Friday, May 19, 2023 | KFF Health News

common types of stds :: Article Creator

Oral STDs: What Are The Symptoms?

Oral STDs can present with a range of different symptoms, including unusual discharge, foul odor, and soreness.

Many people don't realize it, but you can contract a sexually transmitted infection (STI) without having vaginal or anal sex. Any skin-to-skin contact with the genitals is enough to contract an STI — or pass one to your partner.

In other words, oral sex using the mouth, lips, or tongue can pose similar risks as other sexual activities. But as with other sexual activities, you can lower the risk of transmission by using a condom or other barrier method for every sexual encounter.

Read on to learn which STIs can be contracted or transmitted through oral sex, symptoms to pay attention to, and how to get tested.

Oral sex describes any sexual act where the mouth, lips, or tongue makes contact with the genital areas or anus. This includes:

STIs are infections transmitted through sexual contact.

It's possible to have an STI without having any symptoms. So, it's always wise to take precautions and use a condom or other barrier method every time you have sex — even if you don't have any symptoms.

How can you get STIs from oral sex?

STIs pass through sexual fluids and skin-to-skin contact. When infected genital tissues make contact with the tissues in your mouth and throat, an STI can pass from the genitals to your mouth.

The reverse is also true: If you have an STI in your throat or mouth, it can pass to your partner's genitals if you perform oral sex.

Keep in mind, too, that STIs are not just transmitted through fluids. Many people (falsely) believe that avoiding contact with fluids such as semen prevents STI transmission. But in reality, any sexual contact carries a risk.

What's more, you can have an STI in more than one place at the same time, such as an STI that affects your genitals as well as your throat.

Certain STIs, such as gonorrhea, can also spread in your body. So, in some cases, an STI that mainly affects your genitals could potentially be transmitted if you make oral contact with your partner's genitals.

Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. In the United States, chlamydia is more frequently reported than any other bacterial STI.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while chlamydia can be transmitted through oral sex, it's more likely to be transmitted through anal or vaginal sex.

Chlamydia can affect the:

throat

genitals

urinary tract

rectum

Most chlamydia affecting the throat causes no symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they can include a sore throat. Chlamydia isn't a lifelong condition, and it can be cured with the right antibiotics.

Gonorrhea is a common STI caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The CDC estimates that there are about 1.14 million new cases of gonorrhea each year, with about half affecting people ages 15 to 24.

Both gonorrhea and chlamydia can technically be passed through oral sex. But according to the CDC, the exact risks are difficult to determine. People who have oral sex may also have vaginal or anal sex, which can make it difficult to determine which activity caused the infection.

Gonorrhea can affect the:

throat

genitals

urinary tract

rectum

Like chlamydia, gonorrhea of the throat often doesn't involve any symptoms. Symptoms that do appear tend to show up about 1 week after exposure and can include a sore throat.

Gonorrhea can be cured with the right antibiotics. However, reports of drug-resistant gonorrhea, in the United States and around the world, have increased.

The CDC recommends retesting if your symptoms do not go away after you've completed the full course of antibiotics.

It's also important for any partners to get tested and treated for any STIs if there's any chance they were exposed.

Syphilis is an STI caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. It is not as common as other STIs.

According to the CDC, there were 133,945 reported new syphilis diagnoses in 2020.

Syphilis can affect the:

mouth and lips

genitals

anus

rectum

Syphilis can be cured with the right antibiotics.

Without treatment, the condition will remain in your body, where it can eventually affect your blood vessels and nervous system. Syphilis can cause serious health complications, including organ damage and significant neurological outcomes.

Syphilis symptoms happen in stages:

Primary syphilis. The first stage is characterized by a painless sore, called a chancre, that appears on your genitals, on your rectum, or in your mouth. The sore may go unnoticed and will disappear on its own, even without treatment.

Secondary syphilis. During the second stage, you may have a skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, or fever.

Latent syphilis. This stage of the condition can last for years and involves no apparent signs or symptoms.

Tertiary syphilis. The third stage of the condition can affect your brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones, and joints. It can also pass to a fetus during pregnancy and cause stillbirth or other serious complications for the infant.

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is one of two types of this common viral STI.

HSV-1 is mainly transmitted through oral-to-oral or oral-to-genital contact. It can cause both oral, genital, and anal herpes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), HSV-1 affects an estimated 3.7 billion people under 50 years old around the world.

HSV-1 can affect the:

lips

mouth

throat

genitals

rectum

anus

Symptoms of oral herpes include blisters or sores, also called cold sores. They can appear on the mouth, lips, and throat.

HSV-1 can be transmitted or contracted even when no symptoms are present. HSV-1 is a lifelong condition. It can't be cured, but treatment with antiviral medication can lead to fewer outbreaks and help ease your symptoms.

The herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is transmitted mainly through vaginal or anal sexual intercourse. It can cause oral, genital, or anal herpes. According to the WHO, HSV-2 affects an estimated 491 million people ages 15 to 49 around the world.

Like HSV-1, HSV-2 can be transmitted through oral sex.

The symptoms of oral HSV-2 are much the same as oral HSV-1. You may notice blisters or sores on your mouth, lips, or tongue, though it's possible to have the virus and never experience symptoms.

HSV-2 can be contracted or transmitted even when no symptoms are present. While there's no cure for HSV-2, treatment can help ease your symptoms and lead to fewer herpes outbreaks.

Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can, in some rare cases, lead to serious illnesses such as herpes esophagitis. With this condition, you might have a fever and chills, notice difficulty swallowing or pain with swallowing, and have joint pain or a general unwell feeling.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common STI in the United States. According to 2017 estimates from the CDC, about 79 million people in the United States currently live with HPV.

HPV can be transmitted or contracted through oral, vaginal, and anal sex. HPV affects the:

mouth

throat

genitals

cervix

anus

rectum

In some cases, HPV involves no symptoms.

Certain types of HPV can cause laryngeal or respiratory papillomatosis, which affects the mouth and throat. Symptoms include:

warts in the throat

voice changes

difficulty speaking

shortness of breath

Several other types of HPV affect the mouth and throat but do not cause warts. They may cause head or neck cancer, though.

While HPV has no cure, the majority of HPV transmissions are cleared by the body on its own, without causing further complications. Surgery and other treatments can remove warts of the mouth and throat, but these may return even with treatment.

In 2006, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a vaccine for children and young adults ages 11 to 26 to prevent transmission of the most common high risk HPV strains. These are the strains associated with cervical, anal, head, and neck cancers. The vaccine also protects against common strains that cause genital warts.

In 2018, the FDA expanded its approval to adults up to 45 years old.

You do have options for lowering your risk of transmitting or contracting STIs through oral sex.

For example, you can use barriers like condoms during oral sex.

You can use outside condoms for oral sex involving a penis, and dental dams and inside condoms for oral sex involving the vulva or anus.

Before using a barrier, check to make sure the material has no cuts or tears.

Don't have a dental dam?

You can make your own with an inside or outside condom:

Cut the tip of the condom off.

Cut down the side of the condom.

You now have a square of material.

Place this material on the vulva or anus before performing oral sex.

Keep in mind, though, that barrier methods can only lower the chances of contracting or transmitting an STI during oral sex. No method can offer total protection.

In addition to using barrier methods, it's a good idea to get tested for STIs regularly. Testing can include oral exams.

For STI screenings, the CDC advises, at minimum:

yearly testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea for all sexually active women less than 25 years old

yearly testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea for all sexually active men who have sex with men

yearly testing for syphilis for men who have sex with men

yearly testing for all STIs for people with new or multiple sex partners

yearly testing for all STIs for pregnant people

one-time testing for HIV for all people ages 13 to 64

You can visit your doctor or a health clinic to get screened for HIV and other STIs. Many clinics offer free or low cost testing options.

What you can expect from the test will differ for each condition. The types of tests include:

Chlamydia and gonorrhea. This test involves a urine sample or swab of your genital area, throat, or rectum.

HIV. An HIV test requires a swab from inside your mouth or a blood sample.

Herpes. If you have symptoms, the test involves a swab of the affected area. If you do not have symptoms, a blood test can detect HSV.

Syphilis. This test involves a blood sample or swab taken from a sore.

HPV (warts of the mouth or throat). This test involves a visual diagnosis if you have symptoms, or a Pap test, also known as a Pap smear.

If you're sexually active, it's a good idea to get regular STI screening.

You may want to get screened right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

unusual discharge from your vagina, penis, or anus

itching or burning in your genitals

sores, warts, or bumps in your mouth or near your genitals

genital rashes

unexplained pain in your throat or mouth

pain in the pelvis or lower abdominal region

unusual vaginal bleeding

pain during penetrative sex

You might also want to consider STI screening if:

a current or previous sexual partner has or thinks they may have an STI

you're planning to have sex with a new partner

you had a sexual encounter without using a barrier method

To get an STI screening, you can book an appointment with your doctor's office, a local clinic, or Planned Parenthood. Some pharmacies also offer STI screening.

Interested in at-home screening? Check out our guide to the seven best options for home test kits.

What STDs can you get from oral sex?

A number of STIs can be transmitted through oral sex, including:

chlamydia

gonorrhea

syphilis

herpes, including HSV-1 and HSV-2

HPV

HIV

What are the symptoms of syphilis?

The three stages of syphilis each have their own symptoms.

The first stage is also called primary syphilis. Symptoms include painless, round sores, known as chancres, on your genitals, rectum, or mouth. You might not notice this sore, and it may disappear after about 2 to 6 weeks.

Secondary syphilis is the second stage. It's usually characterized by a skin rash on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet. This rash is painless and does not itch.

Other possible symptoms of secondary syphilis include:

Between secondary and tertiary syphilis, the condition has a latent stage. This stage can last for years and involves no signs or symptoms.

The third stage, tertiary syphilis, can occur years or decades after the initial infection. It can affect your nerves, organs, and joints. It can result in:

Antibiotics can cure syphilis if the condition is detected early.

What are the symptoms of gonorrhea?

The symptoms of gonorrhea can include:

pain or burning during urination

greater frequency or urgency of urination

a pus-like discharge or drip from your penis

discoloration and swelling at the penis opening

testicular swelling or pain

watery, creamy, or greenish vaginal discharge

unusual vaginal bleeding

pain during penetrative anal or vaginal sex

sharp pain in your lower abdomen

itching and pain in your anus

rectal bleeding or discharge

pain during bowel movements

a persistent sore throat

inflammation and redness in your throat

fever

Gonorrhea often does not involve symptoms, so many people have this STI without knowing it.

It's possible to acquire STIs through any sexual contact, including oral sex.

Wearing a condom or other barrier method — correctly and every time — is the only way to lower the risk of contracting or transmitting an STI. Just keep in mind that barrier methods don't completely remove this risk.

If you're sexually active, regular STI screening is a good option. The sooner you know your status, the earlier you can get treatment.

Types & Causes

Learn about some of the many types of sexual conditions.

Sexual Performance Anxiety

Sex is supposed to be a pleasurable experience, but it's hard to feel sexy or intimate with your partner when you have sexual performance anxiety.

Inability to Orgasm

About 10% of women have never had an orgasm -- either with a partner or during masturbation.

Paraphilias

Paraphilias are problems with controlling impulses that are characterized by recurrent and intense sexual fantasies, urges, and behaviors involving unusual objects, activities, or situations not considered sexually arousing to others.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a small organism called Trichomonas vaginalis.

Genital Warts and HPV

Human papillomavirus or HPV is an easily transmitted virus that causes genital warts. Because it also increases risk of cervical or penile cancer, it's good to get an annual checkup.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. This overview provides symptoms to watch for and treatment information.

Gonorrhea

If not treated gonorrhea can cause serious and permanent problems in both men and women. Here's what you should know.

Syphilis

This serious infection can cause long-term health problems like arthritis, brain damage, and blindness -- unless it is treated. Know the symptoms.

Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is a common and highly contagious infection usually spread through sex. Usually this infection is caused by the herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2).

Painful Sex in Women

Intercourse pain, or dyspareunia, can cause problems in a couple's sexual relationship. In addition to the physically painful sex, there is also the possibility of negative emotional effects, so the problem should be addressed as soon as it becomes evident.

Vaginitis

Vaginitis is infection or inflammation of the vagina. It can cause itching and burning, a change in vaginal discharge, and sometimes pain during sex.

Vaginismus

When a woman has vaginismus, the muscle walls of their vagina contract or spasm in response to attempted insertion, for example, with a tampon or penis

Low Testosterone and Sex Drive

estosterone isn't the only fuel for a man's sex drive and performance. But low testosterone can reduce your ability to have satisfying sex.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

While talking about sexually transmitted diseases or STDs, one usually hears only about HIV/AIDS. But there are a host of STDs that can ruin one's system and health if a person gets infected with anyone of them. Even if they aren't as life threatening as AIDS they can do enough damage to the person's sexual health and general wellbeing. Here are the different types of STDs that one can get infected with:

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is caused due to bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. This infection can happen to both men and women and it has some serious consequences too. It can cause permanent damage to the reproductive organs of a woman and affect her chances of getting pregnant later if left untreated or ignored. During the initial days after being infected with the bacteria, there might be few or no symptoms to suggest the presence of the disease. The symptoms usually start to show one or three weeks post the bacterial attack. Remember, the signs are too mild in the beginning to even make you realize that you're infected.

You can get this infection by having anal, vaginal or oral sex with a person suffering from Chlamydia. Though it is more common in the genital tracts one can even get this infection in the rectal area too.

Symptoms of Chlamydia

In women, the infection can give rise to abnormal vaginal discharge, painful urination, pain during sexual intercourse and lower abdominal pain.

In men, the infection can cause testicular pain or swelling in the testis, painful ejaculation, discharge from the penis and burning sensation while urinating.

In case of a rectal infection there could be bleeding, discharge and rectal pain both in men and women.

If a woman is pregnant with the infection there is a fair amount of chance that she can spread the infection to her child during the time of birth.

Diagnosis and treatment

Chlamydia infection is tested either by taking a urine sample or by a vaginal swab. In general, it is treated with oral medications and certain precautions. Sexual intimacy should be avoided if you're taking medication for the same. Remember immunity from an STD is not expected after an infection. In fact, the chances of a successive infection only increases after the first bacterial attack. Hence people affected with this disease should go for a proper check up for any recurrence once in every three months, if one is sexually active.

Gonorrhea

This is another form of bacterial infection that affects the genital tracts of both men and women. The bacteria causing the infection can grow in moist and warm areas of the reproductive organs of a woman including the cervix, the fallopian tube and the urethra of both men and women. That's not all, sometimes the bacteria can also grow in the mouth, throat and anus regions. The symptoms of gonorrhea can either appear within a week after being infected or remain silent for months together before acting up.

Symptoms of gonorrhea

In women, it can cause abnormal menstrual bleeding, pain during urination, burning sensation in the vagina, lower abdominal or pelvic pain, spotting after intercourse and swelling in the genital tracts. Sometimes, it can also result in a throat infection if contacted during oral sex. At times it can also cause conjunctivitis.

In men, it can cause discharge from the penis, pain or a burning sensation during urination, swelling in the testicles and throat infection if transmitted through oral sex.

A pregnant mother can pass the infection to the baby during the birthing process if she is infected with the same.

Diagnosis and treatment

To diagnose the condition a swab might be taken from the genitals of a man and cervix of a woman. Sometimes, even a throat culture or anus culture is done to check if the infection has spread to those areas. Gonorrhea can be treated and cured either with oral medications or with antibiotic injections depending on the severity of the condition and your health care expert's diagnosis of the same.

Trichomoniasis

This sexually transmitted infection is usually spread by a microscopic one-celled parasite called the trichomonas vaginalis. The parasite usually infects the urinary tract of men and the vagina of the women. But this infection often remains silent for a long time before it calls for attention. When trichomoniasis causes symptoms it can range from mild irritation to severe inflammation of the genitals.

Symptoms of trichomoniasis:

In women itching, burning, redness or soreness of the genitals, discomfort during urination, and vaginal discharge with an unusual smell are seen.

In men, the symptoms can be that of itching or irritation inside the penis, burning after urination or ejaculation, or discharge from the penis.

In general, the infection can kill the appetite for sex and without treatment it can last for months or even years.

Diagnosis and treatment

Symptoms alone would not give your doctor an accurate diagnosis of the condition. A lab test of swabs taken from the genitals of both the men and women might be necessary to confirm the diagnosis. The infection can be treated with a single dose of antibiotic but is recurrent in nature. One in five people treated for the condition has a chance of getting this infection back. So if symptoms persist even after treatment it is wise to pay a visit to the doctor again.

Hiv Infection

This is undoubtedly the most deadly of all the sexually transmitted diseases. Till date prevention of HIV is being more stressed on as a definite cure for the same has not yet been ascertained. The HIV infection interferes with the body's ability to fight of viruses or bacteria effectively that can give rise to a disease causing the immune system to weaken. This leads to AIDS or acquired immune deficiency syndrome which is a chronic life threatening disease.

HIV doesn't present with any classical symptoms at the onset. But some people develop flu-like symptoms a fortnight after acquiring the infection. Also read 9 risk factors of HIV/AIDS.

Symptoms of HIV

Fever

Headache

Sore throat

Swollen lymph glands

Rashes

Extreme fatigue

These symptoms subside within a week or so and are mistaken for other viral infections. More persistent or severe symptoms of HIV infection may not appear for 10 years after the symptoms of the initial infection subside. As the infection continues to erode the immune system it gives rise to more prominent symptoms like:

Swollen lymph nodes — often one of the first signs of HIV infection

Diarrhea

Fever of high grade

Cough and shortness of breath

Persistent, unexplained fatigue

Soaking night sweats

Persistent headaches

Unusual, opportunistic infections

Diagnosis and treatment

Once the signs and symptoms of the infection are persistent your doctor might ask for a blood test if he is suspicious of the same. The count of CD4 T cells determines the severity and status of your health with the HIV infection. HIV doesn't have a definite cure, vaccinations for the same are still in the testing phase. Medications given to check the symptoms also have their own side effects. The best way to deal with HIV infection is to practice prevention.

Genital Herpes

This is a highly contagious viral infection that is caused due to a type of virus called the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The infection is usually spread by having vaginal, oral or anal sex with someone who already has the disease. Like other STDs the signs and symptoms of genital herpes go unnoticed or are very mild in the beginning. This infection can happen to both men and women in the genital areas. When the signs and symptoms of the infection present itself it can be painful and too irritable. Know more about the symptoms and causes of the same.

Symptoms of genital herpes

Small bumps or blisters or open sores appear to be in the genital, anal and nearby areas

There can be pain or itching around the genital area, buttocks and inner thighs too.

After sometime the ulcers can rupture and bleed.

In women, sores can rupture in the vaginal area, external genitals, buttocks, anus or cervix.

In men, sores can appear on the penis, scrotum, buttocks, anus or thighs, or inside the urethra, the tube from the bladder through the penis.

The sores can even happen in the mouth and skin too.

These ulcers can make it painful to urinate too.

Diagnosis and treatment

Often the symptoms present in the genital areas can help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis of the same. In case your doctor still needs confirmation, swabs from the sores or open ulcers can be sent to the lab to check for the infection. Genital herpes has no cure. Though medications are used to suppress the symptoms it doesn't provide complete cure. Sometimes a person can end up having recurrent infection too.

Genital Warts

This is again a very common and contagious form of sexually transmitted disease that is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Usually the warts may have no symptoms in the beginning. They infect the genital areas of both the men and the women alike.

Symptoms of genital warts

In women, genital warts can grow on the vulva, the walls of the vagina, the area between the external genitals and the anus, and the cervix.

In men, they may occur on the tip or shaft of the penis, the scrotum, or the anus.

Genital warts can also develop in the mouth or throat of a person who has had oral sex with an infected person.

The warts appear as small, flesh-colored or gray swellings in your genital area

Itching or discomfort in your genital area

Bleeding with intercourse

Diagnosis and treatment

At times the warts just go away on their own if the body is capable of fighting the virus else one might need medical help for the same. There are various treatment options available to remove and treat the warts. Remember even if the warts go away they can still return in the future because the treatment can take care of the warts but not the virus. So it is necessary to talk to your healthcare provider while choosing a treatment option to keep the infection at bay for long.

Syphilis

This is also a potent form of STD, which not only affects the genitals, but the skin, the mucous membranes and also other parts of the body, like the brain or the heart. It is spread through vaginal, anal or oral sex. Syphilis symptoms can occur in four stages.

Congenital syphilis happens when a pregnant woman passes the infection to her baby while birthing. Hence it is imperative that a woman gets treated for the same before planning a pregnancy.

Symptoms of syphilis:

The primary phase: The primary symptoms of the condition are presence of small, painless sore (chancre) on the part of the body where the infection was transmitted, usually the genitals, rectum, tongue or lips along with enlargement of lymph nodes. Though these symptoms disappear with no proper treatment but the underlying disease is still there.

The secondary phase: The secondary symptoms present itself after 10 days of the sores have appeared and are marked by red or reddish-brown, penny-sized sores over any area of your body, including the palms and soles; fever, fatigue and a vague feeling of discomfort accompanied with soreness and aching. These signs also disappear within a few weeks and remain absent for as long as a year.

The latent phase: The latent phase of the condition is the phase following the secondary phase which is silent and the person suffers from no symptoms of the disease as if nothing had really happened.

The tertiary phase: One can reach this phase if the previous symptoms were ignored and treatment was delayed. The tertiary symptoms usually mark neurological problems like stroke and infection and inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and the spinal cord (meningitis). It can also give rise to poor muscle coordination, numbness, paralysis, deafness or visual problems, dementia etc. Cardiovascular problems due to the disease can give rise to bulging and inflammation of the aorta and of other blood vessels. Syphilis may also cause valvular heart disease, such as aortic valve problems.

Diagnosis and treatment

Syphilis can be cured with antibiotics effectively. But if the condition has passed to the tertiary stages surgical intervention can be necessary to treat the complications of the condition. Though the treatment cannot undo the physical damage the virus has done. There is also a possibility that one can get the bout of infection back in the future.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis refers to a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver and can lead to complications that could be serious. There are chances of getting infected with hepatitis A, B and C during a sexual intercourse, as the virus can be transmitted from an infected person to another through blood or other body fluids. Though, a hepatitis infection can be transmitted by other means also like using unsterilized injections, blood transfusion, bad hygiene habits etc.

Symptoms of hepatitis:

The symptoms with hepatitis A, B or C appear to be similar but are more potent and life threatening with the last two. In case of Hepatitis B the symptoms appear to be chronic and can lead to permanent damage of the liver if treatment is delayed or ignored. With hepatitis C delayed treatment or diagnosis can lead to chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis or even liver cancer. The symptoms that one can suffer from due to a hepatitis infection are:

Shortness of breath

Flu-like symptoms

Nausea,

Vomiting,

Diarrhea,

Weight loss,

Jaundice marked with yellowish colour in the white areas of the eyes with pale colour urine and faeces.

Diagnosis and treatment

There is no specific treatment for Hepatitis A virus, though there are vaccinations available to provide protection from the same. Most people fight off the virus naturally or with the help of antiviral drugs prescribed, returning to full health within a couple of months. The doctor would advise avoiding alcohol and fatty foods as these can be hard for the liver to process and may exacerbate the inflammation.

In case of a mild hepatitis B infection little medical help in form of corrective lifestyle changes, hygiene and medications would be needed to fight the infection. Antiviral medications are prescribed to those with chronic symptoms to help prevent further liver damage. These medications may be injected or given in pill form. Vaccinations for hepatitis B are given in the form of injection over a period of three or six months to provide protection from the same.

There are no vaccinations to prevent hepatitis C infection, though drugs like antiviral medications are used to treat the symptoms of the condition. Even with developments in the field of science and medicine the success rate of such treatment is very low. Prevention is the best resort in such a case. Know more about the potent hepatitis C disease.

Prevention

Though not all STDs are potent, they do alter a person's life in one way or the other if infected. It is important to prevent the occurrence of a STD. Here is what you can do to prevent the same:

Practice safe sex. Use condoms every time you have intercourse and dental dams during oral sex.

Avoid having sex with multiple partners. This can increase your chance of getting infected with an STD if one of your partners has one.

If you are diagnosed with a STD refrain from sexual activity while you are treated. Some of the STDs have no cure and it is better to refrain from sex if you are infected with one. Else talk to your partner and a sex therapist to explore your options.

Never neglect treatment. Remember if you have been infected with a type of STD your chances to get another type of STD infection is very high. So get treated soon and follow proper instructions.

Maintain proper hygiene and sanitation. This is more needed to restrict the spread of the disease from the genital areas to other parts of the body in an infected person that transmitting it to the partner.

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