1.HIV
HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus spread through certain body fluids that attacks the body's immune system, specifically the CD4 cells, often called T cells. The immune system is weakened due to HIV if it is untreated for many years, thus cause AIDS (Acquired immune deficiency syndrome). In the early stage, there is a chance to mistaken the symptoms of HIV with those of flu.
Symptoms
Chills
Swollen lymph nodes
Sore throat
Headache
Nausea
Rashes
As years go these symptoms may not have been seen. There’s no known cure for HIV, but treatment options are available to manage it. Early and effective treatment can help people with HIV live as long as those without HIV. Proper treatment can also lower your chances of transmitting HIV to a sexual partner. With recent advancements in testing and treatment, it’s possible to live a long and healthy life with HIV.
2. Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is one of the oldest know STDs and it is caused by the Neisseria gonorrhea bacteria. It is also known as “clap”. Many people with gonorrhea usually develop no symptoms.
Symptoms
A white, yellow, beige, or green-colored discharge from the penis or vagina
Pain or discomfort during sex or urination
More frequent urination than usual
Itching around the genitals
Sore throat
If left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to some serious issues like:
Infections of the urethra, prostate gland, or testicles
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Infertility
It is possible for a mother to pass gonorrhea onto a newborn baby during childbirth. When that happens, gonorrhea can cause serious health problems in the baby. That’s why many doctors encourage pregnant women to get tested and treated for potential STDs. Gonorrhea can usually be treated with antibiotics.
3. Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a type of bacteria found in the cervix, urethra, or rectum. It is very much similar to gonorrhea in the way of spreading, its symptoms, and its consequences.
Symptoms
Pain or discomfort during sex or urination
Green or yellow discharge from the penis or vagina
Pain in the lower abdomen
If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to:
Infections of the urethra, prostate gland, or testicles
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Infertility
If a pregnant woman has untreated chlamydia, she can pass it to her baby during birth. The baby may develop:
Pneumonia
Eye infections
Blindness
Since it is a bacterial disease antibiotics such as Azithromycin or Doxycycline can cure chlamydia easily.
4. Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a type of bacteria known as Treponema pallidum. The first sign of syphilis is a small, painless sore. It can appear on the sexual organs, rectum, or inside the mouth. This sore is called a chancre. Syphilis is only spread through direct contact with syphilitic chancres.
Symptoms
Rash
Fatigue
Fever
Headaches
Joint pain
Weight loss
Hair loss
If left untreated, late-stage syphilis can lead to:
Loss of vision
Loss of hearing
Loss of memory
Mental illness
Infections of the brain or spinal cord
Heart disease
Death
Syphilis can be treated with antibiotics. Penicillin is a mostly used antibiotic for the treatment of syphilis. Syphilis infection in a newborn baby can be fatal. Even though it is painless, it is very infectious, so earlier treatment of syphilis causes less damage.
5. Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is caused by a tiny protozoan organism Trichomonas vaginalis that can be passed from one person to another through sexual contact. It is also called “Trich”.
Symptoms
Discharge from the vagina or penis
Burning or itching around the vagina or penis
Pain or discomfort during urination or sex
Frequent urination
If left untreated, trich can lead to:
Infections of the urethra
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Infertility
Trichomoniasis can be cured with antibiotics. Your doctor may recommend metronidazole (Flagyl) or tinidazole (Tindamax). Do not drink any alcohol for the first 24 hours after taking metronidazole or the first 72 hours after taking tinidazole. It can cause severe nausea and vomiting.
6. HPV
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a viral infection that’s passed between people through skin-to-skin contact. It can be passed through sexual contact and can affect your genitals, mouth, or throat. There are many different strains of the virus. Some are more dangerous than others.
Some strains of HPV infection can lead to cancer, including:
Oral cancer
Cervical cancer
Vulvar cancer
Penile cancer
Rectal cancer
There is no treatment for HPV. However, HPV infections clear up on their own. There is also a vaccine available to protect against some of the most dangerous strains, including HPV 16 and HPV 18.
7.Pubic Lice
Pubic lice (Phthirus pubis) are tiny insects that can be found in pubic hair. Like head lice and body lice, they feed on human blood. They usually spread through sexual contact and in rare cases, they can be found in eyelashes, armpit hair, and facial hair. Pubic lice are often smaller than the body and head lice. Pubic lice are more common among people who have sexually transmitted diseases.
Symptoms
Itching around the genitals or anus
Small pink or red bumps around the genitals or anus
Low-grade fever
Lack of energy
Irritability
Pubic lice can spread to other people through skin-to-skin contact or shared clothing, bedding, or towels. Scratched bites can also become infected. It’s best to treat pubic lice infestations immediately. To get rid of pubic lice, it is important to clean yourself, clothes, bedding, towels, and home. You can also use over-the-counter topical lotions and shampoo to remove them from your body.
8. Genital herpes
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease that causes herpetic sores, which are painful blisters that can break open and ooze fluid. Herpes is the shortened name for the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two main strains of the virus, HSV-1 and HSV-2, where can be transmitted sexually.
Symptoms
Blisters may appear in your mouth and on your lips, face, and anywhere else that came into contact with the infected areas.
The infected site often starts to itch, or tingle, before the actual appearance of blisters.
The blisters may become ulcerated (open sores) and ooze fluid.
A crust may appear over the sores within a week of the outbreak.
Lymph glands may become swollen. Lymph glands fight infection and inflammation in the body.
May have headaches, body aches, and fever.
General symptoms for a baby born with herpes (received through a vaginal delivery) may include ulcers on the face, body, and genitals. Babies who are born with genital herpes can develop very severe complications such as:
Blindness
Brain damage
Death
There is no known cure for herpes. But medications are available to help control outbreaks and reduce the pain of herpes sores. The same medications can also lower your chances of passing herpes to your sexual partner.
Other, less common STDs include:
Chancroid
Lymphogranuloma venereum
Granuloma inguinale
Molluscum contagiosum
Scabies
Prepared By
K N Sana
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