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Victoria Gaudioso
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What are the Different Types of Sexually Transmitted Diseases? How do you Treat and Prevent Them?

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are becoming strikingly common. The CDC estimates approximately 20 million new STD infections every year. The continuous rise of STDs can be caused by lack of availability of condoms, lack of sexual education, and cultural norms.


**WARNING: CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES**

Sexually Transmitted Diseases, or STDs, are infections that can be spread by vaginal, anal, and oral sex. They can also be spread to infants during births, blood transfusions, or shared needles. STDs are caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is not uncommon for people with STDs to have little to no symptoms. This leads to many STDs going undiagnosed. STDs that are untreated can lead to serious health problems, including cancer. This proves the importance of STD testing. In a report published by the CDC in April of 2023, cases of Chlamydia have slightly decreased from 2017, however, cases of Gonorrhea and Syphilis have increased significantly. The most common STD in the United States currently is HPV or the Human Papillomavirus.

STD testing is usually quick, painless, and relatively inexpensive. Planned Parenthood explains that most people have at least one STD in their lives and that you shouldn't be embarrassed to ask for a test. Being comfortable with your healthcare provider is extremely important. The different types of tests include...

  • Urine test
  • Oral, blister, or genital swab
  • Blood test
  • Physical Exam

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/get-tested

https://health-tips-tick.blogspot.com/2015/12/signs-and-symptoms-of-stds-lovemaking.html

All STDs can have different symptoms. Planned Parenthood explains the common symptoms of STDs are as follows.

  • Sores on or around the genitals and surrounding areas.
  • Abnormal discharge from the vagina or penis.
  • Burning while urinating and increased frequency of urination
  • Itching, pain, irritation, or swelling of the penis, vagina, or anus
  • Flu-like symptoms including fever, body aches, fatigue, and swollen glands.

Any of these symptoms should be reported to your healthcare provider in order to ensure the presence of an STD and begin treatment to prevent future complications.

STDs

Chlamydia trachomatis is a common STD caused by bacteria during unprotected sex. It most commonly affects women, but can also affect men. Chlamydia can cause permanent damage to a woman's reproductive system. If a woman has Chlamydia and is pregnant, she can pass the disease to her baby during birth. Chlamydia in infants usually presents as pneumonia or a serious eye infection.

https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia.htm

Symptoms of Chlamydia are often silent and mild. Symptoms may include...

  • Painful urination
  • Vaginal discharge
  • Penile discharge
  • Painful Sexual intercourse for women
  • Vaginal bleeding between periods and after sex
  • Testicular pain

https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia.htm

Did you know?

You can get Chlamydia in your eyes, throat, and rectum!

  • Eye infections cause the inside of the eye to become red and irritated.
  • Throat infections are often asymptomatic, but may cause a sore throat.
  • Rectal infections are rare and may be asymptomatic. In some cases, there may be rectal pain, bleeding, or discharge.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chlamydia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355349

Risk factors for Chlamydia include...

  • Unprotected sex
  • Multiple sex partners
  • Failure to attend routine doctors appointments

Complications of Chlamydia include...

  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease - infection of the uterus and fallopian tubes that causes pelvic pain and fever
  • Infection of the Testicles - fever, scrotal pain, and swelling
  • Prostate Gland Infection - rare
  • Ectopic Pregnancy - unsustainable and life threatening to the mother
  • Infertility
  • Reactive Arthritis - affects joints, eyes, and urethra

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chlamydia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355349

Preventing Chlamydia

  • Use condoms
  • Limit the number of sex partners you have
  • Get regular screenings
  • Avoid douching - Douching decreases the amount of good bacteria in the vagina and leaves it more vulnerable to infection.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chlamydia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355349


Chlamydia can be cured by taking prescribed antibiotics. People undergoing treatment for Chlamydia should abstain from sexual activity for 7 days after the start of antibiotics. This is important to prevent the spread of Chlamydia to sexual partners. Medication will not repair any damage done to the body from Chlamydia, but will stop the infection. Repeat infection is common!! It is important to make sure that both you and your partner are successfully treated before resuming sexual activity! A retest should be done 3 months after the initial treatment.

https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/treatment.htm

Did you know?

Chlamydia runs rampant in Koala communities. Studies show some wild populations have a 100% rate of infection. Over the past 20 years, Koala populations have declined over 80% due to the Chlamydia epidemic.

https://www.livescience.com/62517-how-koalas-get-chlamydia.html

Gonorrhea is an STD caused by bacteria. It can cause an infection in the genitals, urethra, rectum, eyes, and throat. Gonorrhea is common and usually infects people ages 15-24 years old. Gonorrhea is spread through unprotected vaginal, anals, or oral sex. Gonorrhea can be spread to a fetus during a vaginal birth. Gonorrhea in infants usually presents as a severe eye infection.

https://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/stdfact-gonorrhea.htm

Symptoms of Gonorrhea are usually silent and can be mistaken for other diseases. Common genital symptoms include...

  • Burning during urination
  • Increased white, yellow, or green, pus-like discharge
  • Bleeding between periods
  • Painful or swollen testicles
  • Anal itching, soreness, bleeding
  • Painful bowel movements
  • Abdominal or pelvic pain

Symptoms in other sites of the body...

  • Eye pain
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Pus-like discharge from the eyes
  • Sore throat
  • Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
  • Warm, red, swollen, and extremely painful joints

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gonorrhea/symptoms-causes/syc-20351774

Complications of untreated Gonorrhea include...

  • Infertility - infection can spread to the uterus, fallopian tubes, and testicles.
  • Septic Arthritis - Infection that spreads throught the bloodstream to the joints
  • Increased risk of HIV/AIDs
  • Complications in babies - blindness, sores on scalp, and infections
  • Chronic pelvic/abdominal pain

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gonorrhea/symptoms-causes/syc-20351774

Prevention of Gonorrhea includes...

  • Condom use
  • Limiting the number of sex partners
  • Routine STD testing
  • Communication with sex partners

Gonorrhea can be cured with antibiotics! Usually the treatment of Gonorrhea includes one shot of the antibiotic ceftriaxone. However, antimicrobial resistance is becoming a concern in the treatment of Gonorrhea. This means that Gonorrhea is becoming resistant to antibiotic treatment. Due to this, the CDC has declared Gonorrhea  to be one of the top urgent medical threats. Like Chlamydia, this antibiotic will stop the spread of infection, but will not repair any permanent damage. Also like Chlamydia, re-infection of Gonorrhea is common! The CDC recommends a retest of Gonorrhea 3 months after the initial treatment.

https://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/treatment.htm

Did you know?

Gonorrhea is the 2nd most common STD reported to the U.S. government behind chlamydia with an estimated 80 million infections per year!

https://healthguidenet.com/conditions/gonorrhea-facts-symptoms-men-women/

Herpes Simplex is an STD caused by two different viruses, Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). HSV-1 is related to oral herpes and spreads through contact with saliva. HSV-2 is related to genital herpes. Herpes is extremely common. To give you an idea, about 2 in 3 people (up to 80% of americans) contract HSV-1 by the age of 50. About 15% of people aged 15-49 contract HSV-2. Like Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, Herpes can also be spread to a fetus during a vaginal delivery.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22855-herpes-simplex

Herpes can be spread through contact with an infected person. If you have Herpes, you are most likely to spread the infection when you are experiencing an outbreak (sores). However, the infection can be spread at any time.

You can Contract HSV-1 by...

  • Kissing
  • Touching a person's mouth/face
  • Sharing food and utensils, lip balm, razors
  • Participating in oral sex

You can Contract HSV-2 by...

  • Unprotected intercourse
  • Oral sex
  • Skin-to-skin contact
  • Touching open sores
  • Breastfeeding
  • Vaginal births

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22855-herpes-simplex