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Supplements - Driver Health for Truckers

Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Aids

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD's) are caused by germs that are passed on from one person to another during sex. These diseases are very common, with over 4 million people receiving treatment for STD's in South Africa every year.

The Symptoms of STD's are Easy to Identify :

  • Pain or burning when urinating
  • Pain during sex
  • Unusual swelling near the penis / vagina
  • Blisters, sores or warts on private parts.

How Can STD's Be Prevented ?

You have the right to say NO to sex. Wait until you find a long term partner who is not infected before having sex.
Choose your partner carefully - consider having an HIV antibody test to determine both your own and your partner's HIV status.
Always use condoms until you are sure of your own and you partner's HIV status, as correct condom use every time you have sex greatly reduces the risk of infection.

Remember - HIV is also an STD
However STD's can be treated and cured - AIDS can't! STD's make it easier for HIV to be transmitted to others by causing sores that act as an open door, making it easier for HIV to move from one person to another.

HIV / AIDs is an incurable disease, caused by a virus called HIV that slowly weakens a person's ability to fight off other diseases.

HIV is Spread from one person to another by :

  • Having unprotected sex with an infected person
  • Through contact with infected blood
  • From an infected mother to her unborn baby

You cannot be infected with HIV by hugging or touching a person with HIV!

What Are the Signs of HIV Infection?

There are no obvious signs to indicate HIV infection - you cannot tell if a person is HIV Positive just by looking at them!
It takes many years for signs of HIV infection to show up, and an infected person usually begins experiencing symptoms of other dieases as a result of HIV infection.

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