STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases)
By Seda
Being Cautious of STDs
Also known as sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) or venereal diseases (VD), sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) rum rampant throughout the world and affect people of every age range and every culture. Anyone who is sexually active runs the risk of contracting an STD; in some cases, STDs can even be spread despite precautionary measures like condoms.
There are many different varieties of STDs out there that you have to contend with if you are a sexually active individual. The three main categories of STDs are as follows: Bacterial, viral, and parasitic; this also means that infections range from bugs that use you as a host and annoying rashes, all the way to untreatable, deadly diseases of the viral variety that are relentless.
As medical science has evolved, there are more treatment options available for some common STDs. Some types of infections can be easily cured. Others can be prevented through immunizations. But almost every type of STD out there can be spread easily not only through sexual intercourse, but also through the exchange of any bodily fluids.
This means that people infected with STDs are a danger to those around them. A virus like HIV/AIDs can be spread through blood as well as sexual intercourse, and a virus like herpes can be spread with any contact of the genitalia. Oral sex and even foreplay in some instances can lead to the spread of STDs.
To understand the risks associated with sexually-transmitted diseases, you have to understand just how many different types of STDs are out there.
Types of STDs
As touched on previously, sexually-transmitted infections range from bacterial to viral to parasitic. Other infections, like fungal infections, can fall into the bacterial category. It’s also important to note that STDs affect men and women differently. While most diseases are undoubtedly unisex, affecting both genders, some have preferences.
Below, we will go over a few different types of common STDs out there and speak about how they’re spread and what types of problems they cause when contracted.
Knowing about the various types of sexually-transmitted infections that you may contract could just open your eyes to the dangerous of unprotected sex.
HIV/AIDS
The most dangerous of all STIs, HIV/AIDS is an incurable virus that kills the body’s CD4 cells. The initial virus that causes AIDS, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, kills your body’s cells and its immune system before AIDS finally takes over. After AIDS settles in, an infected person’s lifespan is very short. HIV/AIDS can be spread through sexual contact, blood, sharing of needles, and other ways. It can also be passed from mother to child.
It is important to note that the two diseases are not the same. HIV, although still incurable, can be treated very well these days and people can live a normal life with the right treatment.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a bacterial STI that grows in the reproductive tract or other moist, warm places like the uterus, fallopian tubes, urethra, and even in the mouth, eyes and anus in some cases. Men and woman can contract gonorrhea, and it can often be an asymptomatic disease. If symptoms do present themselves, they’re usually in the form of discharge from the penis or vagina, or burning during urination. Gonorrhea is a very widespread STD, most commonly known as the clap.
Herpes
An incurable STI, herpes can plague men and women and can very easily be transmitted to partners through as little as a kiss (assuming someone has herpes on their lips). The danger about herpes is that this STI can be transmitted even if no sores are present. The herpes simplex virus (1 or 2) can present itself as sores on the genitals (2) or on the mouth/lips (1).
Syphilis
Another incredibly common bacterial STD, syphilis is transmitted through direct contact with one of the sores the infection causes. These sores range in size and color, often reddish-brown near the genitalia, or even presenting as a skin rash on the body. Syphilis can infect men and women, and unless treated in time, late-stage syphilis can cause mental illness, heart disease, blindness, and even death.
HPV
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is essentially a group of over 100 viruses, over 30 of which are sexually-transmitted diseases. In terms of the most common STD birthed of HPV, you might know it by its more common name – genital warts. Genital warts can infect both men and women through not only sexual intercourse, but even genitalia contact. Genital warts can appear on the skin of the penis, the vulva and other parts of the vagina, and even on the anus.
PID
PID, or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, is a general term used to describe an STI that affects women. Women can contract PID as an infection in the uterus, fallopian tubes, and in other parts of the reproductive system. PID isn’t a standalone STI per se. It is more of a dangerous side effect of other sexually-transmitted infections like Chlamydia or gonorrhea.
Chlamydia
Throughout the United States and in other parts of the world, Chlamydia is the number-one STD in existence. Affecting both men and women, Chlamydia is a bacterial STI, dangerous to people because it is sometimes absent of symptoms altogether. In women, Chlamydia can go undiagnosed for years and cause irreparable damage to the reproductive system. In men, Chlamydia causes a nasty discharge—if it shows symptoms at all—and pain in some cases.
Trichomonas/Vaginitis
Another parasite, the single-celled protozoan known as Trichommoniasis, commonly called “trich,” is the cause of vaginitis in women. This parasite only affects women but can be spread through sexual intercourse. Vaginitis, of course, is the end result of the infection the trich parasite causes. Vaginitis can cause heavy discharge, pain, burning and itching, blood spotting, and if left untreated, vaginitis can affect the reproductive system.
Pubic Lice
Technically a sexually-transmitted disease, public lice, more commonly known as crabs, is a parasite that latches onto the pubic hair. Crabs have no gender preference, and you do not have to engage in intercourse to contract them. Your genitalia in close proximity with someone else’s is enough for crabs to find a new host.
Screening for STDs
Early detection and prevention are your best weapons against STIs. Before you engage in any sexual activity with a partner, even if you trust them, you should both be screened for sexually-transmitted diseases. Even a condom cannot prevent against a lot of these diseases, so the only real way to be safe is to know the other party’s bill of health.
If you are a sexually active person, you should receive regular screenings. Even if you are always a safe person—and you always should practice safe sex!—you still need to be checked for some of the STIs that may not present any symptoms.
Sexually-transmitted diseases are nothing to fool around with. Contracting any STI can easily morph into something dangerous and potentially deadly. Always be safe and always remain educated about the subject.
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