What Are Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)?
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are diseases that are on a general basis acquired via sexual contact during vaginal, oral and anal sex. This is made possible by the organisms causing these diseases being transmitted from one person to the other through semen, blood or even vaginal or other types of body fluids. It is important to note that some of these diseases can be transmitted through non-sexual means for example through blood transfusion, sharing needles and from a mother to her infant.
It is indeed possible to acquire Sexually Transmitted Diseases from healthy looking individuals and also those who have no idea that they have these infections. This is because STDs are not always associated with symptoms as some of them may even take years to manifest their presence in a person’s body.
Symptoms
STDs have a broad spectrum of symptoms and signs associated with them. However, it is important to know that some of them come with no symptoms thus making them go unnoticed until a sexual partner is diagnosed or their complications start.
Below are some of the symptoms that could indicate infection with an STD:
- Bumps or sores on genitals or in rectal and oral areas.
- Burning or painful sensation during urination.
- Discharges coming from a man’s penis
- Odd-smelling or unusual vaginal discharge
- Vaginal bleeding that’s unusual
- Unusual pain being felt during sex
- Pains felt in the lower abdomen
- Fever
- Rashes on the feet, hands and the body’s trunk.
These are among the many symptoms that one should look out for in the event that they are suspecting a possible STD infection.
Causes of Sexually Transmitted Diseases
There are several causes of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. The most common causes are:
Bacteria: Different types of bacteria are responsible for causing STDs such as Syphilis, Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, among many others.
Viruses: There is a wide array of viruses that can be transmitted via sexual contact, thus causing STDs. The commonest of such diseases that are caused by viruses include; Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Genital Herpes, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Hepatitis B, among many others.
Parasites: Parasites can also be passed from one person to another via sexual means and cause disease in their hosts. Some of the common diseases that are as a result of parasitic infections include Trichomoniasis and Scabies.
Common Sexually Transmitted Diseases
HIV
HIV refers to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This is a virus that can be transmitted sexually and it attacks specific cells used in the body’s immunity to fend off infections and diseases. The virus resembles quite a number of common illnesses but the difference comes in with the body not being able to destroy HIV the moment it has infected immune cells known as T- Cells or CD4+ cells. HIV has the ability to replicate rapidly with time thus killing its host’s cells, and when not given proper management, it can end up leading to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
It is indeed possible to acquire HIV and live with it for a number of years without development or manifestation of the disease’s signs and symptoms. The only method of finding out if you are HIV positive is getting tested. In the present times, there is no cure for the disease, but there are antiretroviral drugs that assist HIV positive people to have healthier lives.
Syphilis
This is a bacterial infection that’s highly contagious and is caused by a bacteria known as Treponema Pallidum. It is contracted easily via vaginal, oral and anal sex. It can be cured with much ease during its early stages and a person can return to a normal livelihood in no time. However, if it is left untreated, it can lead to serious and irreversible complications to the infected individual.
Some of its typical signs and symptoms include chancres or sores on the penis, vagina, mouth and anus. Chancres of the primary stage of syphilis appear mostly on genitals and can spread to lips, mouth, tongue, breasts, tonsils and fingers.
Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is one of the most common STDs and its causative agent is a bacteria by the name Neisseria Gonorrhoeae. Its mode of transmission is via anal, oral and vaginal sex. It normally infects the reproductive system’s mucous membranes such as fallopian tubes, cervix, uterus and urethra (both in men and women). The mucous membranes found at the contact site are also infected such as the throat, anus and eyes.
Some of its symptoms include unusual discharge from the vagina and penis, pain on urination, fever, stomach pains and vomiting.
Conclusion
STDs are among the categories of diseases that need a lot of attention by people due to their consequences on a person’s health and even quality of life. Most people prefer ignoring the probability of their existence in a bid not to face their fears of having contracted them, but as has been alluded to above, they are better managed when discovered in their early stages. STDs do not spell the end of life as most are curable and those that are not can be managed. We hope that this article above has been of much insight to you