What are STDs?
STDs are sexually transmitted diseases, which include infections with bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Some are fatal, others are distressing, all are contagious and mainly transmitted by mixing body fluids.
What you can do to protect yourself from STDs
Practice Safer sex
Symptoms and complications of some common STDs
Bacterial vaginosis (BV): BV occurs when normal bacteria in the vagina get out of balance. Symptoms include:
- Vaginal discharge with a fishy odor
- Vaginal itching
If left untreated, BV can increase the chance of getting other STDs such as HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and pelvic inflammatory disease.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chlamydia: Chlamydia is a bacterial infection. Symptoms include:
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Burning when urinating
- Bleeding between menstrual cycles
If left untreated, Chlamydia may lead to lower abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, fever & pain during sex.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. May be asymptomatic in specific cases, but symptoms generally include:
- Mild fever
- Headache & muscle ache
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dark colored urine and pale bowel movements
- Stomach pain
- Skin and white of the eyes become yellow
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Herpes: Herpes is a virus that produces sores (lesions) on the skin, lips and genital areas. Oral Herpes (HSV1) and genital Herpes (HSV2) are transmitted through intimate contact with a person suffering from a lesion, or touching infected skin even when an outbreak is not visible. Symptoms are:
- Cold sores around the mouth, on the thighs, buttocks or genital areas
Herpes may play a role in the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Herpes makes people more susceptible to HIV infection, and it can make HIV-infected individuals more infectious.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
HIV/AIDS: The HIV virus slowly attacks white blood cells which constitute a major part of the body's immune system. People may show no symptoms for 10 years or more. Symptoms include:
- Extreme fatigue
- Rapid weight loss
- Recurring fever or profuse night sweats
- Frequent yeast infections in the mouth
- Vaginal yeast infections and other STDs
- Menstrual cycle changes
- Red, brown, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids
- Memory loss, depression, and other neurological disorders
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Human papillomavirus (HPV): HPV can cause genital warts and abnormal changes on the cervix that can lead to cancer, if it is not treated. Most people with HPV or genital warts don’t know they are infected until they have had a Pap test because they may not show symptoms, though the virus may still be transmitted.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gonorrhea: Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection. Symptoms are rare and can sometimes be mistaken for a bladder or other vaginal infection. They include:
- Pain or burning during urination
- Yellowish and sometimes bloody vaginal discharge
- Bleeding between menstrual periods
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pubic lice: Pubic lice are not dangerous but can be very annoying and itchy. These wingless parasitic insects can be transmitted easily by any close contact with an infected person or their clothes or bed linens.
- Itching
- Finding lice
- Finding eggs
Pubic lice are easily treated. There are many products such as shampoo, lotions and cremes for pubic lice treatment available at any drug store.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trichomoniasis: It is caused by a parasite. Symptoms include:
- Yellow, green, or gray vaginal discharge (often foamy) with a strong odor
- Discomfort during sex and when urinating
- Irritation and itching of the genital area
- Lower abdominal pain in rare cases
Trichomoniasis is treated with antibiotics.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeast infections: Yeast infection, also known as candidiasis, is caused by a yeast overgrowth which disrupts normal vaginal flora. Symptoms may include:
- Burning/itching of the vulva
- Thick white discharge with cottage cheese appearance
- Yeasty odor
It is treated by Antifungal creams, suppositories or tablets.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Immediately consult a physician or any health care provider when suffering from any typical symptom.
|
