STDs are infections and viruses that pass from person to person through intercourse (vaginal, oral, or anal) or close sexual contact. Sexually transmitted diseases, or STIs, are another name for STDs. The only method to entirely avoid STDs is to avoid sex or intimate sexual contact.
Even though condoms can decrease your risk of STDs, they don’t guarantee complete protection. It is critical to educate oneself on STDs in order to protect yourself. In this article, we have gathered six common STDs that you should know about.
1. Human papillomavirus
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is quite widespread. HPV is contracted by around 9 out of every 10 sexually active persons. Approximately 90% of these infections resolve within two years of diagnosis. However, HPV remains incurable and, in certain situations, can result in oral cancer, genital warts, and cervical cancer.
Some children are vaccinated against several types of HPV. Pap smears for women are done every few years to screen for HPV. Creams, liquid nitrogen, acid, and minor surgery can all be used to eliminate genital warts.
2. Syphilis
This condition is caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. It develops as a consequence of direct contact with syphilis lesions in the mouth, vagina, or penis. Chancres, which are little painless sores that emerge in the early stages of the disease, may heal on their own, but this does not guarantee that the condition is totally healed. The condition can be detected using a blood test (which can be either treponemal or nontreponemal) or a urine test.
3. Chlamydia
Chlamydia, the most common bacterial STI in the United States, is caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium, which can affect the urethra and cervix (uterus opening). It is frequent among teenagers aged fifteen to nineteen. The condition can be treated successfully. But like other sexually transmitted diseases, chlamydia is often asymptomatic and hence goes untreated until it has progressed to a more dangerous stage.
Three out of every four women and one out of every two males had no symptoms. By the time a woman seeks medical treatment, the condition often developed into pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), the main cause of female infertility and pelvic pain in 40% of cases.
4. Gonorrhea
Chlamydia is a bacterial infection spread through vaginal, anal, and oral sex. This infection is commonly mistaken for gonorrhea. Not only do they have many of the same symptoms, but they can also occur concurrently.
Gonorrhea commonly develops in the urethra or the cervix. The quickly reproducing Neisseria gonorrhea bacteria, on the other hand, can travel to the uterus and fallopian tubes, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). The infection, like chlamydia, may also affect the rectum.
5. HIV
HIV is a virus that damages the immune system, reducing the body's ability to fight infections and illnesses over time. The latter stage of HIV infection is known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). AIDS is a potentially fatal condition. By wearing condoms appropriately and regularly, you can lower your chance of contracting HIV through sexual contact.
6. Genital herpes
Genital herpes is a common infection that is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which is also responsible for cold sores. Some people get Herpes symptoms after coming into touch with the virus. Generally, tiny, uncomfortable blisters or sores appear, which may itch, tingle, or make urinating uncomfortable.
The virus remains latent (inactive) for most of the time after you've been infected. Although the blisters are often smaller and less painful, the virus can be reactivated by specific triggers, leading to the development of blisters once more. If you have symptoms, it is easy to test for HSV. Even though there is no cure for genital herpes, antiviral medications can typically reduce the symptoms.
Comments