Everything You Need to

Know About Sexually

Transmitted Diseases
(STDs)
Facts about STDs
The term sexually transmitted disease (STD) is used to refer to a condition
passed from one person to another through sexual contact. A person can
contract an STD by having unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with
someone who has the STD.

An STD may also be called a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or venereal

disease (VD).

That doesn’t mean sex is the only way STDs are transmitted. Depending on
the specific STD, infections may also be transmitted through sharing needles
and breastfeeding.

Symptoms of STDs in men

It’s possible to contract an STD without developing symptoms. But some
STDs cause obvious symptoms. In men, common symptoms include:
  pain or discomfort during sex or urination
 sores, bumps, or rashes on or around the penis, testicles, anus,
buttocks, thighs, or mouth
 unusual discharge or bleeding from the penis
 painful or swollen testicles

Specific symptoms can vary, depending on the STD. Learn more about the
symptoms of STDs in men.

Symptoms of STDs in women

In many cases, STDs don’t cause noticeable symptoms. When they do,
common STD symptoms in women include:

 pain or discomfort during sex or urination

 sores, bumps, or rashes on or around the vagina, anus, buttocks,
thighs, or mouth
 unusual discharge or bleeding from the vagina
 itchiness in or around the vagina

The specific symptoms can vary from one STD to another. Here’s more about
the symptoms of STDs in women.

Types of STDs
Many different types of infections can be transmitted sexually. The most
common STDs are described below.
Chlamydia

A certain type of bacteria causes chlamydia. It’s the most commonly reported
STD among Americans, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC).

Many people with chlamydia have no noticeable symptoms. When symptoms

do develop, they often include:

 pain or discomfort during sex or urination

 green or yellow discharge from the penis or vagina
 pain in the lower abdomen

If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to:

 infections of the urethra, prostate gland, or testicles

 pelvic inflammatory disease
 infertility

If a pregnant woman has untreated chlamydia, she can pass it to her baby
during birth. The baby may develop:

 pneumonia
 eye infections
 blindness

Antibiotics can easily treat chlamydia. Read more about chlamydia, including

how to prevent, recognize, and treat it.
HPV (human papillomavirus)

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that can be passed from one person to
another through intimate skin-to-skin or sexual contact. There are many
different strains of the virus. Some are more dangerous than others.

The most common symptom of HPV is warts on the genitals, mouth, or throat.

Some strains of HPV infection can lead to cancer, including:

 oral cancer
 cervical cancer
 vulvar cancer
 penile cancer
 rectal cancer

While most cases of HPV don’t become cancerous, some strains of the virus
are more likely to cause cancer than others. According to the National Cancer
Institute, most cases of HPV-related cancer in the United States are caused
by HPV 16 and HPV 18. These two strains of HPV account for 70 percent of
all cervical cancer cases.

There’s no treatment for HPV. However, HPV infections often clear up on their
own. There’s also a vaccine available to protect against some of the most
dangerous strains, including HPV 16 and HPV 18.

If a person contracts HPV, proper testing and screenings can help their doctor
assess and manage your risk of complications. Discover the steps you can
take to protect yourself against HPV and its potential complications.
Syphilis

Syphilis is another bacterial infection. It often goes unnoticed in its early

stages.

The first symptom to appear is a small round sore, known as a chancre. It can
develop on your genitals, anus, or mouth. It’s painless but very infectious.

Later symptoms of syphilis can include:

 rash
 fatigue
 fever
 headaches
 joint pain
 weight loss
 hair loss

If left untreated, late-stage syphilis can lead to:

 loss of vision
 loss of hearing
 loss of memory
 mental illness
 infections of the brain or spinal cord
 heart disease
 death
Fortunately, if caught early enough, syphilis is easily treated with antibiotics.
However, syphilis infection in a newborn can be fatal. That’s why it’s important
for all pregnant women to be screened for syphilis.

The earlier syphilis is diagnosed and treated, the less damage it does. Find
the information you need to recognize syphilis and stop it in its tracks.

HIV

HIV can damage the immune system and raise the risk of contracting other
viruses or bacteria and developing certain cancers. If left untreated, it can lead
to stage 3 HIV, known as AIDS. But with today’s treatment, many people living
with HIV don’t ever develop AIDS.

In the early or acute stages, it’s easy to mistake the symptoms of HIV with
those of the flu. For example, the early symptoms can include:

 fever
 chills
 aches and pains
 swollen lymph nodes
 sore throat
 headache
 nausea
 rashes

These initial symptoms typically clear within a month or so. From that point
onward, a person can carry HIV without developing serious or persistent
symptoms for many years. Other people may develop nonspecific symptoms,
such as:
  recurrent fatigue
 fevers
 headaches
 stomach issues

There’s no cure for HIV yet, but treatment options are available to manage it.
Early and effective treatment can help people with HIV live as long as those
without HIV.

Proper treatment can also lower a person’s chances of transmitting HIV to a

sexual partner. In fact, treatment can potentially lower the amount of HIV in a
person’s body to undetectable levels. At undetectable levels, HIV can’t be
transmitted to other people, reports the CDC.

Without routine testing, many people with HIV don’t realize they have it. To
promote early diagnosis and treatment, the CDC recommends that everyone
between the ages of 13 and 64 be tested at least once. People at high risk of
HIV should be tested at least once a year, even if they don’t have symptoms.

Free and confidential testing can be found in all major cities and many public
health clinics. A government tool for finding local testing services is
available here.

With recent advancements in testing and treatment, it’s possible to live a long
and healthy life with HIV. Get the facts you need to protect yourself or your
partner from HIV.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is another common bacterial STD. It’s also known as “the clap.”
Many people with gonorrhea develop no symptoms. But when present,
symptoms may include:

 a white, yellow, beige, or green-colored discharge from the penis or

vagina
 pain or discomfort during sex or urination
 more frequent urination than usual
 itching around the genitals
 sore throat

If left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to:

 infections of the urethra, prostate gland, or testicles

 pelvic inflammatory disease
 infertility

It’s possible for a mother to pass gonorrhea to a newborn during childbirth.

When that happens, gonorrhea can cause serious health problems in the
baby. That’s why many doctors encourage pregnant women to get tested and
treated for potential STDs.

Gonorrhea can usually be treated with antibiotics. Learn more about the

symptoms, treatment options, and long-term outlook for people with
gonorrhea.

Pubic lice (‘crabs’)

“Crabs” is another name for pubic lice. They’re tiny insects that can take up
residence on your pubic hair. Like head lice and body lice, they feed on
human blood.
Common symptoms of pubic lice include:

 itching around the genitals or anus

 small pink or red bumps around the genitals or anus
 low-grade fever
 lack of energy
 irritability

A person might also be able to see the lice or their tiny white eggs around the
roots of pubic hair. A magnifying glass can help you spot them.

If left untreated, pubic lice can be transmitted to other people through skin-to-
skin contact or shared clothing, bedding, or towels. Scratched bites can also
become infected. It’s best to treat pubic lice infestations immediately.

If a person has pubic lice, they can use over-the-counter topical treatments
and tweezers to remove them from your body. It’s also important to clean your
clothes, bedding, towels, and home. Here’s more on how to get rid of pubic
lice and prevent reinfection.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is also known as “trich.” It’s caused by a tiny protozoan

organism that can be passed from one person to another through genital
contact.

According to the CDC, less than one-third of people with trich develop

symptoms. When symptoms do develop, they may include:

 discharge from the vagina or penis

 burning or itching around the vagina or penis
  pain or discomfort during urination or sex
 frequent urination

In women, trich-related discharge often has an unpleasant or “fishy” smell.

If left untreated, trich can lead to:

 infections of the urethra
 pelvic inflammatory disease
 infertility

Trich can be treated with antibiotics. Learn how to recognize trich early to get
treatment sooner.

Herpes

Herpes is the shortened name for the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are
two main strains of the virus, HSV-1 and HSV-2. Both can be transmitted
sexually. It’s a very common STD. The CDC estimates more than 1 out of
6 people ages 14 to 49 have herpes in the United States.

HSV-1 primarily causes oral herpes, which is responsible for cold sores.

However, HSV-1 can also be passed from one person’s mouth to another
person’s genitals during oral sex. When this happens, HSV-1 can cause
genital herpes.

HSV-2 primarily causes genital herpes.

The most common symptom of herpes is blistery sores. In the case of genital
herpes, these sores develop on or around the genitals. In oral herpes, they
develop on or around the mouth.
Herpes sores generally crust over and heal within a few weeks. The first
outbreak is usually the most painful. Outbreaks typically become less painful
and frequent over time.

If a pregnant woman has herpes, she can potentially pass it to her fetus in the
womb or to her newborn infant during childbirth. This so-called congenital
herpes can be very dangerous to newborns. That’s why it’s beneficial for
pregnant women to become aware of their HSV status.

There’s no cure for herpes yet. But medications are available to help control
outbreaks and alleviate the pain of herpes sores. The same medications can
also lower your chances of passing herpes to your sexual partner.

Effective treatment and safe sexual practices can help you lead a comfortable
life with herpes and protect others from the virus. Get the information you
need to prevent, recognize, and manage herpes.

Other STDs

Other, less common STDs include:

 chancroid
 lymphogranuloma venereum
 granuloma inguinale
 molluscum contagiosum
 scabies
STDs from oral sex
Vaginal and anal sex aren’t the only way STDs are transmitted. It’s also
possible to contract or transmit an STD through oral sex. In other words,
STDs can be passed from one person’s genitals to another person’s mouth or
throat and vice versa.

Oral STDs aren’t always noticeable. When they do cause symptoms, they
often include a sore throat or sores around the mouth or throat. Learn more
about the potential symptoms and treatment options for oral STDs.

Curable STDs
Many STDs are curable. For example, the following STDs can be cured with
antibiotics or other treatments:

 chlamydia
 syphilis
 gonorrhea
 crabs
 trichomoniasis

Others can’t be cured. For example, the following STDs are currently
incurable:

 HPV
 HIV
 herpes
Even if an STD can’t be cured, however, it can still be managed. It’s still
important to get an early diagnosis. Treatment options are often available to
help alleviate symptoms and lower your chances of transmitting the STD to
someone else. Take a moment to learn more about curable and incurable
STDs.

STDs and pregnancy

It’s possible for pregnant women to transmit STDs to the fetus during
pregnancy or newborn during childbirth. In newborns, STDs can cause
complications. In some cases, they can be life-threatening.

To help prevent STDs in newborns, doctors often encourage pregnant women

to be tested and treated for potential STDs. Your doctor might recommend
STD testing even if you don’t have symptoms.

If you test positive for one or more STDs while pregnant, your doctor might
prescribe antibiotics, antiviral medications, or other treatments. In some
cases, they might encourage you to give birth via a cesarean delivery to lower
the risk of transmission during childbirth.

Diagnosis of STDs
In most cases, doctors can’t diagnose STDs based on symptoms alone. If
your doctor or other healthcare provider suspects you might have an STD,
they’ll likely recommend tests to check.

Depending on your sexual history, your healthcare provider might recommend

STD testing even if you don’t have symptoms. This is because STDs don’t
cause noticeable symptoms in many cases. But even symptom-free STDs can
cause damage or be passed to other people.

Healthcare providers can diagnose most STDs using a urine or blood test.
They may also take a swab of your genitals. If you’ve developed any sores,
they may take swabs of those, too.

You can get tested for STDs at your doctor’s office or a sexual health clinic.

Home testing kits are also available for some STDs, but they may not always
be reliable. Use them with caution. Check to see if the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration has approved the testing kit before buying it.

It’s important to know that a Pap smear isn’t an STD test. A Pap smear
checks for the presence of precancerous cells on the cervix. While it may also
be combined with an HPV test, a negative Pap smear doesn’t mean you don’t
have any STDs.

If you’ve had any type of sex, it’s a good idea to ask your healthcare provider
about STD testing. Some people may benefit from more frequent testing than
others. Find out if you should be tested for STDs and what the tests involve.

Treatment of STDs
The recommended treatment for STDs varies, depending on what STD you
have. It’s very important that you and your sexual partner be successfully
treated for STDs before resuming sexual activity. Otherwise, you can pass an
infection back and forth between you.
Bacterial STDs

Usually, antibiotics can easily treat bacterial infections.

It’s important to take all your antibiotics as prescribed. Continue taking them
even if you feel better before you finish taking all of them. Let your doctor
know if your symptoms don’t go away or return after you’ve taken all of your
prescribed medication.

Viral STDs

Antibiotics can’t treat viral STDs. While most viral infections have no cure,
some can clear on their own. And in many cases, treatment options are
available to relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of transmission.

For example, medications are available to reduce the frequency and severity
of herpes outbreaks. Likewise, treatment can help stop the progression of
HIV. Furthermore, antiviral drugs can lower your risk of transmitting HIV to
someone else.

Other STDs

Some STDs are caused by neither viruses nor bacteria. Instead, they’re
caused by other small organisms. Examples include:

 pubic lice
 trichomoniasis
 scabies
These STDs are usually treatable with oral or topical medications. Ask your
doctor or other healthcare provider for more information about your condition
and treatment options.

STD prevention
Avoiding sexual contact is the only foolproof way to avoid STDs. But when
having vaginal, anal, or oral sex, there are ways to make it safer.

When used properly, condoms provide effective protection against many

STDs. For optimal protection, it’s important to use condoms during vaginal,
anal, and oral sex. Dental dams can also provide protection during oral sex.

Condoms are generally effective at preventing STDs that spread through

fluids, such as semen or blood. But they can’t fully protect against STDs that
pass from skin to skin. If a condom doesn’t cover the area of skin with the
infection, a person can still contract an STD or pass it to their partner.

Condoms can help protect against not only STDs, but also unwanted
pregnancy.

In contrast, many other types of birth control lower the risk of unwanted
pregnancy but not STDs. For example, the following forms of birth control
don’t protect against STDs:

 birth control pills

 birth control shot
 birth control implants
 intrauterine devices (IUDs)
Regular STD screening is a good idea for anyone who’s sexually active. It’s
particularly important for those with a new partner or multiple partners. Early
diagnosis and treatment can help stop the transmission of infections.

Before having sex with a new partner, it’s important to discuss sexual history.
Partners should also be screened for STDs by a healthcare professional.
Since STDs often have no symptoms, testing is the only way to know for sure
if someone has one.

When discussing STD test results, it’s important to ask a partner what they’ve
been tested for. Many people assume their doctors have screened them for
STDs as part of their regular care, but that’s not always true. need Ask the
doctor for specific STD tests to ensure they’re taken.

If a sexual partner tests positive for an STD, it’s important for them to follow
their healthcare provider’s recommended treatment plan. You can also ask
your doctor about strategies to protect yourself from contracting the STD from
your partner. For example, if your partner has HIV, your doctor will likely
encourage you to take pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

If you’re eligible, you and your partner should also consider getting vaccinated
for HPV and hepatitis B.

By following these strategies and others, a person can lower their chances of
contracting STDs and passing them to others. Learn more about the
importance of safe sex and STD prevention.

Don’t see what you need? Read our LGBTQIA safe sex guide.
Living with STDs
If a person tests positive for an STD, it’s important that they get treatment as
soon as possible.

If they have one STD, it can often increase their chances of contracting
another. Some STDs can also lead to severe consequences if left untreated.
In rare cases, untreated STDs may even be fatal.

Fortunately, most STDs are highly treatable. In some cases, they can be
cured entirely. In other cases, early and effective treatment can help relieve
symptoms, lower your risk of complications, and protect sexual partners.

In addition to taking prescribed medications for STDs, a doctor may advise a

person to adjust their sexual habits to help protect them and others. For
example, they’ll likely advise them to avoid sex altogether until the infection
has been effectively treated. When they resume sex, they’ll probably
encourage them to use condoms, dental dams, or other forms of protection.

Following a doctor’s recommended treatment and prevention plan can help

improve the long-term outlook with STDs.

Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/sexually-transmitted-diseases

Healthline