Distinguish between the prevalence and severity of several STIs in the U.S. today.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The most common STI in the United States is herpes. Type 1 of the herpes virus usually manifests as cold sores or fever blisters around the mouth. Type 2 can cause painful sores or blisters on the genitals called "outbreaks," which may occur several times a year. Even when a person is not having an outbreak, he or she may still be contagious. Prescription drugs can reduce the severity and duration of the symptoms, but as of today, herpes cannot be cured. The STI with the most new cases each year is the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is called genital warts because some carriers of the virus may experience warts on the genitals. However, many people infected with HPV are asymptomatic, with no visible signs of infection. Some strains of HPV may be harmless (except for causing the warts), but others are among the main causes of cervical, anal, mouth, and throat cancers. Unfortunately, there is no cure for individuals who have already been infected with the virus, although some cases of HPV resolve on their own. The deadliest STI is HIV/AIDS. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a retrovirus that can be transmitted when certain bodily fluids of one person (blood, semen, and vaginal secretions) enter the bloodstream of another. It causes the immune system to break down, and as there is no cure, those who are infected often die of opportunistic illnesses.