Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
Types Of STDs: Everything You Need To Know
An STD (sexually transmitted disease) is a condition that develops due to a virus, bacteria, or parasite that spreads through sexual contact. STDs may be referred to as STIs (sexually transmitted infections). An STI causes the condition, and an STD develops as a result of that infection. Many sources use these terms interchangeably.
Many different types of STDs present with various symptoms, such as rashes, itching, unusual discharge or bleeding, fever, and flu-like symptoms. Some STDs can lead to complications like infertility and cancer, especially if untreated.
Most STDs are curable, but some are chronic (long-lasting). About 20 million new cases of STIs occur each year, and this number appears to be increasing. Anyone sexually active can get an STD, but teenagers, young adults, and men who have sex with men are at the highest risk.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common STD in the United States, and it's a virus that can affect anyone. HPV often doesn't cause symptoms, but some types of HPV can cause genital warts. In some cases, the virus may remain dormant and reactivate later. Routine screening is essential for identifying and treating HPV as soon as possible. When untreated, HPV can lead to various types of cancers, including mouth, throat, cervical, vulvar, penile, and anal cancer. While there is no medication to treat HPV, a vaccine is available to prevent contracting the virus. HPV treatment includes removals of warts. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV affects the body's immune system, destroying the blood cells that help fight infection and leading to a severely weakened immune system. Although there is no cure for HIV, there are antiviral medications that can significantly lower your viral load and allow you to live a long and healthy life. Chlamydia is an STD caused by bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. Symptoms include unusual discharge, burning when peeing, stomach pain, and fever. Some people who contract chlamydia don't have any symptoms. Untreated chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, which can cause pelvic pain and damage the reproductive system. Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics. Gonorrhea is a condition caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This bacteria grows quickly in your reproductive tract and can cause unusual discharge and pain during urination. The infection can also spread to your mouth, throat, joints, rectum, and eyes. Gonorrhea is another STD that can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease. Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics. Public lice are tiny crab-looking parasites that attach to pubic hair and live off human blood. Symptoms include itching and the appearance of pubic lice and nits. Treatment involves washing all objects, towels, and linens you come into contact with and treating the lice with lice-killing lotions. Genital herpes is caused by a virus known as herpes simplex virus (HSV). Symptoms of genital herpes include cold sores on the mouth, genitals, or anus. It's also possible to have no symptoms. There is no cure for genital herpes, but medication can treat symptoms. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a condition affecting the female reproductive organs, such as the uterus, ovaries, cervix, and fallopian tubes. Various types of bacteria cause PID, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and the bacteria that normally live in the vagina. PID can cause pelvic pain, unusual discharge, and fever. It may also lead to serious complications like infertility, increased risk for ectopic pregnancy, and tubo-ovarian abscess—an infectious mass in the ovaries that may lead to sepsis. PID is managed by treating the underlying bacterial infection with antibiotics. Syphilis is an STD caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. The main symptom of syphilis is an ulcer on the penis or vagina called a chancre. Untreated syphilis can spread to other areas of the body, as well as to a fetus during pregnancy—leading to congenital disorders. Syphilis is treated with antibiotics. Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. Symptoms include a burning sensation while peeing, genital soreness, redness, itching, and unusual discharge. Untreated trichomoniasis can increase the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. Trichomoniasis can be treated with antibiotics. Mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen) is a bacteria that can cause infections in the cervix, uterus, rectum, or the urethra in the penis. Symptoms include unusual vaginal or penile discharge or burning while peeing, though some people experience no symptoms. Mgen can be treated with a course of antibiotics. Most cases of Zika spread through mosquitoes, but if you contract the virus that causes Zika, you can transmit it through sexual contact. Zika typically causes symptoms like fever, rash, and muscle aches. The virus can be passed to a developing fetus during pregnancy, which may result in congenital anomalies. There is no treatment for Zika currently, but you can help prevent contracting it by not traveling to places with Zika outbreaks and taking steps to prevent mosquito bites. Viral hepatitis is caused by three different hepatitis viruses: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. All hepatitis viruses can cause serious inflammation of the liver. Most hepatitis infections can be prevented with vaccines and treated with antiviral agents. Bacterial vaginosis is a condition that occurs when the bacteria present in the vagina and surrounding area reach abnormally high levels, resulting in unusual vaginal discharge that may have a fish-like odor. If left untreated, bacterial vaginosis can progress to pelvic inflammatory disease and may increase the risk of preterm labor. Bacterial vaginosis can be treated with antibiotics. Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is an infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis—a different strain of the bacteria that causes chlamydia. LGV affects the lymphatic system and can cause genital sores, genital swelling, pain during bowel movements, swollen lymph nodes in the groin area, and blood or pus in your stool. LGV can be treated with antibiotics. Chancroid is a rare STD caused by a bacteria named Haemophilus ducreyi. It causes ulcers in the genital area and swollen lymph nodes. Untreated chancroid increases the likelihood of HIV transmission. Chancroid is treated with antibiotics. The only way to completely prevent STDs is to not engage in sexual contact. There are several other ways to significantly lower your chances of contracting an STD. Here are some steps you can take to decrease your risk: Regularly get STD testing and ask any potential partners to get tested before engaging in sex Use a condom or dental dam each time you have sex Decrease the number of people you have sexual contact with If you test positive for an STD, make sure to get treatment right away. Getting treated for STDs often reduces the risk of spreading them to others. It also prevents complications, protecting your overall health and sexual health. There are many different types of STDs, or sexually transmitted diseases. Viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections cause STDs. Each STD presents with different symptoms and can affect the body in varying ways. It's important to identify and treat STDs promptly to reduce the risk of complications and transmission to others. Taking steps to practice safe sex can help prevent the transmission of STDs.Thanks for your feedback!
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
STDs are sexually transmitted diseases. This means they are most often, but not exclusively, spread by sexual contact.
STDs used to be called venereal diseases (VD). Doctors more often use the term sexually transmitted infections (STI). They're among the most common contagious diseases. According to the CDC, 25 million new cases are reported in the U.S. Each year.
STDs are serious illnesses that need treatment. By educating yourself about them, you can learn ways to protect yourself.
Dozens of infections can be spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Among the most common are:
STDs are caused by germs and other organisms that hide in body fluids such as semen, blood, vaginal secretions, and sometimes saliva. These include:
Most of the time, they're spread through sexual contact. But you can also get some STDs from skin contact, by sharing personal items such as toothbrushes or razors with someone who has one, or by contact with damp objects such as towels and wet clothing. Some viruses can also be spread through infected blood.
You're at a higher risk for an STI if you:
Your symptoms will depend on which infection you have. Sometimes, STDs don't cause symptoms at all until you develop complications. When they do, the most common signs are:
There are many other possible symptoms, including:
See your doctor to get tested if you have symptoms, or if you know you've been exposed. They will likely examine you for signs such as sores or a rash, and you may have lab tests of your:
Because STDs often don't show symptoms, routine testing is important for people who are sexually active. If you know you have one, you can get treated before serious problems develop. You can also take steps to avoid spreading it to others.
Most screening tests use a sample of your blood, saliva, or urine. The only FDA-approved way to test for HPV is by taking a sample of cells from your cervix.
Screening recommendations are different depending on your level of risk. But in general, it's a good idea to test before you start a new sexual relationship. If you're at high risk, you should get tested every year.
Some kinds of STDs can be cured. Others are lifelong conditions that you manage through medications. Your treatment depends on what kind of infection you have.
Antibiotics. These drugs treat STDs caused by bacteria, including chlamydia and gonorrhea. They also work against the parasite that causes trichomoniasis. Usually, antibiotics will cure these STDs, although it's possible to be reinfected.
Antivirals. For infections caused by a virus, including genital herpes and HIV, these drugs can lessen symptoms and prevent flare-ups. But the virus stays in your body.
Genital warts can be removed with a topical medication or a procedure such as freezing or surgery.
You can take several steps to lower your risk of getting an STD. Some involve choices you make about your sex life. For example:
Other ways to protect yourself include:
Vaccines. Vaccines can prevent infection from hepatitis B and many types of HPV. They're part of the routine immunization schedule recommended for children in the U.S. Adults who didn't get the HepB vaccine as children can get it in either a two- or three-dose series. The HPV vaccine isn't recommended if you're over age 26, but talk to your doctor if you're concerned about your risk.
Medication. PrEP, which stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a type of daily drug therapy that can prevent HIV infection. It's approved for people at very high risk who are negative for the virus.
You may also be able to prevent infection with chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis if you get a dose of an antibiotic within a day or so of being exposed.
Circumcision. For men or those assigned male at birth, being circumcised can lower your risk of getting HIV and can reduce the spread of HPV and genital herpes.
You may not realize you have certain STDs until you have damage to your reproductive system or other organs. Untreated STDs can cause:
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a complication of gonorrhea and chlamydia that can affect women and people assigned female at birth. The infection spreads through your reproductive system, causing inflammation, pain, and scarring.
Having an STD while you're pregnant can cause problems for you and your baby. They put you at risk for:
Risks to your baby include:
Both syphilis and HIV can pass through your placenta to a fetus while it's in your uterus. During delivery, your baby can be infected with gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV, hepatitis B, and genital herpes. Breastfeeding can also pass on HIV to your baby — as well as syphilis or herpes if you have a sore on your breast.
The CDC recommends you get tested for chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis, HIV, and syphilis at some point in your pregnancy, so you can get treatment and take precautions during delivery.
The decision to tell your sex partners that you've tested positive for an STD is an ethical one. Doing so allows them to get treatment and so they don't spread it to others or even reinfect you.
Your legal requirements are different. Most state laws related to STDs address HIV specifically. According to the CDC, 34 states make it a crime to expose someone else to HIV. In 13 states, you have to tell your sex partners if you know you're HIV-positive.
Sexually transmitted diseases are infections that are usually spread through sexual contact. Some, which are caused by bacteria, can be cured. Others that are caused by viruses remain in your body but can be managed with medications. It's important for people who are sexually active to get tested. STDs don't always cause symptoms, and they can cause serious complications if not treated.
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