Facts about Common STDs
There are a varied number of STDs. Here you will find an overview on the most common sexually transmitted diseases found today.
Most commonly found sexually transmitted disease. Actual penetration or sexual intercourse is not required to pass disease. It can be spread [Anchor to transmission page in Chlamydia web site] through heavy petting or contact with the infected person's genitals, mouth or anus. Chlamydia can also enter the body through the eye, by rubbing the eyes with contaminated hands. A mother can also pass chlamydia to her baby during delivery. Chlamydia is not transmitted through towels, doorknobs, or toilet seats.
Chlamydia is very common among teenagers and young adults. The cervix (opening to the womb or uterus) of young women is very susceptible to STDs. Also, because signs or symptoms are not obvious at first, many persons might have it unknowingly. Although chlamydia may never even show symptoms, some of the symptoms [Anchor to symptoms page in Chlamydia web site] include: vaginal discharge (liquid), pain during sex and urination, pain in lower abdomen, bleeding between periods (spotting), or mild fever. Men may experience discharge, itching or burning feelings in their penis.
Only a doctor or health clinic can diagnose chlamydia. Chlamydia is curable and can be treated with antibiotics prescribed by a health care provider. If chlamydia is left untreated, it can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) [Anchor to PID paragraph below]. To prevent, use latex condoms during sex. But, abstinence [Anchor to Abstinence page below] (no sex) is the best way to avoid chlamydia and any other STD.
Gonorrhea is also a common sexually transmitted disease, which many people have it and may not know they do. At times, actual penetration is not required to pass disease. However, it is most often transmitted through sexual intercourse-vaginal, oral and/or anal. Gonorrhea of the rectum can also develop through anal intercourse or among women by moving from the vagina to the rectum.
Signs or symptoms may not be obvious for up to several months. Some of the symptoms [Anchor to symptoms page in Gonorrhea web site] include: yellow-green or bloody vaginal discharge (liquid), burning sensation when urinating (going to the toilet), spotting (bleeding between periods), bleeding due to sexual intercourse, abdominal pain/swelling, or fever. Men may feel a severe burning sensation when urinating or have green pus coming out of their penis. Men tend to experience symptoms more often than women. Can also cause rash, fever, and pain in joints, mainly the knees. Gonorrhea can lead to infertility and sterility, ability to have or father babies, respectively. Mothers can also transmit it to babies during birth causing blindness, infection, or death.
Only a doctor or health clinic can diagnose chlamydia. Gonorrhea is curable and can be treated with antibiotics prescribed by a health care provider. If gonorrhea is left untreated, it can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) [Anchor to PID paragraph below]. To prevent, use latex condoms during sex. But, abstinence (no sex) is the best way to avoid gonorrhea and any other STD.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive organs. This progressive (grows and becomes worse) infection attacks mostly the fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and/or ovaries.[Insert picture of Female reproductive system] PID is usually developed as result of chlamydia or gonorrhea. For this reason, it is important to treat these diseases. PID can lead to infertility. Women loose their ability to have babies. It can also lead to ectopic pregnancies, where the baby develops in the fallopian tubes instead of in the womb or uterus.
It could take a while for signs or symptoms of PID to surface. But, some of the symptoms include: tenderness and pain in lower abdomen, fever, vomiting, backache, difficulty walking, heavy periods, pain during sex, and bad-smelling discharge coming from vagina.
Only a doctor or health clinic can diagnose PID. PID is curable and can be treated with antibiotics prescribed by a health care provider. If PID is left untreated, it can lead to infertility. To prevent, use latex condoms during sex. But, abstinence [Anchor to Abstinence page below] (no sex) is the best way to avoid PID and any other STD.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a very small bacteria that can live almost anywhere in the body. Syphilis is transmitted by sexual contact (vagina, oral, and/or anal) and from mother to baby during pregnancy. In sexual transmission, actual penetration is not required to pass disease.
Syphilis occurs in four stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. During these four stages, the disease progressively (continuously advances) damages the body.
Syphilis can lead to mental illness, blindness, neurological problems, heart disease, and death. In fact, syphilis causes so many different symptoms that it is commonly called "The Great Imitator" because it mimics so many different diseases.
Syphilis can remain the body for many years, even up to 20 years! That's if it doesn't kill you first. But, syphilis can be treated by injecting antibiotics, usually penicillin. Treatment with antibiotics can stop syphilis at any stage, but it cannot reverse damaged already made by disease. Syphilis also increases the chances of getting HIV. This is because sores allow the HIV virus that causes AIDS to enter the disease more readily.
A doctor can diagnose syphilis by recognizing the symptoms the patient shows, studying the sores, and through blood tests. To prevent syphilis, avoid coming into contact with sores, blood, and other bodily fluids of infected person. Abstinence or delaying having sex with a persons who a person who has syphilis is the best way to avoid acquiring the disease through sexual contact. If you are having sex (vaginal, oral, and or/ anal) in a non-mutually monogamous relationship always use a latex condom or another latex barrier.
Also referred to as Trichomonas or Tric. This is a very common STD. The disease is caused by a small one-celled organism, that is a parasite. This parasite can be passed through sexual contact and by sharing damp bathing suits, towels, or washcloths, where it survives for a few hours.
Trichomonas causes vaginitis, a condition that produces inflammation of the vagina. Signs or symptoms among women include a heavy yellowish-green discharge from vagina with a foul odor (bad smell). Vagina becomes itchy and it may cause pain when urinating or having sex. Some pain in abdomen also. Men tend to show no signs or symptoms, but can pass to others during sexual contact. Trich can happen at the same time with other STDs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. So it is important to get checked.
Only a doctor or health clinic can diagnose and treat Trichomonas with antibiotics. To prevent, use latex condoms during sex and avoid sharing bathing suits, towels, and washcloths. But, abstinence (no sex) is the best way to avoid Trich and any other STD through sexual contact.
There are two types of herpes virus. The first, causes cold sores or fever blisters around the mouth, lips, or nose. It can be transmitted on eating utensils, towels, and razors. The second type of herpes virus affects the genital areas, such as the vagina, penis, scrotum (sac that holds testicles), thighs, buttocks, and anus. It can be transmitted by sexual intercourse, oral-genital contact, and heavy petting.
Genital herpes causes itching, pain, sores, red bumps, or cuts in vagina, penis, testicles, buttocks, anus, and scrotum. Sores appear in genital areas, starting as red bumps that become blisters that are red and watery. The sores make it painful to urinate. They, then rupture (open), drip or bleed, scab, and clear up. Sores, bumps or cuts might seem to disappear after a while, but they are hiding in body and come back later. The sores can become very painful and be passed from person to person whether they are visible or hiding.
Herpes increases the chances of getting HIV [link to HIV Index page in HIV web site] due to the sores. Pregnant women with herpes can pass it to their babies during birth, this can cause illness or disabilities such as seizures and brain damage on the baby.
There is no cure for genital herpes, but some viral (attacks virus) medication prescribed by a doctor can help pain and clear the sores. To prevent, you may use latex condoms during sex, but uncovered skin affected with genital herpes will still transmit virus. Abstinence [Anchor to Abstinence page below] (no sex) is the best way to avoid genital herpes and any other STD through sexual contact.
Looks similar to warts in hands, but are passed through sexual contact, including heavy petting. Genital warts are also called venereal warts and are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Genital warts are passed rarely from mother to baby during birth and cannot be transmitted through towels, doorknobs, or toilet seats. Genital warts are found in the vagina, cervix (opening to womb or uterus), penis, scrotum, and anus.
Some warts can be big and look like a cauliflower, others are too small to see without a microscope. The virus that causes genital warts can live in the body for a long time without causing any symptoms. Once genital warts develop, they can grow bigger and multiply if left untreated.
Some forms of genital warts are linked to cervical cancer (at the opening of the womb or uterus). Women should go get a Pat Test once a year after age 18 or younger if sexually active. The Pap test helps doctors detect genital warts and prevent cervical cancer from HPV.
Go to a doctor for testing and treatment. Only a doctor can treat HPV. It is still not known if condoms can completely prevent the spread of HPV. Abstinence [Anchor to Abstinence page below] (no sex) is the best way to avoid genital warts and any other STD through sexual contact.
Hepatitis is a disease of the liver. There are different types of hepatitis (A, B, C, D, and E) that can affect the body. The most common types of hepatitis are A, B, and C. Hepatitis D and E are more rare and need the other types of hepatitis to be present to develop.
Hepatitis is a disease that can affect anyone, and that can occur as single incidents or cases as well as large outbreaks of the disease. In general, signs or symptoms of hepatitis are not obvious, especially at the beginning of the infection.
Adults tend to display signs or symptoms of hepatitis more often than children. Some of the signs or symptoms include: jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin), fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, and fever. Hepatitis A is caused by the HAV virus. Chronic infection does not occur with Hepatitis A, once infected with HAV, the person cannot contract it again.
The HAV virus is found in the stools (feces) of persons with hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is spread by putting something in the mouth that is contaminated with the stool of a person with the disease. Persons at risk of developing Hepatitis A are: persons living in same households as other infected people, sexual contact with infected persons, men who have sex with men, injecting and non-injecting drug users, traveling or living in areas of the U.S. and the world with increased number of cases. Casual contact (e.g., at work or school) does not spread hepatitis A.
Prevention against the hepatitis A virus includes: vaccination/immunization, washing hands with soap and water after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, and before preparing and eating food.
Immune globulin can be used as treatment or prevention for hepatitis A. Immune globulin is a mixture of antibodies (bodies reaction against an infection) for persons who have been recently exposed to the Hepatitis A virus.
Only a doctor or a health care professional can diagnose hepatitis A through a blood test. If you think you might have been exposed to hepatitis A or any other kind of infectious disease, contact a doctor, clinic, or any other health care provider for testing and treatment.
Similar to hepatitis A, adults tend to show more signs or symptoms of hepatitis B than children. Approximately, 3 out of 10 persons show no signs or symptoms of hepatitis B. But, some of the symptoms include: jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and joint pain. Hepatitis B is caused by the HBV virus.
Transmission of the disease happens when a person without immunity comes into contact with blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person. Hepatitis B can be spread by having unprotected sex with an infected person, sharing needles when doing IV drugs, steroids, piercing and tattooing, being exposed to sharps on the job, or from mother to baby during birth.
Some of the persons who are at risk of hepatitis B are also at risk for hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS. Some of the groups at risk include: persons with multiple sex partners, persons diagnosed with other STDs, men who have sex with men, injection drug users, household contacts of chronically ill infected individuals, health care and public safety workers, and hemodialysis patients.
The best way to prevent hepatitis B is by vaccination (getting a shot). Pregnant women should get tested for hepatitis B. It is also recommended to avoid coming into contact with infected persons blood or other bodily fluids. So, always use latex condoms during sex if you are not involved in a mutually monogamous relationship, do not share personal items that might have blood in them such as razors or toothbrushes, do not share needles if using steroids, getting pierced or a tattoo. Avoid using IV drugs, if you do, then do not share needles. Health care or public safety workers should handle needles and other sharps carefully. The use of alcohol and other drugs can further aggravate liver damage than is caused by hepatitis alone.
Only a doctor or a health care professional can diagnose hepatitis B through a blood test. If you think you might have been exposed to hepatitis B or any other kind of infectious disease, contact a doctor, clinic, or any other health care provider for testing and treatment.
Hepatitis C was recently discovered a few years ago. Most persons, about 80%, infected with hepatitis C show no signs or symptoms. However, some of the symptoms include: jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin), fatigue, dark urine, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and nausea. Hepatitis C is caused by the HCV virus. A long-term effect of hepatitis C is chronic liver disease. This may lead to the need for liver transplant or even death!
As with other forms of the disease, hepatitis C occurs when an uninfected person comes into contact with blood or other bodily fluids of infected persons. So, hepatitis C can be spread among IV drug users or other persons sharing needles (steroids, piercing, tattooing), needlesticks or sharp exposures at work, and from mother to baby during birth.
To avoid hepatitis C, prevention is the key. There is no vaccine available for hepatitis C. Avoid sharing needles and personal care items (razors, toothbrushes), dispose of sharps into a sharp container, be aware of hepatitis and other diseases if getting pierced or tattooed. Most infections are due to illegal injection drug use. Always use latex condoms or other kind of latex barrier if having sex in a non-mutually monogamous sexual relationship.
Since hepatitis c was only recently discovered, some health care professionals are often unaware of current information, regarding diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Despite this, only a doctor or a health care professional can diagnose hepatitis C through a blood test. If you think you might have been exposed to hepatitis C or any other kind of infectious disease, contact a doctor, clinic, or any other health care provider for testing and treatment. If you test positive for hepatitis C, avoid donating blood. Drinking alcohol or using other drugs might worsen your liver disease.
Pubic lice, commonly called Crabs, are small insects that suck on a person's blood in genital areas. The lice can jump from one person's pubic hair to another during sexual contact, without the need of actual intercourse. Pubic lice can also be passed through clothes, towels, and bedding.
Pubic lice cause intense itching. Infected persons may notice the white-gray eggs of the insects, which attach to pubic hair and are very hard to remove. It is easy to pass lice from one person to another, even if you use a condom. If you have pubic lice, go to a doctor for treatment.
Additional steps to take include dry cleaning or washing all bedding, towels, and/or clothing with very hot water.
AIDS is a very serious illness that can lead to death. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).
HIV affects the immune system (protection against diseases), so any simple infection, even the common cold, can be bad for the person with the disease. This is especially true once the person has developed AIDS.
Some of the signs or symptoms might not be obvious at first, even for several years. However, some of the symptoms include weight loss and tiredness (fatigue), fever, swollen glands, chronic (prolonged) diarrhea, many different types of infections (e.g., fungus, cold), sore throat, and/or purplish spots on the skin.
Spreads through contact with infected person's blood or other bodily fluids. HIV can spread through sex (vaginal, oral, and/or anal), sharing injectable drug needles or syringes (including steroids), unsanitary piercing and tattooing, and from infected mother to baby through pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. So, persons at higher risk of being exposed to the HIV virus, include: all sexually active persons, all illegal drug users, men who have sex with men, babies of infected mothers, and medical health care workers. HIV is not spread through hugs, sneeze, cough, insect bites, towels, toilet seats, or door knobs.
The best way to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS through sexual contact is by abstaining from having sex with an infected person. If you decide not to abstain, use a latex condom or any other latex or polyurethane barrier (e.g., female condom). Also, avoid using injectable drugs or any other types of drugs. If using injectable drugs do not share used needles. Also, avoid sharing needles if using steroids. Use new, clean needles and equipment when piercing or tattooing.
Only a doctor or health care professional can determine through testing if a person is infected with HIV or AIDS. So go get tested if you think you might have been exposed to HIV, the test is confidential. Currently, there is no cure available for HIV/AIDS, but some medications are available to control the virus and the disease and help people live longer.