Gonorrhea is a common bacterial STD. It is treated with antibiotics and can be cured. However, if left untreated it could cause serious health problems like PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) and/or infertility (inability to get pregnant or inability to produce sperm). Although it is possible to lack symptoms whatsoever, some symptoms include:
Yellowish, greenish, or whitish vaginal or penile discharge
Painful or frequent urination (burning)
Painful intercourse
Itching or soreness in the genitals
Painful or swollen testicles
Often, no symptoms appear
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a common STD and is treated with antibiotics and can be cured. However, if left untreated, it could cause serious health problems like PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) and/or infertility (inability to get pregnant or inability to produce sperm).
Symptoms for Chlamydia include:
Penile discharge
Painful or frequent urination
Painful intercourse
Itching or soreness in the genitals
Often, no symptoms appear
Syphilis
Syphilis is a well-known bacterial STD that is treated with antibiotics. There are three stages:
Stage one:
Painless, red sores in and around the genitals, which are called chancres
Swollen lymph nodes
Stage two:
Skin rash, which often appears on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet
Stage three:
Heart, nervous system, and other internal organs may be affected
Without treatment, the symptoms may go away. However, the disease remains in the body and may cause severe health problems, even death.
Trichomonas
Trichomonas is a highly contagious STD for both men and women. Although you may be asymptomatic (meaning no symptoms are present), it is often associated with the following symptoms:
Greenish-yellow discharge that may have a foul smell
Patchy rash in the genital area
Irritation and soreness in the genital area and thighs
Painful intercourse and urination
Trichomonas is treated with antibiotics. It is important that if you are diagnosed with Trichomonas that your partner is also treated at the same time. It is strongly recommended that you abstain from intercourse during treatment.
Genital Herpes
Genital Herpes has become one of the most common STDs in the country. It is spread by skin to skin contact during sexual intercourse. Symptoms of genital herpes usually occur within 2 to 10 days of sexual contact and can last for up to 2 to 3 weeks. These symptoms may include:
Tingling, burning, or itching in the genital area
Small painful blisters on the genitals and/or buttocks
Headache, fever, malaise
Burning or stinging during urination
There is no known cure for genital herpes. However, there are medications that can make the outbreaks less severe and less frequent.
Genital Warts
Genital Warts are caused by HPV, which stands for Human Papillomavirus and is spread from person to person through direct vaginal, anal, or oral contact.
Symptoms of Genital Warts:
Painless, fleshy, cauliflower-like growths that grow singly or in groups
Genital warts may be found on the external genitals, but may also appear in the vagina where they are less visible and less easily detected.
There is no cure for genital warts. They can be removed, but they often come back. Removal includes surgical methods or topical chemical treatment including TCA.
Hepatitis B (HBV)
Hepatitis B is a viral and potentially deadly STD. It can be transmitted through sexual contact or contact with blood, semen, and vaginal fluids. Hepatitis B is more common and more transmissible than HIV.
Symptoms include:
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes)
Fatigue (feeling tired)
Pain in the abdomen
Nausea
Vomiting
Unfortunately, there is no cure for Hepatitis B. This infection is very serious and it can cause chronic hepatitis, severe liver damage, liver cancer, and even death. However, it can be prevented through a series of vaccinations. These vaccinations are recommended for people with multiple sex partners, people who have been diagnosed with a STD, users of illegal drugs, people traveling to certain foreign countries, and health care workers.
Hepatitis C (HCV)
Hepatitis C is a disease of the liver caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). You may be at risk for Hepatitis C if you:
Were notified that you received blood from a donor who later tested positive for hepatitis C
Have ever injected illegal drugs, even if it was many years ago
Received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before July 1992
Were a recipient of a clotting factor made before 1987
Have ever been on long-term kidney dialysis
Have evidence of liver disease (e.g., persistently abnormal ALT levels in the blood)
PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease)
PID is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Gonorrhea and Chlamydia, either alone or together, are common causes of PID. This disease is one of the major causes of infertility, ectopic pregnancy (meaning the pregnancy occurs outside of the uterus), and chronic pelvic pain.
Symptoms of PID:
Lower abdominal pain and discomfort
Fever
Vaginal discharge
Abnormal vaginal bleeding
Nausea
Vomiting
PID should be treated immediately with antibiotics. When the condition is severe, a woman with PID may be hospitalized.
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) and is one of the deadliest of all STDs. This virus can be passed from person to person through contact with bodily fluids, usually semen or blood.
On the average, it can take up to 10 years for HIV to progress to AIDS.
Symptoms of HIV:
Loss of appetite and weight loss
Extreme fatigue
Swollen lymph nodes (lumps in armpits, neck, groin)
Fever
Pneumonia
Severe outbreaks of herpes
Cancer of the lymph nodes or immune system
The HIV virus kills the cells of the immune system, which reduces a person's defense against opportunistic infections, such a pneumonia.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for HIV or AIDS and it is almost always fatal. However, there are treatments available that can help slow the deterioration of the immune system.
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