A sexually transmitted disease (also known as sexually transmitted infection, or STI) is any disease transferred largely via sexual contact. People can spread these diseases through oral, vaginal, or anal intercourse. You should know that one out of every four teenagers in the United States contracts a sexually transmitted disease (STD) each year. By the age of 25, half of all sexually active adults have an STD. In this article, we have gathered six common types of STDs that you should be aware of.
1. Human papillomavirus
Almost every sexually active person will get HPV at some time in their lives. In the United States, it is the most frequent sexually transmitted infection. More than 40 different varieties of HPV may be transmitted sexually. They can be obtained by vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse. You can also obtain them through skin-to-skin contact.
The majority of HPV strains generate no symptoms and do no harm, and your body eliminates them on its own. However, some of them are responsible for genital warts. Others affect the mouth and throat. Some strains of HPV can even cause cervical, penile, mouth, or throat cancer.
2. Herpes
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is an STI caused by a virus. It is classified into two types: HSV1 and HSV2. HSV1 is frequently connected with cold sores, while HSV2 is commonly confused with genital sores. Herpes can be transmitted from the mouth to the genitals and vice versa. Even if you don't have any sores or other symptoms, you can spread the virus to others. Herpes is incurable. However, antiviral medications can be used to relieve its symptoms.
3. Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most common bacterial STI in the United States that can affect both the urethra and the cervix. It is quite frequent among teenagers. The condition is readily treated, but, like many other sexually transmitted infections, chlamydia is often asymptomatic and hence goes untreated until it has progressed to a more dangerous stage.
Three out of every four women and one out of every two males show no symptoms. By the time a girl seeks medical treatment, the condition has advanced to pelvic inflammatory disease, a common cause of female infertility and pelvic discomfort in 40% of cases. That’s why it is essential to visit a primary health care clinic for regular STD testing and timely treatment.
4. Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that can be treated. If left untreated, it can lead to infertility in women. Gonorrhea can affect the cervix, urethra, rectum, throat, and, on rare occasions, the eyes. The most typical signs of this illness are vaginal or penile discharge and painful or difficult urinating. If left untreated, gonorrhea, like chlamydia, can develop pelvic inflammatory disease, which can cause chronic pelvic discomfort and irreparable damage to a woman's reproductive systems.
5. Syphilis
Syphilis is a serious illness that has four stages. The predominant symptom of the first stage is a sore. The pain may seem to be a cut, an ingrown hair, or a harmless lump at times. The secondary stage begins with a rash on your body and progresses to sores in your mouth, vagina, or anus.
Symptoms often vanish in the third, or latent, stage. This period might persist for years or your entire life. Only around 15% of patients with untreated syphilis will progress to the last stage which causes organ and nerve damage. Antibiotics might be prescribed by your doctor to treat syphilis. The earlier therapy begins, the better they work.
6. Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is the most widespread nonviral sexually transmitted infection in the world. Women are more affected than males. Because the symptoms are similar, this illness may appear to be a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis. Trichomoniasis can cause foamy discharge, an unpleasant vaginal smell, pain during sex, irritation, and itching in women. Symptoms of trichomoniasis in men are uncommon.
