What You Need to Know About the Most Common STDs



Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that you can get from having sex with someone who has them. They can affect your genitals, anus, mouth, and throat. Some STDs have no symptoms, while others can cause pain, discharge, sores, or other problems. STDs can also lead to serious complications, such as infertility, cancer, or death. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1 billion people have an STD⁵. The most common and curable STDs are trichomoniasis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. The most common viral STDs are human papillomavirus (HPV), genital herpes, hepatitis B and C, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In this blog post, you will learn about the causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment of these common STDs.

 

 Trichomoniasis

 

 Causes and Symptoms:

Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. It usually infects the vagina in women and the urethra in men. It can also infect the anus, mouth, or throat. The symptoms of trichomoniasis include:

 

- Women:

  - Itching, burning, or soreness in the genital area

  - Foul-smelling, yellow-green, or frothy vaginal discharge

  - Pain during urination or sex

  - Bleeding after sex

 

- Men:

  - Itching, burning, or irritation in the penis

  - Discharge from the penis

  - Pain during urination or ejaculation

 

 Prevention and Treatment:

Trichomoniasis can be prevented by using condoms during sex and avoiding sex with multiple partners. It can be treated with antibiotics, usually a single dose of metronidazole or tinidazole. Both partners should be treated at the same time to avoid reinfection.

 

 Chlamydia

 

 Causes and Symptoms:

Chlamydia is caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis. It can infect the cervix, urethra, rectum, or throat. It can also infect the eyes, causing conjunctivitis. The symptoms of chlamydia include:

 

- Women:

  - Abnormal vaginal discharge

  - Pain or burning during urination

  - Pain or bleeding during or after sex

  - Lower abdominal pain or fever

 

- Men:

  - Discharge from the penis

  - Pain or burning during urination

  - Pain or swelling in the testicles

 

However, many people with chlamydia have no symptoms. Chlamydia is the most commonly reported STD in the U.S.³.

 

 Prevention and Treatment:

Chlamydia can be prevented by using condoms during sex and getting tested regularly, especially if you have multiple partners. The CDC recommends that sexually active women under 25 years old and men who have sex with men get tested for chlamydia every year³. Chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics, usually azithromycin or doxycycline. Both partners should be treated at the same time to avoid reinfection. You should also get retested in one to three months after treatment to make sure the infection is gone³.

 

 Gonorrhea

 

 Causes and Symptoms:

Gonorrhea is caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It can infect the cervix, urethra, rectum, or throat. It can also infect the eyes, causing conjunctivitis. The symptoms of gonorrhea include:

 

- Women:

  - Abnormal vaginal discharge

  - Pain or burning during urination

  - Pain or bleeding during or after sex

  - Lower abdominal pain or fever

 

- Men:

  - Discharge from the penis

  - Pain or burning during urination

  - Pain or swelling in the testicles

 

However, many people with gonorrhea have no symptoms. Gonorrhea is often co-infected with chlamydia, and the symptoms are similar².

 

 Prevention and Treatment:

Gonorrhea can be prevented by using condoms during sex and getting tested regularly, especially if you have multiple partners. The CDC estimates that in 2018 there were approximately 1.6 million new gonococcal infections in the U.S.². Gonorrhea can be treated with antibiotics, usually a combination of ceftriaxone and azithromycin. However, gonorrhea has become resistant to many antibiotics over time, making it harder to treat and more dangerous². Therefore, it is important to get tested and treated promptly and correctly.

 

 Syphilis

 

 Causes and Symptoms:

Syphilis is caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum. It can infect any part of the body, but it usually enters through the genitals, anus, mouth, or skin. Syphilis has four stages, each with different symptoms:

 

- Primary stage: A painless sore (chancre) appears at the site of infection, usually within 3 weeks of exposure. The sore can last for 3 to 6 weeks and heal on its own. However, the infection is still present and can spread to other parts of the body.

- Secondary stage: A rash appears on the skin, usually on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. The rash can also affect other parts of the body, such as the mouth, genitals, or anus. Other symptoms may include fever, headache, sore throat, swollen glands, hair loss, or weight loss. The symptoms can last for 2 to 6 weeks and go away on their own. However, the infection is still present and can cause serious damage to the organs.

- Latent stage: There are no symptoms in this stage, which can last for years or even decades. The infection is still present and can reactivate at any time.

- Tertiary stage: This is the most serious and rare stage of syphilis. It can occur 10 to 30 years after the initial infection. It can affect the brain, heart, blood vessels, bones, joints, or other organs. It can cause paralysis, blindness, dementia, deafness, or death.

 

 Prevention and Treatment:

Syphilis can be prevented by using condoms during sex and getting tested regularly, especially if you have multiple partners. Syphilis can be treated with antibiotics, usually penicillin. The length and dosage of treatment depend on the stage and severity of the infection. However, treatment cannot reverse the damage already done by the infection.

 

 HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

 

 Causes and Symptoms:

HPV is a group of more than 200 viruses that can infect the skin or mucous membranes. More than 40 types of HPV can be spread sexually, through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Some types of HPV cause genital warts, which are small, flesh-colored, or gray bumps that appear on or around the genitals or anus. Other types of HPV cause cervical cancer, which is the most common cancer caused by HPV. HPV can also cause other cancers, such as anal, penile, oral, or throat cancer. HPV is the most common STD in the U.S.⁴.

 

 Prevention and Treatment:

HPV can be prevented by using condoms during sex and getting vaccinated against HPV. The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that cause most cases of genital warts and cervical cancer. The CDC recommends that young women and men ages 11 to 26 get vaccinated for HPV⁴. The HPV vaccine is also approved for women and men up to age 45³. A Pap smear can detect most cases of cervical cancer caused by HPV early on. There is no cure for HPV, but genital warts can be removed by a healthcare provider or with prescription medication. Cancers caused by HPV can be treated with surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.

 

 Genital Herpes

 

 Causes and Symptoms:

Genital herpes is caused by two types of viruses: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). HSV-1 usually causes cold sores around the mouth, but it can also infect the genitals. HSV-2 usually causes genital herpes, but it can also infect the mouth. Both types of herpes can be spread through oral, vaginal, or anal sex, or by skin-to-skin contact. The symptoms of genital herpes include:

 

- Blisters or sores on or around the genitals, anus, or mouth

- Pain, itching, or burning in the affected area

- Flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, or muscle aches

 

The first outbreak of genital herpes is usually the most severe and can last for 2 to 4 weeks. After that, the virus stays in the body and can cause recurrent outbreaks, which are usually less frequent and less severe over time.

 

 Prevention and Treatment:

Genital herpes can be prevented by using condoms during sex and avoiding sex when you or your partner have symptoms or feel an outbreak coming on. There is no cure for genital herpes, but antiviral medication can help reduce the frequency, duration, and severity of outbreaks. It can also lower the risk of spreading the infection to others.

 

 Hepatitis B and C

 

 Causes and Symptoms:

Hepatitis B and C are viruses that infect the liver. They can be spread through contact with blood or other body fluids of an infected person. This can happen through sharing needles, syringes, or other drug

 

Source:

(1) Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) - World Health Organization (WHO). https://www.who.int/health-topics/sexually-transmitted-infections.

(2) Most Common STDs for Women and Men - WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/most-common-stds-men-women.

(3) The Most Common Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) - Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-most-common-stds-sexually-transmitted-diseases-3133040.

(4) STD Facts - Human papillomavirus (HPV) - Centers for Disease Control .... https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm.

(5) Sexually transmitted diseases or infections. https://bing.com/search?q=most+common+std.

(6) CDC - STD Diseases & Related Conditions. https://www.cdc.gov/std/general/default.htm.


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