Sexually Transmitted Diseases, STDs are diseases that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact.

The commonly known and widespread STDs are chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human papilloma virus (HPV), and syphilis.

Many of these infections, although very harmful, do not show their symptoms for long.

What Are the Ways I Can Get an STD?

As is widely known, almost all STDs can be transmitted through sexual contact, be it anal, vaginal, or oral sex. However, some STDs can also be transmitted through close skin-to-skin contact without the need for actual sexual intercourse.

Examples of STDs that can be spread through skin-to-skin touching are HIV, Molluscum contagiosum, a viral skin disease, and scabies, an itchy skin condition caused by a mite infestation.

Experts like Edward Hook III, an infectious disease specialist, claim that scabies can also be contracted from an infected sleeping bag or bed.

STDs have also been shown not to only affect the genital regions but also to be transmitted through oral-genital sex, as seen in Oral herpes.

What signs may indicate you have contracted STDs?

Various STDs show peculiar symptoms, and some may not show symptoms at all. Below are various STDs and their characteristics and symptoms.

Oral Herpes has characteristics that can include itching of the mouth and lips, sores and blisters on the lips or inside the mouth, and flu-like symptoms such as high fever, headache, and body aches.

Early symptoms of HIV can be similar to those of the flu. These symptoms are fever, headache, muscle aches, and sore throat. Sometimes, an HIV infection can be indicated by swollen lymph nodes, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, a fungal infection of the mouth, and a rash on the abdomen, arms, legs, or face.

If the HIV infection goes untreated for a long time, it may result in a disease characterized by fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, joint pain, short-term memory loss, and recurrent infections.

Chlamydia is normally characterized by vaginal discharge in women, penile discharge in men, and burning sensations during urination in both men and women.

Other symptoms?

Gonorrhea symptoms include thick, cloudy, or bloody discharge from the vagina, urethra, and pain or burning when peeing. Gonorrhea could also occur in the anus, and this may result in itching in and around the anus, discharge from the anus, and pain while defecating.

Trichomoniasis is a parasitic sexually transmitted infection that normally causes burning and itching sensations around the genitals of affected men and women. It could also cause pain during sexual intercourse. You may sometimes see a smelly discharge or experience painful or frequent peeing.

Hepatitis B mostly occurs in its acute form and this can be coupled with fatigue, fever fever, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements, joint pain, and jaundice.

Scabies is an STD that causes skin infestation. Symptoms like itching may be experienced, and this usually gets worse in the evening. That is typically worse at night. Small red bumps or a rash and raised lines on the skin where the mites have burrowed can also be seen.

Syphilis, in its primary stage, causes a painless sore, or ulcer, at the location where the infectious bacteria entered the body, often in the genital area. In the secondary stage of syphilis, a rash may occur on the torso and elsewhere in the human body.

Essential facts to know about STDs?

The following about sexually transmitted diseases is worthy of note so that you do not panic but become vigilant. These essential facts are,

• More than 1 million sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are acquired every day worldwide, with the majority of the infected people not showing symptoms of the diseases
• Each year, there are an estimated 374 million new infections with one of the four curable STIs: chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, or trichomoniasis.
• More than 500 million people aged 15–49 are estimated to have a genital infection with the herpes simplex virus (HSV, or herpes).
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is associated with over 311,000 cervical cancer deaths each year.
• Almost 1 million pregnant women were estimated to be infected with syphilis in 2016, resulting in over 350,000 adverse birth outcomes (3).
• STIs have a direct impact on sexual and reproductive health through stigmatization, infertility, cancer, and pregnancy complications.

Prevention of STDs

STDs, including HIV, can be efficiently prevented when condoms are used correctly and consistently during sexual intercourse. However, condoms do not offer protection for STDs that cause extra-genital ulcers like syphilis or genital herpes. You must therefore, if possible, use condoms when engaging in vaginal and anal sex.

STDs like Hepatitis B and Human Papilloma Virus can be prevented by using vaccines. These vaccines can additionally prevent cervical cancer and precancerous lesions if HPV is prevented.

Where can you get tested for STDs?

STD tests can easily be carried out by your family doctor or OB-GYN. In some areas, other options include specialized STD or sexual health clinics.

You can also find locations in your immediate area that offer fast, free, and confidential testing.