STD

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD), also commonly known as Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are infections and diseases transmitted by tiny infectious agents like fungi, bacteria, viruses and parasites during sexual intercourse. These tiny organisms are commonly found in most parts of the body like the mouth, throat and genital areas.

STD was formerly called venereal disease and has more than 15 million people infected with one or more STI in the United States every year making the US the number one STD infected country in the industrialized world.

Mucous membranes of the penis, vulva and mouth are the common transmission points of STIs. This makes sex the most common means of transmitting the disease causing bacteria although isolated cases happen in casual contacts like touching, hugging and kissing.

Below is a list of common infections and their respective symptoms:

1. Chlamydia – this infection can be acquired in vaginal, anal or oral sex with a partner who is infected. This can serious affect both men and woman with penile discharge and infertility. The infection can also be carried to new born babies. The bacteria live in the semen in men and vaginal fluid in women. Chlamydia can be a silent disease with about 70 percent cases having no symptoms at all. Those who experience symptoms typically have abnormal discharge of pus or mucous.

2. Gonorrhea – is a curable disease which is the United States second most common sexually transmitted infections. This disease can result in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) when it has spread in the fallopian tubes and the uterus. Symptoms in women can include bleeding when having vaginal intercourse, painful feeling during urination and bloody or yellowish discharge. Symptoms in men include white, green or yellow pus coming from the penis, pains and burning sensation during urinations and painful or swollen testicles.

3. Syphilis – is caused by Treponema pallidum bacterium. New born babies are at a risk of getting congenital syphilis from an infected mother. Syphilis has many possible symptoms similar to other diseases. It has gained the title “great imitator”. There are 4 stages in syphilis. Primary syphilis is indicated by round and firm small ulcer called a chancre. Secondary syphilis exhibits with skin rash that is not itchy. The latent stage of syphilis occurs after the secondary syphilis and may have no obvious symptom. Tertiary syphilis can have dreaded effects like damaged eyes, brain, bones, heart, nervous system and almost most parts of the body.

4. Human papillomavirus – is one of the world’s most common sexually transmitted infections. Of the more than 100 different types of HP viruses, about 30 spread in sexual intercourse. These are classified as either high or low risk. The high risk types of HP virus can cause abnormal results in pap smears which could potentially lead to cancers of the vulva, vagina, anus, penis or cervix. The low rich types can cause genital warts in the vagina, vulva, penis or rectum. Many people with HP virus experience no symptoms so utmost care should be observed specially when having multiple sex partners.