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Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
What are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infectious diseases
transmitted through sexual contact. They are among the most
common infectious diseases with the United States having the
highest rates of STDs in the industrialized world.
Prevention of STDs:
The surest way to prevent contracting an STD is to abstain
from any type of sexual intercourse. However, if you decide
to become sexually active, or are currently sexually active,
there are several precautionary measures you can follow, recommended
by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases,
to help reduce your risk of developing a sexually transmitted
disease. These include:
- have a mutually monogamous sexual relationship with an uninfected partner
- use (consistently and correctly) a male condom
- use sterile needles if injecting intravenous drugs
- decrease susceptibility to HIV infections by preventing and controlling other STDs
- delay having sexual relationships as long as possible - the younger a person is when they begin to have sex for the first time, the more susceptible they become to developing an STD
- have regular checkups for STDs
- learn the symptoms of STDs and seek medical help as soon as possible if any symptoms develop
- avoid having sexual intercourse during menstruation
- avoid anal intercourse, or use a male condom
- avoid douching
What to do when diagnosed with an STD?
- Begin treatment immediately, take the full course of medications, and follow your physician's advice.
- Do not breastfeed a baby or use breast milk to feed a baby.
- Notify all recent sexual partners and urge them to get medical checkups.
- Avoid sexual activity while under treatment for an STD.
- Have a follow-up test to be sure the STD has been successfully treated.
What are some common types of STDs?
More than 20 STDs have now been identified, and affect more
than 13 million men and women in this country each year. According
to the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases
and Centers for Disease Control, common types of STDs include:
Acquired
Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV), a virus that destroys the body's ability to
fight off infection.
People who have AIDS are very susceptible to many
life-threatening diseases and to certain forms of
cancer. Transmission of the virus occurs during
sexual activity or by the sharing of needles used
to inject intravenous drugs.
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Human
Papillomaviruses (HPVs)
Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are viruses that can
cause warts. Some HPVs are sexually transmitted and
cause wart-like growths on the genitals. HPV is a
major risk factor for cervical cancer. Many people
have few or no symptoms of infection. |
Chlamydial
Infections
Chlamydial infections, the most common of all STDs,
can affect both men and women. Infections may cause
an abnormal genital discharge and burning with urination.
In women, untreated chlamydial infection may lead
to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). However, many
people with chlamydial infection have few or no symptoms
of infection. |
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea causes a discharge from the vagina or penis
and painful or difficult urination. The most common
and serious complications occur in women, which include
pelvic inflammatory disease, ecsubhead (tubal) pregnancy,
and infertility. |
Genital
Herpes
Genital herpes infections are caused by the herpes
simplex virus (HSV).
Symptoms may include painful blisters or open sores
in the genital area, which may be preceded by a
tingling or burning sensation in the legs, buttocks,
or genital region. The herpes sores usually disappear
within a few weeks, but the virus remains in the
body and the lesions may recur from time to time.
Many people have few or no symptoms of infection.
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Syphilis
The initial symptom of syphilis is a painless open
sore that usually appears on the penis or around or
in the vagina. If untreated, syphilis may go on to
more advanced stages, including a transient rash and,
eventually, serious involvement of the heart and central
nervous system. |
Genital
Warts
Genital warts or venereal warts (condylomata acuminata)
are caused by a virus related to the virus that causes
common skin warts. Usually, genital warts first appear
as small, hard, painless bumps in the vaginal area,
on the penis, or around the anus. |
Other
diseases that may be sexually transmitted include:
- bacterial vaginosis
- chancroid
- cytomegalovirus infections
- granuloma inguinale (donovanosis)
- lymphogranuloma venereum
- molluscum contagiosum
- pubic lice
- scabies
- trichomoniasis
- vaginal yeast infections
Source: National Institute of Allergy
and Infectious Diseases
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Facts about STDs:
- STDs affect men and women of all backgrounds and economic levels. However, nearly two-thirds of all STDs occur in people younger than age 25.
- STDs are on the rise, possibly due to more sexually active people who have multiple sex partners during their lives.
- Many STDs initially cause no symptoms. In addition, many STD symptoms may be confused with those of other diseases not transmitted through sexual contact especially in women. Even symptom-less STDs can be contagious.
- Women suffer more frequent and severe symptoms from STDs:
- Some STDs can spread into the uterus (womb) and fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which, can lead to both infertility and ecsubhead (tubal) pregnancy.
- STDs in women also may be associated with cervicalcancer.
- STDs can be passed from a mother to her baby beforeor during birth. Some infections of the newborn may be successfully treated, but others may cause a baby to be permanently disabled or even die.
- When diagnosed early, many STDs can be successfully treated.
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