Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

• Diseases or infections which are transmitted through sexual

intercourse are collectively called STDs or venereal disease
(VD) or reproductive tract infections (RTI).
• Gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes chlamydiasis, genital
warts, trichomoniasis, hepatitis B and AIDS are some of
the common STDs.
• Of these, the three viral infections ie. AIDs, Genital Herpes
and Hepatitis-B cannot be cured while others are curable.
• The early general symptoms include the following in the
genital region.

i. Itching
ii. Fluid discharge
iii. Slight pain
iv. Swelling
• The infected persons do not seek medical help for the
following reasons:

i. Absence or less-significant symptoms in the early stage of

infections.
ii. Social stigma attached to STDs.
• These diseases are reported to be high among individuals of
the age group of 15-24 years.
• These infections could be avoided / prevented by following
practices:

i. Avoiding sex with unknown partners or multiple

partners.
ii. Using condoms during coitus every time.
iii. Seeking medical help in case of doubt and getting it
completely cured.