Guide to Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

by Ann Andriani on June, 12th 2010

Did you know that 1 in 6 people in the U.S. have an STD? Did you know that there are over fifty known diseases that can be transmitted through sexual activity? Also, did you know that approximately 45 million people carry the genital herpes virus in America? These questions and many others just like them is the reason why this website would not be complete without giving a brief overview on Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). We do an awful lot of talking here about sex and different kinds of sexual play, but it’s time that we’ve given you the basic scoop on STD’s. Hey, the more you know the better able you are to make decisions about your sexual health. You will notice that some STDs have similar symptoms, so it would be to your benefit to never self diagnose. If you experience any of the symptoms listed throughout this article or even if you experience something that doesn’t seem right and you are sexually active, do not, I repeat, do not hesitate to see a doctor. The sooner you tackle some STD’s the better chance you have of getting rid of them. So let’s get started.

Please Note: The intention of this guide is to serve as a basic introduction to some common STI’s. Our medical and scientific community are always researching ways to cure, treat and prevent these illnesses. It is important that you visit the links within this article that go to reputable sites that will have the most up to date information available for you.

AIDS

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome is a disease that came out of Africa in the early 1980′s. The virus that attacks your immune system is called the HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This HIV attacks your immune system, making your body unable to fight off illnesses or any other dangerous bacteria. The HIV virus is transmitted when infected bodily fluids come into contact with open cuts, mucous membranes or sores. Unprotected oral, anal, vaginal sex and the sharing of blood (such as drug users sharing needles) is usually how it is transmitted. There are no immediate symptoms that would tell you that you have caught the HIV virus. The only way to really tell is to be tested, but you can’t be accurately tested for at least 6 months because the HIV antibodies can take that long to develop. The HIV virus can lay dormant in your body for up to 10 years. So, you should be tested yearly if you’ve had unprotected sex with someone you think is carrying the virus. Unfortunately, there is no real cure for AIDS. Researchers have come up with HIV remedies, called “protease inhibitors,” that may help a person live a little longer, but it does not cure the infected individual completely.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is one of the most widely spread STDs in America, approximately 4 million per year, in people ages 15 to 25. One of the more frightening things about this STD is that symptoms are not always experienced. Sometimes one doesn’t know that he/she has chlamydia until major complications arise. There are some symptoms, though, that if you experience them, you might want to be tested. Men may experience burning during urination, a discharge from the penis, tenderness and/or pain in the testicles or abdomen, fever and chills, a constant urge to urinate or difficultly urinating. As for women, they may experience burning during urination, a vaginal discharge that is different than what is normally experienced, pain during sex, a constant urge to urinate or difficultly urinating.
The good news is this infection is curable with antibiotics. Although, all sexual partners should be treated to avoid passing it back and forth. Usually a follow-up visit to your doctor within 3 or 4 weeks is required to make sure you’re cured. If left untreated or if treatment is not properly followed many complications can occur. Men can suffer from Epididymitis, which is an infection of the tubes that feed blood to the testicles. This is extremely painful and can ultimately result in sterility. Women can develop Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which can destroy the fallopian tubes. At this point, surgery may be needed and the woman may need to have a hysterectomy (removal of the ovaries and uterus). But even these complications: Epididymitis and PID can be cured with antibiotics as long as they’re caught early enough.

Crabs

These are tiny, crab shaped lice that take root in the pubic hair and live off human blood. These little buggers can be caught by sexual and even non sexual contact. It has also been known that a person giving oral sex can get crabs in their eyebrows and eyelashes. So it’s not just pubic hair that’s susseptible and condoms don’t protect you, since they live in the pubic hair. The most well known symptom is that your crotch itches a lot and it won’t go away, no matter how much you scratch. One can easily get rid of these microscopic pains in the butt. It can be treated a couple of ways. You can get over the counter shampoo and a fine toothed comb to remove them or simply shave off that pubic hair and apply the lice killing cream. Just make sure you see a doctor before you take matters into your own hands.

Genital Warts/HPV

One of the most contagious STD’s, Genital Warts are known as cauliflower shaped lesions on the genitals. They are the result of the transmission of the HPV virus through cracks in damaged skin. This virus in not curable. The only thing that can be done is to remove the warts, using liquid nitrogen, so that the virus doesn’t spread. It is estimated that 20 million Americans carry this virus. There are also many cases and strains of HPV that have no symptoms and many don’t even realize they have it. In recent years, there has been many new studies and preventive treatments for HPV, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website to learn all you can about these new developments.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea, also known as “The Clap,” is another extremely contagious STDs. It’s a bacterial infection that is more contagious to women and homosexual men. About 650,000 Americans are infected with Gonorrhea every year. Women may become infertile or experience an ectopic pregnancy (a fertilized egg develops in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus). Men may become sterile or develop septic arthritis (joints become filled with pus cells, very painful). As long as it’s caught right away, anitbiotics can cure one of this virus.

Herpes

By far, herpes is the most widely spread STD in America with an estimated 45 million people carrying it. Small blisters on the genitals is usally the main sign that you should get checked out. Herpes, oral and genital, is one of the most difficult viruses to control. This virus is not curable and can be contracted and/or transmitted from/by a partner who has no sores at the time of intercourse. Antiviral medications for genital herpes and anitviral creams for oral herpes can keep recurrences under control. If both partners avoid having sex during outbreaks and use condoms the rest of the time, will also help keep recurrences under control.

Scabies

Scabies consists of small, parasitic mites that burrow under the skin living off human blood, laying eggs and depositing feces, making it the absolute itchiest of all STDs. Usually an intolerable itching and formation of scabs on or around the genitals is a sign to see a doctor. If caught early enough, creams can kill these little buggers before they get out of control. If not treated properly, they can reproduce uncontrollably and at that point, the scabs they leave are too thick for creams to penetrate.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that shows its presents in the form of sores around the mouth and genitals. Syphilis can be easily treated with penicillin. If left untreated or improperly treated, it can lay
dormant in the lymph nodes for as long as 20 years. Recurrence can then be terminal, attacking the nervous system and the heart, resulting in insanity, blindness, numbness and death.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis, is caused by a microscopic organism, that almost looks like a jellyfish, and is transmitted through infected body fluids. Women who have contracted this STD will experience a very
large amount of a greenish, frothy discharge with a very pungent, fishy smell. Men usually experience extremely pain and burning during urination. This organism is known to be a bit stronger than just a virus or bacteria, but the good news is that it can be cured with hefty doses of antibiotics. For an relatively unknown STD, approximately 5 million Americans are infected per year.

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