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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.
Chlamydia
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
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)
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
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.
- Primary:
Painless sores called chancre appear first (genital areas,
mouth, throat, anus).
- Secondary:
A rash with brown sores develops with fever and aches (similar
to the flu).
- Latent:
Symptoms go away for a while (it can be up to several years),
but the disease is still in the body.
- Tertiary:
If the disease is not treated, it will cause severe damage
to the eyes, nervous system, brain, heart, spinal cord,
bones, joints, and almost every body part.
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.
Trichomoniasis
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.
Genital
Herpes
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.
Genital
Warts
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
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.
Hepatitis
A
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.
Hepatitis B
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
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 (Crabs)
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.
HIV
and AIDS
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.
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