Fact No. 1:

A sexually-transmitted disease (STD), also known as a sexually-transmitted infection (STI) is any infection or disease that is passed on from one person to another during sexual intercourse or other types of sexual activity, such as oral sex.

Some STDs, such as HIV/AIDS, can also be transmitted via the shared use of infected needles by drug users.

Fact No. 2:

Someone who is infected with an STD, but is showing no signs or symptoms can still infect their partners, if they engage in sexual activity, or, in the case of HIV/AIDS, share needles. People do not always know that they have a sexually-transmitted infection because they don’t have any symptoms of the disease. Symptoms of an STD such as herpes, for example, include blisters and sores. But even when they aren’t present, the disease may still be active. While the symptoms are not there, the infection lives on. The herpes virus can be transmitted up to days before the symptoms arrive. Living with herpes can be easy if you regularly see your doctor and follow a medical course.

Fact No. 3:

The only way to stay safe from infection and disease is to stop engaging in sexual activity with an infected partner or to use latex condoms. There are male and female condoms available on the market. The contraceptive pill, as the name suggests, prevents conception, but will never prevent an STD from being transmitted. If have been prescribed medication for an STD, you should always complete the course and see your doctor just in case further treatment is required.

Dakota Caudilla, journalist, and website builder Dakota Caudilla lives in Texas. He is the owner and co-editor of http://www.your-sexual-health.net on which you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.

Acid Reflux Disease , sometimes known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, normally shortened to GERD happens when the one way valve at the bottom of the oesophagus that retains food in the stomach, and prevents it from returning to the oesophagus stops working properly.

As the oesophagus is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach, then this one way valve needs to function properly, or the contents of the stomach, can and will move back up into the oesophagus and even back as far as the mouth.

The contents of the stomach are being digested by acid, and the main symptom of Acid Reflux Disease is a burning chest pain which starts behind the breastbone, and can then move up into the neck and throat. It can actually feel as if the food is coming back into the mouth, and there is a bitter acid rancid taste.

This is why you often read or hear about ‘heartburn cures’, because the sensation is like heartburn, when it is in fact Acid Reflux Disease.

Equally obviously many people believe they are victims of a heart attack when it is Acid Reflux Disease, and sadly for some, they believe they have Acid reflux, when in fact they are suffering a heart attack, SO IF YOU ARE IN ANY DOUBT VISIT YOUR DOCTOR OR HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY.

To set your mind at rest here are some of the most common symptoms of Acid Reflux Disease.

1. The burning feeling in the chest usually appears after eating, and can last up to several hours.
2. Lying down, or bending over makes it worse.
3. There is a burning sensation in your throat, a sour acidic taste in your mouth.
4. You become hoarse, and can even lose your voice.
5. You may develop symptoms of asthma, and begin and continue to cough.
6. You may find swallowing difficult
7. Normally an antacid tablet will relieve the symptoms.

Just remember IF YOU ARE IN ANY DOUBT VISIT YOUR DOCTOR OR HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY. It could save your life.

This is the first in a series of articles on Acid Reflux Disease, and in future articles we will discuss the Causes, and possible Cures for Acid Reflux.