than having sex, how does one get a social disease? I really have a reason for asking.

A. Once known as a social or venereal disease, sexually transmitted disease (STD) is now the preferred name for bacterial and viral infections or organism infestations that are most commonly, but not always, transmitted through intimate sexual contact. Some of the most common STDs are chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, gardnerella vaginalis, trichomonas, herpes, genital warts (HPV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Some STDs can be transmitted from a mother to a fetus during the birth process. Others, like herpes, can be transmitted from one area of the body to another through touching the infected site and then touching a break in the skin (which can be microscopic) in another area of the body.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease, call the STD hotline (800) 227-8922, National AIDS hotline (800) 342- AIDS or Herpes hotline (919) 361-8488 for further information. Each of these hotlines can give you information on routes of transmission of specific STDs.

When you call, you will not be asked your name or any other identifying information.


Send questions for The Kinsey Report in care of the Chicago Tribune, Room 400, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60611. Volume of mail prohibits personal replies, but questions of general interest may be discussed in future columns.