STDs: Types, Causes, Prevention, Diagnosis, And Treatment
STDs are sexually transmitted diseases, also known as ‘venereal diseases’ (VD) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They are among the most common contagious diseases and can be caused by a number of microorganisms that vary in symptoms, size, life cycle, and susceptibility to available treatments. Such organisms may pass to another person through blood, semen, or vaginal and other bodily fluids. So, sexually transmitted diseases are transmitted from one person to another through intimate physical contact, mostly – but not exclusively through sexual intercourse. They can also be transmitted nonsexually, such as from mother to infant during pregnancy or childbirth, through blood transfusions or shared unsterilized needles, etc.
However, there are some infections that can be passed through sexual contact but are not classed as STDs. Meningitis is one of the infections which is part of this group. This because bacteria that cause meningitis can already live in your body or anywhere in the environment, so people can acquire a meningitis infection for other reasons as well.
Some of the common STDs are chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and human papillomavirus (HPV). Many of these infections do not show symptoms for a long time, however, they can still be serious and spread to another person.
Statistics And Reports
According to CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the number of people infected with STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) hit an unsurpassed high in 2017, according to preliminary data released on August 28, 2018. The CDC’s data estimates more than 2.3 million new cases of gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia reported that year.
Whereas, according to WebMD, more than 65 million Americans have an incurable STD, from where fifty percent of this number are people aged from 15 to 24. While 1 in 4 sexually active adolescent females has an STD.
Types Of STDs
There are 3 different types of STDs: bacterial, viral, and parasitic.
Bacterial STDs are caused by bacterias, such as gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, etc. and are curable through treatment with antibiotics. However, they often give no warning signs or symptoms, and if not treated with time, they can cause serious complications. Some of the most common bacterial STDs are Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV).
Viral STDs are caused by viruses transmitted from person-to-person during sexual activity. However, there are many ways it can pass to another person through non-sexual contact as well. Viral STDs include HIV AIDS, Oral & Genital Herpes, HPV (Genital Warts), and Hepatitis B.
Parasitic STDs are caused by parasites, and same as bacterial and viral STDs, they can be passed through sexual or non-sexual contact. The common parasitic STDs include Trichomoniasis, Scabies, and Pubic Lice.
Causes Of STDs
Sexually transmitted diseases can be caused by:
Bacteria (gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia)
Parasites (trichomoniasis)
Viruses (human papillomavirus, genital herpes, HIV)
Whereas, most common ways through which one can get infected with an STD include:
Having unprotected sex
Having multiple sexual partners
Improper or inconsistent use of condoms
Having a history of STIs
Abusing alcohol or using recreational drugs
Injecting drugs or using unsterilized needles
Transmission from mother to infant during pregnancy or delivery
Symptoms Of STDs
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are characterized by different signs and symptoms, but they are not always obvious or existent.
Sometimes, a person may have been infected with a symptom-free STD for years, without being aware of it. This kind of STDs are called asymptomatic Stds, i.e. not characterized by any signs or symptoms. STDs which for some may be asymptomatic are primary HIV infection, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HPV, and herpes.
Whereas, signs and symptoms that might indicate other STDs are as below:
Sores or bumps on the genitals or in the oral or rectal area
Painful or burning sensation during urination
Sore, swollen lymph nodes, especially in the groin
Pain during sexual intercourse
Lower abdominal pain
Unusual discharge from the penis or vagina
Unusual vaginal bleeding
Fever
To know more about each STD and their symptoms, see here.
Prevention Of STDs
The good news is that sexually transmitted diseases are avoidable, treatable and worth discussing. Some of the ways to avoid or reduce your risk of sexually transmitted infections are as the following:
1. Abstain from sexual intercourse
2. Communicate and verify
3. Use condoms and dental dams consistently
4. Get vaccinated
5. Get screened (especially pregnant women)
6. Consider male circumcision
7. Avoid excessive alcohol or drugs
Learn in details about preventing Sexually Transmitted Diseases here.
Diagnosis
Blood tests: Mostly used to confirm infection with HIV or later stages of syphilis.
Urine samples
Fluid samples: Testing discharge and samples from genital sores
Screening: Even if you don’t have any symptoms, screening is a useful option to get diagnosed, especially for pregnant women who can transmit their infections to their babies.
Treatment
If you test positive for an STD, it’s crucial to get treated as soon as possible. If you already are infected with a sexually transmitted infection, it can often contract another infection or if left untreated, it can cause severe consequences or can even be fatal. The good news is that most of these infections are treatable and often can be cured entirely.
The recommended treatment depends on the type of STD. Thus, bacterial STDs are usually treated using antibiotics. Make sure all your antibiotics as prescribed and inform your doctor if the symptoms are persistent even after having used the recommended medication.
Viral STDs have usually no cure, but some of them can clear on their own or you can use medications to relieve symptoms and lower the chances of transmission. For example, there are many treatment options to stop the progression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or alleviate the severity of herpes symptoms.
Parasitic STDs are mostly treated with oral or topical medications.
Disclaimer: The contents of this article: text, graphics, images, and other materials contained are strictly for informational purposes only. The Content is NOT intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice, or treatment. Please ALWAYS seek the advice of a qualified health provider with all the questions that you have related to, or about, a medical condition.