8 Sexually Transmitted Diseases You Should Know About
Sexually transmitted diseases (also known as sexually transmitted infections or STIs) are illnesses that are passed from one person to another through sex. Although they can affect both men and women, they’re more common among women because they affect the Fallopian tubes, which transport eggs from the ovaries.
Eggs are also a common route for bacterial pathogens to travel in women who have bacterial vaginosis, which is a form of vaginosis that is passed from woman to woman.
The good news is that most sexually transmitted diseases are curable with proper medical treatment. However, some are more treatable than others.
Here is what you need to know about STI’s and how you can protect yourself and your partner from them.
What are Sexually Transmitted Diseases?
A sexually transmitted disease is an infection that is passed from one person to another through sex.
The transmission route depends on the type of STI and the health of the person being infected.
One of the most common Sexually Transmitted Diseases is chlamydia, which is passed through sexual intercourse with an infected male or female. Chlamydia can also be passed from pregnant women to their newborn baby through unprotected sex.
The most common STI in Europe is gonorrhea, which is passed through intercourse with an infected male or female.
Other common STIs in Europe include syphilis, herpes, and HIV. transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
Herpes is the most common infection in the United States and Europe.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that can cause PID (pelvic inflammatory disease), a condition in which the opening of the uterus (the cervix) becomes infected. This condition can be treated with antibiotics and prevented with a pre-natal screening.
Chlamydia is more commonly transmitted in women than in men, with rates higher among women aged 15-24. Chlamydia can also be spread to other areas of the body through Genital herpes is a common STI in the United States and Europe, with rates higher among people 15-24 years old.
Herpes can also be passed from one gender to the other, usually through Genital herpes is a common STI in the United States and Europe, with rates higher among people 15-24 years old.
Gonorrhea
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that can be passed from one person to another through unprotected sex. The most common site of infection is the back passage (erectile area), though the throat, vagina, and mouth can also host the infection. Gonorrhea is less common in women than in men.
While gonorrhea can be passed from one person to another through unprotected sex, it’s more likely to happen when women cum in their partners’ mouths compared to when men do. Genital gonorrhea is more common among young people, including teens.
Gonorrhea test kits can be used for self test at home in privacy.
Oral gonorrhea test-8 is the test used for diagnoses of gonorrhea.
Herpes
Herpes is a disease caused by two types of viruses: herpesviruses and herpes-immunity. Herpesviruses are also responsible for cold sores, shingles, and certain cancers.
Herpes-immunity results in a number of diseases, including a high rate of Soto’s syndrome, a rare disease that can cause deafness, blindness, and developmental disabilities.
Herpes can be passed from one person to the other through Genital Herpes is a common STI in the United States and Europe, with rates higher among people 15-24 years old.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
HIV
HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is the cause of acquired immune deficiency syndrome, which is characterized by lack of one or both types of immune cells, called T and B lymphocytes, which are necessary for immunity.
While most people with HIV are asymptomatic or don’t know they have the condition, about 10-20% of people have HIV-induced immunodeficiency, which can include fever, tiredness, and skin sores.
This condition can be treated with drugs, but it can be prevented with a pre-exposure prophylactic (PEP) treatment. HIV is less common among people of Black and Hispanic ethnicity.
Syphilis
Syphilis is a bacterial infection that can be passed from one person to another through sexual contact. The most common site of infection is the anterior (back) portion of the penis, though the eye, orbit, and rectum can also host the infection.
An estimated 60% of people with Syphilis are asymptomatic. Other common sites of infection include the Marks and Granzow on the mouth, hands, and feet.
While most people with Syphilis are asymptomatic, about 10-20% of people have a sores-like rash that may indicate the infection.
This condition is called titer, which is usually accompanied by a fever.
A rash, Fever, and Anal or Genital Syphilis is one of the most common Sexually Transmitted Diseases among young people, with rates higher among Blacks, Hispanics, and 18- to 24-year-old males.
Tuberculosis
Bacillary Tuberculosis is the leading causes of death among people with HIV/AIDS. The disease is rarely spread through the air. Rather, it’s caused by a bacteria that stays in the air when people breathe in infected air and is transferred from one person to another when they have unprotected sex.
The most common site of infection is the genital area, though the lung, mouth, and digestive tract can also host the infection. Aids in the diagnosis of Tb includes smear tests for testis and for ova, sputum tests for bronchus, and tuberculin skin test.
Hepatitis B and C
Both hepatitis B and C are common infections, though they’re treatable if caught early. HBV and HCV are also spread through contact with contaminated objects, like needles or syringes, or through sexual contact. The hepatitis viruses are usually mild and pass through the body without causing any symptoms.
However, if left untreated, some people develop chronic hepatitis, which is a disease that can lead to liver damage, weight loss, and even death.
Hepatitis C can be passed from person to person through sex or shared needles, and it can be transmitted through blood products, such as blood or blood products from an infected person who is not an emergency department physician.
HPV (Human papillomavirus infection)
HPV is the most common Sexually Transmitted Diseases in the United States, with rates higher among people who are uninsured or those under age 25. The virus is also connected to a number of diseases, including cancers of the vulva, anus, penis, and mouth.
HPV is usually transferred through sexual contact, though it can also be passed from mother to baby in the first few months of pregnancy. Potential pregnant women should receive a full Sexually Transmitted Diseases survey, as well as a Pregnancy Test, before getting pregnant.
Conclusion
Depending on the type of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, treatment can either help or completely reverse the effects of the infection. Sexually Transmitted Diseases are different in everyone, and the best treatment for each depends on the course of the infection and the health of the person.
It’s also important to remember that Sexually Transmitted Diseases does not mean you’re pregnant. Remember, you can get all of these infections without being pregnant. Stay safe, protect yourself, and get your sex education right!
