Sexicially Transmitted Diseases

Gonorrhea is a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease that is caused by the bacterium Neiseria gonorrhoeae. The mucous membranes of the genital region may become inflamed without the development of any other symptoms. When symptoms occur, they are different in men and women. In men, gonorrhea usually begins as an infection of thevessel that carries urine and sperm (urethra). In women, it will most likely infect the narrow part of the uterus (cervix). Ifuntreated, gonorrhea can result in serious medical complications. It is a very common infection, especially among young people ages 15-24 years.

Gonorrhea spread by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has gonorrhea. A pregnant woman with gonorrhea can give the infection to her baby during childbirth.

Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection that affects men and women. Features of genital herpes include pain, itching and sores in your genital area. But you may have no signs or symptoms of genital herpes. If infected, you can be contagious even if you have no visible sores.

While anyone can be infected by herpes virus, not everyone will show symptoms. Risk factors for genital herpes include: early age at first sexual activity, multiple sexul partners, and a medical history of other sexually-transmitted diseases.

Most patients with genital herpes experience a prodromal (symptoms of oncoming disease) of pain, burning, itching or tingling at the site where blisters will form. This prodromal stage may last anywhere from a few hours, to one to two days. The herpes infection prodrome can occur for both the primary infection and recurrent infections. The prodrome forrecurrent infections may be severe and cause a severe burning or stabbing pain in the genital area, legs, or buttocks.

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is an infectious disease caused by the human immuno deficiency virus (HIV).There are two variants of the HIV virus, HIV-1 and HIV- 2, both of which ultimately cause AIDS.

HIV is a virus spread through certain body fluids that attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells, often called T cells. Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can’t fight off infections and disease. These special cells help the immune system fight off infections. Untreated, HIV reduces the number of CD4 cells (T cells) in the body. This damage to the immune system makes it harder and harder for the body to fight off infections and some other diseases. Opportunistic infections or cancers take advantage of a very weak immune system and signal that the person has AIDS

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a DNA virus from the papillomavirusfamily that is capable of infecting humans. Like all papillomaviruses, HPVs establish productive infections only in keratinocytes of the skin or mucous membranes.

Genital warts (technically known as condylomata acuminatum) are most commonly associated with two human papillomavirus types, HPV-6 and HPV-11. The warts may appear within several weeks after sexual contact with a person who is infected with human papillomavirus, or they may take months or years to appear, or they may never appear. HPVs may also cause flat, abnormal growths in the genital area and on the cervix (the lower part of the uterus that extends into the vagina). However, human papillomavirus genital infections usually cause no symptoms.

syphilis is an infectious systemic disease that may be either congenital or acquired  through sexual contact orcontaminated needles.

Syphilis has been called ‘the great imitator’ because it has so many possible symptoms, many of which look like symptoms from other diseases. The painless syphilis sore that you would get after you are first infected can be confused for an ingrown hair, zipper cut, or other seemingly harmless bump. The non-itchy body rash that develops during the second stage of syphilis can show up on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet, all over your body, or in just a few places. Syphilis can also affect the eye and can lead to permanent blindness. This is called ocular syphilis.

Bacterial vaginosis is a type of vaginal inflammation caused by the overgrowth of bacteria naturally found in the vagina, which upsets the natural balance.

A vaginal condition characterized by an abnormal vaginal discharge due to an overgrowth of normal bacteria in the vagina. Women with bacterial vaginosis also have fewer than the usual population of vaginal bacteria, called lactobacilli. Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis are vaginal discharge and sometimes a fishy odor. A microscopic sign of bacterial vaginosis is an unusual vaginal cell called a clue cell. Bacterial vaginosis can cause premature labor and delivery, as well as infection of the amniotic fluid and of the uterus after delivery. .

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a small organism called Trichomonas vaginalis. Women are most often affected by this disease, although men can become infected and pass the infection to their partners through sexual contact. Many women do have signs or symptoms of infection. Symptoms in women can include: Greenish-yellow, frothy  vaginal discharge with a strong odor, Painful urination, Vaginal itching and irritation, Discomfort during intercourse.

Men often do not have symptoms of trichomoniasis and usually do not know they are infected until their partners need treatment. But when symptoms do occur, they include: Irritation inside the penis, Mild discharge, Slight burning after urination or ejaculation

Viral hepatitis is a serious liver disease that can be caused by several different viruses, which can be transmitted through sexual contact.

A viral inflammatory disease of the liver caused by one of the hepatitis viruses: A, B, C, delta, E, F, G,  or H. All havechronic forms except hepatitis A. The disease is transmitted sexually and through blood  transfusions and is commonamong people with behavior risks or human immunodeficiency virus infe ction. Speed of onset and probabe course of theillness vary with the kind and strain of virus, but the c haracteristics of the disease and its treatment are the same. Seealso hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D

Prevention

Having vaginal or anal sex without a condom (unprotected sex) can put you at risk of getting an STD.  You can also get some STDs from unprotected oral sex. 

Protect yourself by using condom and avoid relationship with multiple sexul partners.

Some activities put you at greater risk than others. Riskier activities include unprotected sexual transmitted diseases such as follows: