Sexually transmitted infections
Sexually transmitted infections also known as sexually transmitted diseases, is any type of disease transmissible through sexual intercourse and activities. They are mainly spread between sexual active partners. A partner with the infection can transfer to his/her partner through blood or body fluids like semen, vaginal secretions, and saliva exchange.
Sexually transmitted infections are caused pathogens. These disease causing pathogens live in the blood and body fluids: saliva,semen,vagina and penile secretions. During sexual intercourse, pathogens get into the body of the uninfected partner and quickly invade the body. Pathogens are any disease causing organisms which includes bacteria, fungus, virus , and parasites are most common disease causing pathogens responsible for the cause and the spread of Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Bacteria, fungi and other disease causing organisms will multiply quickly in the body within 2-14days from the time of infection. During the multiplication and development stage, patients are likely to show some common signs and symptoms. This is as a result of the change in the body’s normal functioning.
Pathogens invading the body will interferes with the body’s immune system, break down cells and weaken your body’s immune system almost rendering its ability to fight infections futile.
In this article, you will come close to knowing the various, most common and dangerous sexually transmitted infections, methods of transmission, treatments and precautions and and some preventive measures to put across from contracting sexually transmitted infections. You will discover the various types, signs and symptoms of sexually transmitted infections in both male and female.
Ten most common Sexually transmitted infections
1. Chlamydia
2. Gonorrhea
3. Syphilis
4. HIV/AIDS
5. Hepatitis B
6. Trichomoniasis
7. Genital warts
8. Genital herpes
9. HPV(human papilloma virus)
10. Bacterial vaginosis.
Some sexually transmitted infections can be transmitted through sexual intercourse including anal, penile vagina sex, and oral sex, however, they are not categorized as STIs. This is because these pathogens can develop in your body without coming into contact with an infected person. Example is the candida infection or yeast infection normally refers to as thrush.
Candida or yeast in women however shows symptoms similar to sexually transmitted. Candida develops and multiply in your body and causes serious symptoms. The fungus candida can be transmitted during sex to your partner. This can happen both in heterosexual or homosexual partners.
Do I need to see symptoms before I can confirm of STI?
NO! you don’t need to rely on signs or only symptoms to confirm of sexually transmitted infections since not all sexually transmitted infection will come with symptoms. Keep in mind that some sexually transmitted infections may be asymptomatic, thus showing no symptoms at the time of the infection however you must not rely only on signs or symptoms to be sure if you have contracted the infection.
Meanwhile if you have unprotected sex with your partner or someone you do not know about their health status, quickly visit the health facility to get screened. Either way you can be sure if you have the infection and treatment be done immediately to avoid spreading to other potential partner(s) and prevent you from developing complications in the future.
Lets look at this new scientific technology for treating and terminating the growth and development of HIV virus. HIV which is known to be a life threatening or chronic STI, has been reported to have some emergency medications that can be given to a person who have an unprotected sex or thinks he/she might have contracted the disease. These emergency drugs is effective within 48hour. It works by stopping the human deficiency syndrome from spreading and invading through to your body.
Signs and symptoms of sexually transmitted infections
The following are the possible symptoms and signs of sexually transmitted infections or diseases. You may however be suffering from Sexually transmitted infections (stis )if you have one or more of these symptoms;
Symptoms of Chlamydia
Chlamydia – chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease among sexually active people. Chlamydia can be asymptomatic thus in early stages of contraction, its likely to show no signs and symptoms in some patient thereby making it spread quickly and fast. People with the infection can spread without knowing. Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria.
Chlamydia in women can causes damage to the reproductive system and cause serious medical complications like bareness or stillbirths. In men untreated chlamydia may cause infertility. Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis.
chlamydia in women
⦁ vaginal discharge with odor
⦁ bleeding during and after sex
⦁ pain or cramps in the abdomen
⦁ bleeding between periods
⦁ itching and burning around the vagina
⦁ pain during urination
chlamydia in men
⦁ penile discharge usually cloudy or watery and with odor
⦁ pain or cramps in the testicles
⦁ itching and burning in the urethra
⦁ pain during urination
⦁ swollen testicles
Symptoms of Gonorrhea
GONORRHEA: Gonorrhea is caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The bacteria infects the mucous membranes of the reproductive tract including the cervix, uterus, and Fallopian tube in women and testicles. Untreated gonorrhea may spread to your blood or joints and may also makes you susceptible to contracting HIV.
Gonorrhea in women
⦁ yellowish or greenish vagina discharge
⦁ pain and burning when urinating
⦁ abnormal bleeding
⦁ pains in the lower abdomen
⦁ frequent urination
Gonorrhea in men
⦁ white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis
⦁ swollen testicles
⦁ burning and pain when urinating
⦁ frequently urinating
⦁ swelling and discoloration of the foreskin
Symptoms of Syphilis.
Syphilis: Syphilis is a bacterial infection spread mostly by sexual contact. Syphilis will normally break out as a painless sores around the genitals. Although syphilis is mostly spread through penetrative sex, coming into close contact with the infected sores is enough to transmit the infection. These sores are known as chancres. Chancres can however occur on the vagina, anus, rectum, lips or mouth and in men on the penis.
Is syphilis that dangerous? Untreated syphilis can result in the bacterial invading many different organs in the body which includes the brain and the nervous system, the heart and the blood vessels. Examples includes, brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones and joints. This stage of syphilis is known as tertiary syphilis and can occur 10-30 years at the time of infection.
Symptoms of syphilis in women
⦁ painless sores
⦁ hair loss
⦁ sore throat and swollen nodes
⦁ fever
⦁ muscle aches
⦁ a white green or yellow discharge from the vagina
⦁ rashes
Symptoms of syphilis in men
⦁ body rashes lasting for 2 – 6 weeks
⦁ painless sores at the affected area
⦁ fever
⦁ penile discharge
⦁ muscle pains
⦁ hair loss
Note: syphilis can clear away even without treatments but will can back in about years with mild symptoms and complications.
Symptoms of HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS: HIV is a virus that damages the cells in your body. Its usually attacks the immune system rendering it susceptible to other diseases. Its damages your body’s ability to fight infections. HIV is however a sexually transmitted disease that can be transmitted through anal or vaginal sex but not limited to other sexual activities. The virus can be spread through other medium like birth, sharing needles, syringes etc.
AIDS(acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is caused by HIV/ AIDS is however the term use to describe the numerous infections and diseases that has finally invade your body.
Symptoms and signs of HIV does not differ from gender to gender, however both men and women with the virus, Human immune deficiency syndrome are likely to show similar symptoms.
⦁ unexpected weight loss
⦁ diarrhea
⦁ sore throats and painful mouth ulcers
⦁ rashes on the skin
⦁ night sweats
⦁ fever
Symptoms of Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B: is however more easily to spread faster than any other type sexually transmitted disease. This disease affects the liver.
Hepatitis B can be transmitted through blood and body fluids like semen, saliva and vagina secretions. The disease can be spread through anal, oral and vaginal intercourse. Hepatitis is a viral disease caused by the virus hepatitis B virus (HBV)
Symptoms in both men and women include the following;
⦁ loss of appetite
⦁ nausea and vomiting
⦁ fever
⦁ weakness and fatigue
⦁ muscle and joints pain
⦁ dark urine
⦁ abdominal cramps
⦁ jaundice (yellow skin and white eyes
Symptoms of Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis: is a type of sexually transmitted disease that is caused by the parasite, Trichomonas vaginalis. Most trichomoniasis cases in women and men is noticed by a foul-smelling vagina or penile discharge.
Trichomoniasis in women
⦁ abnormal vaginal discharge- can be thick, frothy and have green or yellow color
⦁ fishy vaginal discharge
⦁ discomfort when urinating
⦁ itching and burning on genitals
⦁ redness and soreness on the vagina
Trichomoniasis in men
⦁ abnormal penile discharge- can be thick, frothy and have green or yellow color
⦁ fishy penile discharge
⦁ discomfort when urinating
⦁ itching and burning on genitals
⦁ redness and soreness on the effected area
Symptoms of Genital warts
Genital warts: Genital warts is a commonly transmitted diseases. It is called by the virus called human papilloma virus(HPV). The virus can be contracted through directed contact with an infected person through vaginal, oral and anal sex. Genital warts may clear on its own with or without any treatment. They may take about one to two years to clear up completely from a patient.
Symptoms in women
⦁ Itching and bleeding from the vagina and anus
⦁ flesh-colored growth on the vagina, anus and inner thighs
⦁ irregular urination
⦁ flesh like growth may occur in your internal organs
Symptoms in men
⦁ Itching
⦁ flesh-colored growth on the affected area like anus and inner thighs
⦁ irregular urination
⦁ flesh like growth may occur in your internal organs
Symptoms of genital herpes
Genital Herpes: Genital herpes is another common STDs caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). HSV is however categorizes into two types, namely HSV-1 and HSV-2.
It is medically reported that the herpes simplex virus -1 can be passed on from the infected person to uninfected person through the saliva. it is however, one common sexually transmitted infections transmitted through oral sex.
Kissing can however aids the transmission. HSV-1 acquired through the mouth can later makes its way in to the body. genital herpes is incurable and can only be managed by anti-herpes drugs.
Herpes in women
⦁ itching and burning in vagina or anal area
⦁ abnormal vaginal discharge
⦁ sores in the mouth, on tongue and vulva
⦁ painful blisters on the tongue and
⦁ swollen glands
⦁ fever and headache
⦁ pain in the leg,buttocks or vagina
⦁ pain and burning when urinating
Herpes in men
⦁ Itching and burning on the affected area including inner thighs and anal section
⦁ abnormal penile discharge
⦁ sores in the mouth, on tongue and foreskin
⦁ painful blisters on the tongue.
⦁ swollen glands
⦁ fever and headache
⦁ pain in the leg,buttocks or testicles
⦁ pain and burning when urinating
Symptoms of HPV(human papillomavirus)HPV
HPV(human papillomavirus)HPV: is another common type of sexually transmitted diseases. Study shows that nearly everyone will get HPV at some point in their life. This infection is transmitted through penile vagina sex, anal and oral sex. You can get HPV when you come close to the infected sore on the infected person. HPV has the potential of causing cancer in the future. HPV however has no cure but can be managed by antiviral drugs.
HPV Symptoms in women
⦁ bleeding during and after sex
⦁ abnormal vagina discharge
⦁ pain during sex
HPV symptoms in men
⦁ sores on the affected area
⦁ warts on the affected area
Symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial Vaginosis: this type of infection is found and develop in your body. bacterial vaginosis occurs in women when there is an overgrowth of natural bacterial in your body. This overgrowth of bacteria can be caused by certain medication like hormonal contraceptives and the semen discharge into the vagina during unprotected sex.
in short, bacterial vaginiosis is a type of inflammation which trigger the natural PH of the natural bacteria.
Most women are likely to get bacterial vaginosis at some point in their life. This type infection although not basically transmitted through sex, however a woman with bacterial vaginosis may have the following symptoms;
⦁ foul smelling or fishy vagina discharge
⦁ itching and burning in the vagina
⦁ sores and rashes
⦁ discomfort and burning when urinating
⦁ white or green or yellow vaginal discharge
Bottom line
The use of condom is best known method or preventing measure you and your partner can adopt in order to prevent against and spreading sexually transmitted diseases. Always practice sex. Keep in mind that not all STDs can be prevented by condoms, however knowing the status of your partner can help with some type infections.Your doctor and health professional will be able to detect and treat all sexually transmitted disease cases.
Treatments are usually best done health professionals. There should be a test showing clearly that you have the disease before treatment can be done. self medication is very dangerous as there is no laboratory test showing the type of sexually transmitted infection.
Keep in mind that sexually transmitted diseases or infections are caused by different types pathogens and each have their own methods and medications for treatment and cure. however self medication will put you at the verge of either treating the wrong infection or making the bacteria become resistant to antibiotics.
Not all sexually transmitted infections are curable. This means that whiles some can be treated with medications, some are only Bacterial STIs will be treated by bacterial antibiotics, most of which comes in oral, injections or suppositories.