Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Transfer of an STD takes place through any intimate or sexual contact between two people and can spread in the entire body in no time. This infection is not limited to any certain age or gender but it can happen to anyone who has had physical contact with a person suffering through any disease found in the STD list.
How STDs spread
It is generally assumed that STDs can only transfer from one person to another through sexual intercourse. This isn't true, because certain types of STD only needs skin to skin contact with the infected area to be transferred. If this common misinterpretation is corrected, many people can save themselves from getting infected by a disease found in the STD list. Herpes and Genital wards are the two types of sexually transmitted diseases are which can spread through just touch.
It is also commonly believed that oral or anal sex does not lead to the transfer of any disease from the STD list. This is incorrect because the viruses only need tiny cuts or tears in the mouth and anal to be transmitted from one person to another.
There are three important things which should be taken care of if you want to keep yourself safe from the diseases found in the STD list. Firstly, it isn't right to get involved in sexual activity at a younger age because this highly increases the chances of getting infected by any disease in the STD list at a smaller age.
Secondly, you should avoid having several sex partners; you never know which person you are going to have a sexual intercourse with might have any disease from the STD list which can then be transferred to your body. So to avoid this risk, it's good to keep your sexual partners to the minimum.
Thirdly and most importantly, it's essential that you make use of condoms preferably a latex condom to protect yourself from any transmission of sexual diseases. Any other birth control measures can only avoid pregnancy but not control the transmission of bacteria which carries STD viruses.
Besides this, you should also make sure that you visit your family planning clinic for a regular Pap smear or STD check up. It is better to find out about any such infection before it's too late.
Vaccines are also an important method to prevent sexually transmitted diseases to enter your body. Vaccines are available for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, herpes simplex vaccines etc. It is advisable to use these vaccines before any sexual intercourse. It reduces the chances of HIVs and other diseases from the STD list to infect your body.
If you are suffering from a disease from the STD list, following are some of the signs or symptoms you might face:
" Vaginal Discharge
" Urethral Discharge
" Ulcer in inguinal area
" Swelling of Scrotum
" Inguinal Gland Swelling
Some of the common sexually transmitted diseases include the following:
Chlamydia
Chlamydia Trachomatis is a bacteria that gets transferred from one person to another through sexual intercourse which leads to Chlamydia. This infection is a dangerous one which affects not only your urinary organs but also your reproductive ones.
This infection is easy to treat through antibiotics but once transmitted it shows no symptoms or signs of illness and hence many people do not realize the bacteria's existence in their body and therefore do not get it treated. Untreated Chlamydia can lead to major health problems such as infertility. Some mild symptoms of Chlamydia include vaginal irritation, vaginal discharge, lower abdominal pain and a burning feeling during passing of urine. Do not take these symptoms lightly and get them checked up immediately.
You must get a Chlamydia test on a yearly basis to detect existence of any virus at an early stage before it leads to infertility and creates problem during childbirth. It is specifically recommended for younger teens to get these tests done regularly.
HIV/Aids
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or AIDS as it is more commonly known is caused through the HIV virus. Opportunistic condition is the main symptom which shows if a person is suffering from AIDS and this can only become visible when the virus has reached a level where your immune system has become too weak. AIDS can also be diagnosed if a certain immune system cell, called CD4 cells drops below a certain level.
By far, no cure has been found for AIDS so the only way to prevent yourself from AIDS is to take precautionary measure and avoid having many sexual partners. AIDS last destination is death so one must be careful not to catch it.
Gonorrhea
Neisseria Gonorrhoeae is the virus which causes the infection known as Gonorrhea. Sexual intercourse is not the only way through which this virus can be transmitted. It can also easily be transferred through contact of mouth, vagina, penis and anus.
Normally this bacteria tends to take growth in any moist area of your body especially urethra which is the tube that carries urine out of one's body or it can also take growth in the reproductive organ. This might sound funny, but a persons eye is another place where this bacteria is likely to take growth in.
Once the infection enters your body, the symptoms take around 2-5 days to appear hence it is difficult to diagnose it and people normally do not take precautions for it immediately.
Syphilis
Syphilis can enter your body through broken skin hence it is not necessary to have a sexual intercourse to have this infection transmitted into your body but any intimate contact where the broken skin or mucous membrane come into contact with the infected area can lead to the transfer of this virus. Some of the symptoms of Syphilis include painless sores and swollen lymph nodes. As the infection goes on to its next level it starts showing other signs aswell such as fever, fatigue, loss of appetite etc.
Antibiotics, especially Penicillin can easily treat the virus if it is detected at an early stage.
And now the actual STD list:
" Chlamydia
" Syphilis
" HIV/Aids
" Gonorrhoea
" Genital Warts
" Pubic Lice or Crabs
" Vaginitis
" Hepatitis
" Human Papillomavris
" Trichomoniasis