The term sexually transmitted disease (STD) is used to refer to a condition passed from one person to another through sexual contact. You can contract an STD by having unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the STD.
STDs are serious illnesses that require treatment. Some STDs, such as HIV, cannot be cured and can be deadly. By learning more about STDs, you can learn ways to protect yourself.
You can get a STD from vaginal, anal, or oral sex. You can also be infected with trichomoniasis through contact with damp or moist objects such as towels, wet clothing, or toilet seats, although it is more commonly spread by sexual contact.
STDs are serious illnesses that require treatment. Some STDs, such as HIV, cannot be cured and can be deadly. By learning more about STDs, you can learn ways to protect yourself.
You can get a STD from vaginal, anal, or oral sex. You can also be infected with trichomoniasis through contact with damp or moist objects such as towels, wet clothing, or toilet seats, although it is more commonly spread by sexual contact.
Types Of Sexually Transmitted Disease
Many different types of infections can be transmitted sexually. The most common STDs are described below.
HERPES
Genital herpes is caused by infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of HSV, HSV-1 and HSV-2, both of which belong to a wider group called Herpesviridae. Another well-known virus in this group is varicella zoster virus, which causes chicken-pox and shingles.
In general :
HSV-1 is acquired orally, causing cold sores.
HSV-2 is acquired during sexual contact and affects the genital area.
Although genital herpes used to almost always be caused by HSV-2 infection, HSV-1 is accounting for an increasing number of cases of genital herpes in developed countries. Read More >>
In general :
HSV-1 is acquired orally, causing cold sores.
HSV-2 is acquired during sexual contact and affects the genital area.
Although genital herpes used to almost always be caused by HSV-2 infection, HSV-1 is accounting for an increasing number of cases of genital herpes in developed countries. Read More >>
SYPHILIS
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidium. The infection is usually sexually transmitted, in which case it is called venereal syphilis.
The symptoms of syphilis are the same in men and women. They can be mild and difficult to recognise or distinguish from other STDs. Symptoms may take up to 3 months to appear after initial infection. Syphilis is a slowly progressing disease that has several stages. The primary and secondary stages of syphilis are very infectious. Read More >>
The symptoms of syphilis are the same in men and women. They can be mild and difficult to recognise or distinguish from other STDs. Symptoms may take up to 3 months to appear after initial infection. Syphilis is a slowly progressing disease that has several stages. The primary and secondary stages of syphilis are very infectious. Read More >>
GONORRHEA
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrheoae. Gonorrhea affects both men and women and can infect the cervix, urethra, rectum, anus and throat. Gonorrhea is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and the global gonorrhea statistics show that an estimated 62 million cases of gonorrhea occur each year, affecting more women than men.
Gonorrhea is easily curable but if left untreated it can cause serious health problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease(PID), which can lead to abdominal pain and ectopic pregnancy in women. Untreated, gonorrhea can also lead to infertility, meningitis and septicaemia. Read More >>
Gonorrhea is easily curable but if left untreated it can cause serious health problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease(PID), which can lead to abdominal pain and ectopic pregnancy in women. Untreated, gonorrhea can also lead to infertility, meningitis and septicaemia. Read More >>
CHLAMYDIA
Chlamydia is caused by the bacterium chlamydia trachomatis. This bacteria can infect the cervix in women and the urethra and rectum in both men and women.
Occasionally chlamydia can also affect other parts of the body, including the throat and eyes. Chlamydia often has no symptoms, especially among women. If left untreated, chlamydia can cause serious problems later in life. Read More >>
Occasionally chlamydia can also affect other parts of the body, including the throat and eyes. Chlamydia often has no symptoms, especially among women. If left untreated, chlamydia can cause serious problems later in life. Read More >>
HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)
Genital warts, caused by some types of HPV (human papilloma virus), can appear on the skin anywhere in the genital area as white or flesh-coloured, smooth, small bumps, or larger, fleshy, cauliflower-like lumps. There are more than 100 different subtypes of HPV, and around 30 of them specifically affect the genitals. Read More >>
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
HIV can damage the immune system and raise the risk of contracting other viruses or bacteria and certain cancers. If left untreated, it can lead to stage 3 HIV, known as AIDS. But with today’s treatment, many people living with HIV don’t ever develop AIDS. Read More >>
Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is also known as “trich.” It’s caused by a tiny protozoan organism that can be passed from one person to another through genital contact. Less than one-third of people with trich develop symptoms. When symptoms do develop, they may include:
• discharge from the vagina or penis
• burning or itching around the vagina or penis
• pain or discomfort during urination or sex
• frequent urination
In women, trich-related discharge often has an unpleasant or “fishy” smell.
If left untreated, trich can lead to:
• infections of the urethra
• pelvic inflammatory disease • infertility
• discharge from the vagina or penis
• burning or itching around the vagina or penis
• pain or discomfort during urination or sex
• frequent urination
In women, trich-related discharge often has an unpleasant or “fishy” smell.
If left untreated, trich can lead to:
• infections of the urethra
• pelvic inflammatory disease • infertility
STDs From Oral Sex
Vaginal and anal sex aren’t the only way STDs are transmitted. It’s also possible to contract or transmit an STD through oral sex. In other words, STDs can be passed from one person’s genitals to another person’s mouth or throat and vice versa.
Oral STDs aren’t always noticeable. When they do cause symptoms, they often include a sore throat or sores around the mouth or throat.
Oral STDs aren’t always noticeable. When they do cause symptoms, they often include a sore throat or sores around the mouth or throat.
Diagnosis
In most cases, doctors can’t diagnose STDs based on symptoms alone. If your doctor or other healthcare provider suspects you might have an STD, they’ll likely recommend tests to check.
Depending on your sexual history, your healthcare provider might recommend STD testing even if you don’t have symptoms. This is because STDs don’t cause noticeable symptoms in many cases. But even symptom-free STDs can cause damage or be passed to other people.
Depending on your sexual history, your healthcare provider might recommend STD testing even if you don’t have symptoms. This is because STDs don’t cause noticeable symptoms in many cases. But even symptom-free STDs can cause damage or be passed to other people.
Treatment
The recommended treatment for STDs varies, depending on what STD you have. It’s very important that you and your sexual partner be successfully treated for STDs before resuming sexual activity. Otherwise, you can pass an infection back and forth between you.
Summary
If you test positive for an STD, it’s important to get treatment as soon as possible. If you have one STD, it can often increase your chances of contracting another. Some STDs can also lead to severe consequences if left untreated. In rare cases, untreated STDs may even be fatal.
Fortunately, most STDs are highly treatable. In some cases, they can be cured entirely. In other cases, early and effective treatment can help relieve symptoms, lower your risk of complications, and protect sexual partners.
Fortunately, most STDs are highly treatable. In some cases, they can be cured entirely. In other cases, early and effective treatment can help relieve symptoms, lower your risk of complications, and protect sexual partners.
