This is estimated by the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). millions of people get a contract a sexually transmitted infection (STD) every year. These common infections are spread through oral, vaginal and anal intercourse and, although rare, intimate physical contact. All STDs can be treated with medications and some can be cured completely. Still, they can cause unpleasant symptoms. If left untreated, they can even lead to more serious health problems. Below we have provided a complete list of all STDs with their associated symptoms and treatment options.
Chlamydia
Both men and women can contract chlamydia through sexual activity. Although it is a common STD, it often causes no symptoms. Many people who are infected do not know that they have the disease. Untreated chlamydia can lead to permanent damage to the reproductive system and even infertility, especially in women (although men can also develop infertility).
Symptoms: Most people with chlamydia have no symptoms. For the men and women who do, painful and frequent urination is common. Other symptoms include discharge from the penis or vagina. Men may experience pain and swelling in one or both testicles, and women may experience bleeding between periods or during sex. People can also contract chlamydia in the rectum, leading to anal discharge and bleeding.
Therapy: Chlamydia is caused by a bacterium and can be cured with antibiotics, although the damage already done to the reproductive tract is permanent. Sexual partners should be treated to prevent reinfection
Gonorrhea
Like chlamydia, gonorrhea is often asymptomatic, is caused by bacteria, affects both men and women, is sexually transmitted, and can cause permanent damage to the reproductive system. It can cause infections of the genitals, rectum and throat. According to the CDC, it is especially common among people between the ages of 15 and 24.
Symptoms: Most men and women experience no symptoms with gonorrhea. If they do, symptoms include burning during urination, discharge from the penis or vagina, and anal discharge and bleeding. Women may experience abnormal bleeding between periods or during sex.
Therapy: Treating gonorrhea has become more difficult due to drug-resistant strains, but in most cases antibiotics cure the infection. As with chlamydia, treatment will not reverse any damage to the reproductive tract and partners should be treated to prevent reinfection.
Hepatitis
Hepatitis literally means ‘inflammation of the liver’. In the United States, there are three main types of hepatitis virus: A, B, and C. Hepatitis A virus is present in feces and can therefore be transmitted through rimming, but is otherwise not usually considered an STD. Hepatitis B is often contracted through oral, vaginal and anal sex. Hepatitis C can also be contracted through sexual activity, although this is a less common route of transmission. While hepatitis A almost always goes away on its own, hepatitis B and C often cause chronic infections. Children and young adults are now vaccinated against hepatitis A and B; Unfortunately, there is no vaccine available against hepatitis C.
Symptoms: Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C share symptoms such as fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, joint pain, dark urine, jaundice, pale stools and jaundice. However, many people have no symptoms until they develop liver failure: chronic hepatitis B and C can damage the liver and cause cirrhosis.
Therapy: Most who contract hepatitis B recover completely within a few months with rest, fluids and a healthy diet, but there is no cure. In contrast, antiviral medications can cure more than 90 percent of those who contract hepatitis C. However, any damage to the liver is usually irreversible.
Herpes
Herpes is caused by two different viruses: herpes simplex virus type-1 (which usually causes oral herpes) and herpes simplex virus type-2 (which usually causes genital herpes). However, both virus types can cause both oral and genital herpes. Both men and women are at risk of contracting genital herpes if they have oral, vaginal, or anal sex with an infected partner. Herpes can also be transmitted through intimate contact and kissing. The CDC estimates that more than one in six people between the ages of 14 and 49 have genital herpes. Many have no symptoms, making it easy for them to spread this STD to their sexual partners.
Symptoms: When people develop herpes symptoms, they usually notice blisters and painful sores around their mouth and genitals. These sores can also develop in and around the anus.
Therapy: Currently, there is no cure for herpes, but doctors can prescribe antiviral medications to reduce the chance of outbreaks and reduce transmission of the virus to others.
HIV/AIDS
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is transmitted through anal, vaginal and rarely oral sex. The virus damages T cells, which are part of the immune system, so infected people may not be able to fight the infection. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) refers to the end stage of the infection, when the number of T cells is very low and when rare infections or cancers develop.
Symptoms: Those who contract HIV typically do not have many symptoms. Once infected, they may develop flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue or fever, or a rash. People typically have no symptoms for years until AIDS develops, which takes an average of ten years in people who do not receive treatment. AIDS symptoms can include rapid weight loss, rash, fatigue, fever, chills, and night sweats.
Therapy: There is currently no cure for HIV, but antiretroviral treatment (ART) helps people with HIV/AIDs live long, healthy lives, delaying or even preventing the onset of AIDS while also reducing viral transmission to others .
Infection with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
The CDC reports that HPV is the most common STD in the United States. Sexually active men and women are at risk; HPV spreads through vaginal, anal and oral sex and through intimate contact. In many cases, HPV disappears without intervention. However, several strains of HPV can cause genital warts or various types of cancer in people who don’t clear the virus.
Symptoms: Most people who contract HPV do not develop any symptoms and there is no way to test for it. They may find out they have the STD if they get genital warts. In women, an abnormal Pap smear may show that they are infected with HPV.
Therapy: There is no cure for HPV, but there is a vaccine that can prevent men and women from getting the virus. For people who do become infected, genital warts can be treated, as can pre-cancerous changes in women.
Syphilis
Syphilis is caused by a bacteria and is contracted through oral, vaginal or anal sex. Like chlamydia, syphilis is easy to treat. However, if left untreated, it can lead to serious health complications.
Symptoms: Signs of syphilis vary greatly depending on which of the two The four phases of STD a person is present and some people have no obvious symptoms. The first sign of syphilis is a painless sore, usually on or around the genitals. As syphilis progresses, people may experience a rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. These symptoms may disappear and people may have no symptoms for years. However, without treatment, syphilis can spread and affect the heart, brain and other organs, causing serious permanent damage or even death.
Therapy: Antibiotics will quickly cure syphilis, but will not reverse the damage done. That is why it is extra important to get tested as soon as possible.
Trichomoniasis
This common STD is caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. It is most commonly spread through heterosexual intercourse, although any genital-genital contact can spread the disease. Trichomoniasis makes it easier for people to become infected with HIV or to pass HIV to others.
Symptoms: Women are more likely than men to have symptoms, although most people with trichomoniasis have no symptoms. Both men and women can experience symptoms like those of chlamydia and other STDs, including a burning sensation when urinating. Symptoms specific to women include vaginal discharge and pain with intercourse.
Therapy: Doctors treat trichomoniasis with antibiotics. It is important that all sexual partners receive treatment to prevent them from becoming infected again.
Most STDs cause no symptoms or cause only mild symptoms, so you may not know you have one. Regular testing is important for the sexual health of you and your partners, even if you have no symptoms, and is especially important if you suspect you have an infection. If you want to be screened for STDs or think you have been exposed to them, Priority STD Testing allows you to test accurately and discreetly at a nearby laboratory. Contact us today for more information.