Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs, venereal diseases) are among the most common infectious diseases today. STDs are sometimes referred to as sexually transmitted infections, since these conditions involve the transmission of an infectious organism between sex partners. More than 20 different STDs have been identified, and about 19 million men and women are infected each year in the United States, according to the CDC (2010).

Depending on the disease, the infection can be spread through any type of sexual activity involving the sex organs, the anus, or the mouth; an infection can also be spread through contact with blood during sexual activity. STDs are infrequently transmitted by any other type of contact (blood, body fluids or tissue removed from an STD infected person and placed in contact with an uninfected person); however, people that share unsterilized needles markedly increase the chance to pass many diseases, including STD's (especially hepatitis B), to others. Some diseases are not considered to be officially an STD (for example, hepatitis types A, C, E) but are infrequently noted to be transferred during sexual activity. Consequently, some authors include them as STD's, others do not. Consequently, lists of STD's can vary, depending on whether the STD is usually transmitted by sexual contact or only infrequently transmitted.

• Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Causes

  Depending on the disease, STDs can be spread with any type of sexual activity. STDs are most often caused by viruses and bacteria. The following is a list of the most common STDs, their causes and other infections (see STDs with asterisk mark*) that may be transmitted on occasion by sexual activity, but are frequently not considered primarily to be an STD by many investigators:
  STDs caused by bacteria
  • Chancroid (Haemophilus ducreyi)
    
  • Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis)
    
  • Gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhea)
    
  • Granuloma inguinale (Calymmatobacterium granulomatis)
    
  • Lymphogranuloma venereum (Chlamydia trachomatis)
    
  • Syphilis (Treponema pallidum)
  STDs caused by viruses
  • Genital herpes (herpes simplex virus)
    
  • Genital warts (human papillomavirus virus [HPV])
    
  • Hepatitis B and D, and infrequently, A*,C*,E* (hepatitis viruses, types A-E)
    
  • HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus [HIV virus])
    
  • Molluscum contagiosum* (poxvirus)
  STD caused by protozoan
  • Trichomoniasis (Trichomonas vaginalis)
  STD's* caused by fungi
  • Jock itch (Tenia cruris)*
    
  • Yeast infections* (Candida albicans)
  STD's caused by parasites
  • Pubic lice or crabs (Pediculosis pubis)
    
  • Scabies*  Sarcoptes scabiei

    Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Symptoms

    Common STDs have a variety of symptoms (if symptoms develop at all) and many different complications, including death.
    Symptoms of STDs caused by bacteria
    Chancroid Symptoms
    • Are not common in the United States but common in developing countries.
      
    • Symptoms include painful ulcers on the genitals.
      
    • Can be confused with syphilis or herpes
      
    • Is treatable with antibiotics
    Chlamydia symptoms
    • Most common of all STDs caused by bacteria.
      
    • Cause no symptoms in about 80% of women and 50% of men
      
    • When symptoms are present, commonly there is discharge from the vagina or the penis, and burning or pain during urination.
      
    • Is transmitted through vaginal, oral, or anal sexual contact
      
    • Ectopic pregnancy and infertility for women are potential serious complications.
      
    • Is treatable with antibiotics
    Gonorrhea symptoms
    • Discharge from the vagina or the penis
      
    • Over 50% of infected women have no symptoms, but they can still transmit the disease to others.
      
    • Painful urination
      
    • Ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility for women, Fitzhugh-Curtis syndrome (perihepatitis) and death are potential serious complications.
      
    • Is treatable with antibiotics
    

    
    

    Granuloma inguinale (donovanosis) symptoms

    • Not common in the U.S.
      
    • Symptoms are painless genital ulcers in the groin area.
      
    • Is treatable with antibiotics, usually for three or more weeks
    Lymphogranuloma venereum
    • Not common in the U. S.
      
    • Symptoms are abscesses (buboes) in the groin, rectum or other areas; fistulas that drain pus may occur and are treatable with antibiotics.
    Syphilis
    • Symptoms are mild and often go undetected initially
      
    • Starts with a painless genital ulcer that goes away on its own
      
    • Rash, fever, headache, achy joints
      
    • Is treatable with antibiotics
      
    • More serious complications associated with later stages of the disease if undetected and untreated
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Symptoms of STDs caused by viruses
    Genital herpes
    • Recurring outbreaks of blister-like sores on the genitals
      
    • Can be transmitted from a mother to her baby during birth
      
    • Reduction in frequency and severity of blister outbreaks with treatment but not complete elimination of infection.
      
    • Can be transmitted by a partner who has herpes even if no blisters are present.
    
    
    
    
    Picture of Herves Simplek Virus Type 1
    
    
    
    
    Genital warts
    • Caused by a virus related to skin warts, human papillomavirus (HPV)
      
    • Small, painless bumps in the genital or anal areas (sometimes in large clusters that look like cauliflower)
      
    • Various treatments available (for example, freezing or painting the warts with medication)
      
    • Vaccines are available against the most common types of HPV
    
    Picture of genital wart (HPV
    Hepatitis
    • Hepatitis B and D are most often associated with sexual contact, hepatitis A, C, E are less frequently transmitted by sexual contact.
      
    • Both may be transmitted via contact with blood; for hepatitis B, sexual transmission is believed to be responsible for 30% of the cases worldwide.
      
    • The hepatitis B virus can cause both an initial (acute) and a chronic form of liver inflammation. Only 50% of acute infections with the hepatitis B virus produce symptoms. The initial phase of infection lasts a few weeks, and in most people (90%-95%), the infection clears.
      
    • Acute infection can cause yellowish skin and eyes, fever, achy, tired (flu-like symptoms).
      
    • Severe complications in some people, including cirrhosis and liver cancer may occur in a small percent of individuals infected with HBV.
      
    • Treatments are available and remission is possible with some aggressive medications.
      
    • Immunizations are available to prevent hepatitis B.
    HIV/AIDS
    • Spread primarily by sexual contact and from sharing IV needles
      
    • Can be transmitted at the time a person becomes infected with other STDs
      
    • No specific symptoms or physical signs confirm HIV infection.
      
    • The average time from infection to the development of symptoms related to immunosuppression (decreased functioning of the immune system) is 10 years.
      
    • Fatigue, night sweats, chills, or fever lasting several weeks, headaches, andcough may occur a few weeks after contracting the virus initially.
      
    • Serious complications of AIDS include unusual infections or cancers, weight loss, intellectual deterioration (dementia), and death.
      
    • No current cure but medications are available to slow disease progression.
    Molluscum contagiosum
    • Small (2-5mm) raised areas (papules) on the skin
      
    • Contagious, usually by direct skin to skin contact
      
    • Self-limited over months to years; treated with some topical creams
      
    • Often cryotherapy (freezing) or surgical removal is performed
    Symptoms of STDs caused by protozoan
    Trichomonas
    • Frothy vaginal discharge with a strong odor
      
    • Treated with antibacterial/antiprotozoal medicines
    Symptoms of STDs* caused by fungi
    Jock itch (genital itching or Tenia cruris)* (not always an STD)
    • Itchy groin skin, sometimes has a reddish color
      
    • Is treated with topical antifungal medicines
    Yeast infection (Candidiasis)* (not always an STD)
    • Cheese-like vaginal discharge or whitish exudates sometimes with a reddish hue to the skin; it may occur around the foreskin of infected males; common symptoms are itching and burning sensation of the vagina or penis.
      
    • Is treated with topical antifungal medicines in most cases
    Symptoms of STDs caused by parasites
    Pubic lice
    • Very tiny bugs that are found in pubic hair, sometimes referred to as "crabs"
      
    • Can be picked up from clothing or bedding
      
    • First noticed as itching in the pubic area
      
    • Are treatable with creams, anti-lice agents, and combing
    Scabies
    • Skin infestation caused by a tiny mite
      
    • Highly contagious
      
    • Intense itching is the primary symptom, which worsens at night
      
    • Spread primarily by sexual contact or from contact with skin, infested sheets, towels, or furniture
      
    • Is treated with creams

      When to Seek Medical Care

      A medical examination may be necessary if a person believes he or she may have an STD or if he or she may have been exposed to someone with an STD. Being seen by a doctor as soon as possible after exposure to an STD is important; these infections can easily spread to others and can have serious complications.
      Go to a hospital's emergency department in these circumstances if:
      • an STD problem worsens;
        
      • a fever develops with other symptoms; or
        
      • if it will be a couple of days before the individual can be evaluated by a doctor.
      
      

      Exams and Tests

      Some STDs can be diagnosed without any tests at all (for example, pubic lice). Other STDs require a blood test or a sample of any unusual fluid (such as an abnormal discharge from the vagina or the penis for gonorrhea or chlamydia) to be analyzed in a lab to help establish a diagnosis. Some tests are completed while a person waits; other tests require a few days before a person may obtain the results (for example, syphilis).

      Medical Treatment

      The treatment of an STD varies depending on the type of STD. Some STDs require a person to take antibiotic medication either by mouth or by injection; other STDs require a person to apply creams or special solutions on the skin. Often, reexamination by a doctor is necessary after the treatment to confirm that the STD is completely gone.

      Some STDs, such as genital herpes and HIV (which leads to AIDS), cannot be cured, only controlled with medication.

      Prevention

      The best way to prevent STDs is to avoid sexual contact with others. If people decide to become sexually active, they can reduce the risk of developing an STD in these ways:

      • Practice abstinence (refrain from sex entirely) or be in a monogamous relationship (both sexual partners are each other's only sexual partner).
        
      • Delay having sexual relations as long as possible. The younger people are when they become sexually active, the higher the lifetime risk for contracting an STD. The risk also increases with the number of sexual partners.
        
      • Correctly and consistently use a male latex condom. The spermicide nonoxynol-9, once thought to protect against STDs as well as to prevent pregnancy, has been proven to be ineffective for disease prevention. Do not rely on it. In addition, condoms are only about 90% effective in preventing STDs
        
      • Have regular medical checkups even if you do not have symptoms of an STD.
        
      • Learn the symptoms of STDs.
        
      • Avoid douching because it removes some of the natural protection in the vagina.
        
      • Vaccines against HPV and hepatitis B are available and effective.

      Source:http://www.emedicinehealth.com/sexually_transmitted_diseases/