Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs, venereal diseases) are among the most common infectious diseases in the United States today. STDs are sometimes referred to as sexually transmitted infections, since these conditions involve the transmission of an infectious organism between sex partners. More than 20 different STDs have been identified, and about 19 million men and women are infected each year in the United States, according to the CDC (2010).
Depending on the disease, the infection can be spread through any type of sexual activity involving the sex organs, the anus, or the mouth; an infection can also be spread through contact with blood during sexual activity. STDs are infrequently transmitted by any other type of contact (blood, body fluids or tissue removed from an STD infected person and placed in contact with an uninfected person); however, people that share unsterilized needles markedly increase the chance to pass many diseases, including STD's (especially hepatitis B), to others. Some diseases are not considered to be officially an STD (for example, hepatitis types
A,
C, E) but are infrequently noted to be transferred during sexual activity. Consequently, some authors include them as STD's, others do not. Consequently, lists of STD's can vary, depending on whether the STD is usually transmitted by sexual contact or only infrequently transmitted.
- STDs affect men and women of all ages and backgrounds, including children. Many states require that Child Protective Services be notified if children are diagnosed with an STD.
- STDs have become more common in recent years, partly because people are becoming sexually active at a younger age, are having multiple partners, and do not use preventive methods to lessen their chance of acquiring an STD.
- People can pass STDs to sexual partners even if they themselves do not have any symptoms.
- Frequently, STDs can be present but cause no symptoms, especially in women (for example, chlamydia, genital herpes or gonorrhea). This can also occur in some men.
- Health problems and long-term consequences from STDs tend to be more severe for women than for men. Some STDs can cause pelvic infections such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which may cause a tubo-ovarian abscess. The abscess, in turn, may lead to scarring of the reproductive organs, which can result in an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the uterus), infertility or even death for a woman.
- Human papillomavirus infection (HPV infection), an STD, is a known cause ofcancer of the cervix.
- Many STDs can be passed from a mother to her baby before, during, or immediately after birth.
- Because the method of becoming infected is similar with all STDs, a person often obtains more than one pathogenic organism at a time. For example, many people (about 50%) are infected at a single sexual contact with both gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Depending on the disease, STDs can be spread with any type of sexual activity. STDs are most often caused by viruses and bacteria. The following is a list of the most common STDs, their causes and other infections (see STDs with asterisk mark*) that may be transmitted on occasion by sexual activity, but are frequently not considered primarily to be an STD by many investigators:
STDs caused by bacteriaSTDs caused by viruses
STD caused by protozoan
STD's* caused by fungi
STD's caused by parasites
For details about the pathogens that cause the diseases, the reader is urged to search the specific disease by simply clicking on it.
Common STDs have a variety of symptoms (if symptoms develop at all) and many different complications, including death.
Symptoms of STDs caused by bacteriaChancroid Symptoms
- Are not common in the United States but common in developing countries.
- Symptoms include painful ulcers on the genitals.
- Can be confused with syphilis or herpes
- Is treatable with antibiotics
Chlamydia symptoms
- Most common of all STDs caused by bacteria.
- Cause no symptoms in about 80% of women and 50% of men
- When symptoms are present, commonly there is discharge from the vagina or the penis, and burning or pain during urination.
- Is transmitted through vaginal, oral, or anal sexual contact
- Ectopic pregnancy and infertility for women are potential serious complications.
- Is treatable with antibiotics
Gonorrhea symptoms
- Discharge from the vagina or the penis
- Over 50% of infected women have no symptoms, but they can still transmit the disease to others.
- Painful urination
- Ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility for women, Fitzhugh-Curtis syndrome (perihepatitis) and death are potential serious complications.
- Is treatable with antibiotics
Granuloma inguinale (donovanosis) symptoms
- Not common in the U.S.
- Symptoms are painless genital ulcers in the groin area.
- Is treatable with antibiotics, usually for three or more weeks
Lymphogranuloma venereum
- Not common in the U.S.
- Symptoms are abscesses (buboes) in the groin, rectum or other areas; fistulas that drain pus may occur and are treatable with antibiotics.
Syphilis
- Symptoms are mild and often go undetected initially
- Starts with a painless genital ulcer that goes away on its own
- Rash, fever, headache, achy joints
- Is treatable with antibiotics
- More serious complications associated with later stages of the disease if undetected and untreated
Symptoms of STDs caused by viruses
Genital herpes
- Recurring outbreaks of blister-like sores on the genitals
- Can be transmitted from a mother to her baby during birth
- Reduction in frequency and severity of blister outbreaks with treatment but not complete elimination of infection.
- Can be transmitted by a partner who has herpes even if no blisters are present.
Genital warts
- Caused by a virus related to skin warts, human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Small, painless bumps in the genital or anal areas (sometimes in large clusters that look like cauliflower)
- Various treatments available (for example, freezing or painting the warts with medication)
- Vaccines are available against the most common types of HPV
Hepatitis
- Hepatitis B and D are most often associated with sexual contact, hepatitis A, C, E are less frequently transmitted by sexual contact.
- Both may be transmitted via contact with blood; for hepatitis B, sexual transmission is believed to be responsible for 30% of the cases worldwide.
- The hepatitis B virus can cause both an initial (acute) and a chronic form of liver inflammation. Only 50% of acute infections with the hepatitis B virus produce symptoms. The initial phase of infection lasts a few weeks, and in most people (90%-95%), the infection clears.
- Acute infection can cause yellowish skin and eyes, fever, achy, tired (flu-like symptoms).
- Severe complications in some people, including cirrhosis and liver cancer may occur in a small percent of individuals infected with HBV.
- Treatments are available and remission is possible with some aggressive medications.
- Immunizations are available to prevent hepatitis B.
- Spread primarily by sexual contact and from sharing IV needles
- Can be transmitted at the time a person becomes infected with other STDs
- No specific symptoms or physical signs confirm HIV infection.
- The average time from infection to the development of symptoms related to immunosuppression (decreased functioning of the immune system) is 10 years.
- Fatigue, night sweats, chills, or fever lasting several weeks, headaches, andcough may occur a few weeks after contracting the virus initially.
- Serious complications of AIDS include unusual infections or cancers, weight loss, intellectual deterioration (dementia), and death.
- No current cure but medications are available to slow disease progression.
Molluscum contagiosum
- Small (2-5mm) raised areas (papules) on the skin
- Contagious, usually by direct skin to skin contact
- Self-limited over months to years; treated with some topical creams
- Often cryotherapy (freezing) or surgical removal is performed
Symptoms of STDs caused by protozoan
Trichomonas
- Frothy vaginal discharge with a strong odor
- Treated with antibacterial/antiprotozoal medicines
Symptoms of STDs* caused by fungi
Jock itch (genital itching or Tenia cruris)* (not always an STD)
- Itchy groin skin, sometimes has a reddish color
- Is treated with topical antifungal medicines
Yeast infection (Candidiasis)* (not always an STD)
- Cheese-like vaginal discharge or whitish exudates sometimes with a reddish hue to the skin; it may occur around the foreskin of infected males; common symptoms are itching and burning sensation of the vagina or penis.
- Is treated with topical antifungal medicines in most cases
Symptoms of STDs caused by parasites
Pubic lice
- Very tiny bugs that are found in pubic hair, sometimes referred to as "crabs"
- Can be picked up from clothing or bedding
- First noticed as itching in the pubic area
- Are treatable with creams, anti-lice agents, and combing
Scabies
- Skin infestation caused by a tiny mite
- Highly contagious
- Intense itching is the primary symptom, which worsens at night
- Spread primarily by sexual contact or from contact with skin, infested sheets, towels, or furniture
- Is treated with creams
When to Seek Medical Care
A medical examination may be necessary if a person believes he or she may have an STD or if he or she may have been exposed to someone with an STD. Being seen by a doctor as soon as possible after exposure to an STD is important; these infections can easily spread to others and can have serious complications.
Go to a hospital's emergency department in these circumstances if:
- an STD problem worsens;
- a fever develops with other symptoms; or
- if it will be a couple of days before the individual can be evaluated by a doctor
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