sexually transmitted diseases. STDs are also known as venereal diseases. The most frequently diagnosed of them are: genital herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydiosis, and genital warts. Bacterial and viral diseases give their characteristic symptoms – discharge, burning, itching, lumps, blisters, vaginal bleeding. Their recognition is a key element in determining the therapy. Treatment of venereal diseases on your own is always doomed to failure.
In this article, Niketrainers.com.co will tell you:
Which diseases are sexually transmitted?
Sexually transmitted diseases, often referred to assexually transmitted diseases(STDs), are still a big problem. A long-standing taboo onsexual initiation, as well as the dangers of sexual contact, has led to the spread of sexually transmitted infections. Nowadays, awareness of the risk is growing. However, this does not mean that the possibility of infection does not exist.
Diseases of various etiologies are transmitted through sexual contact. The most common and dangerousdiseases are caused by viruses:
- HIV– human immunodeficiency virus;
- HCV –hepatitis Cvirus ;
- HPV– human papillomavirus – the cause of a disease calledgenital warts, it is also responsible for the developmentof cervical cancer;
- HSV-2 – causesherpes on the genitals.
The bacteria that cause sexually transmitted diseases:
- pale spirochete (LatinTreponema pallidum) – the cause ofsyphilis;
- gonorrhea (LatinNeisseria gonorrhoeae)– the cause of gonorrhea;
- Chlamydia trachomatis– the cause ofchlamydiosis;
- Haemophilus ducreyi– causes soft venereal ulcer.
The most commonparasites that cause sexually transmitted diseases are thevaginal trichomonas(LatinTrichomonas vaginalis) and thepubic louse.MushroomsincludeCandidaalbicans. _
Venereal diseases – when is there a risk of infection?
People who start sexual intercourse should remember thatvaginal, penile and anal secretions may contain various etiological factors (bacteria, viruses, protozoa) causing venereal diseases. Few partners remember thatoraloranal sexalso does not protect against infection.
Depending on the methods of sexual contact,the symptoms of sexually transmitted diseasescan appear in different parts of the body, not just around the perineum.
A very important and proven risk of infections ishomosexual contact, because due to the lack of the possibility of pregnancy, the partners do not care about protection, and thus about their health.Sexually transmitted diseasesare considered more common in people:
- with low socio-economic status,
- young (15-24 years old),
- lonely,
- frequently changing sexual partners,
- living in large urban agglomerations,
- using different sexual techniques (anal sex, fisting and others, in which the risk of damaging the mucous membranes is increased).
Symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases
Depending on the underlying cause,the symptoms of an STIcan be very different. It should be remembered that these are not only local symptoms, located in the genitourinary area, but can also affect the entire body, e.g. generalized rash,enlargement of lymph nodesin places other than the groin, skin change at the site of bacterial entry (syphilis).
- HIV– infection with the virus is usually asymptomatic in the initial period (up to 10 years) or there are non-specific symptoms that do not arouse concern about the entry of the virus into the body (the so-called flu-like symptoms –fever,muscle and joint pain, discrete enlargement of the lymph nodes,drowsinessandhyperhidrosis). Only a few years after the infection, more disturbing symptoms of a significantdecrease in immunityin the form of indicator diseases appear – some forms of cancer, opportunistic infections (indicating the destruction of the immune system), cachexia.
- HPV– the most characteristic of papillomavirus infection are genital warts, caused by HPV subtype 6 and 11. These lesions, located in the genital area, aresoft, cauliflower-shaped, pedunculated warts on the genitals, which can be quite large. Long-term asymptomatic papillomavirus infection is a risk factor for many cancers, includingcancer of the cervix,anus,vulvaandvagina.
- HSV-2– genital herpes is mainly skin lesions in the formof blistersfilled with serous discharge, located around the perineum (penis, labia, clitoris, vaginal vestibule). Over time, the blisters burst, leaving behind painful sores. In addition, there are symptoms of infection such as fever, apathy, malaise, and women may experiencevaginal discharge.
- Syphilis– early syphilis, i.e. a period of up to 2 years after infection, manifests itself in the so-called early lesion (a lump that forms on the skin at the site where bacteria penetrate) and enlargement of the lymph nodes in its vicinity. There is also a characteristic syphilitic rash (rash) and genital lesions called squamous condylomas. Late syphilis is very rare nowadays.
- Gonorrhea– depending on the sex, the symptoms vary: in women it is purulent, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, pain during micturition, and vaginal bleeding. Men complain of purulent discharge from the urethra and pain when urinating. The greatest danger, however, is infertility caused by long-term latent infection.
- Chlamydiosis– as in the case of gonorrhea, it causes burning at the moment of voiding, vaginal discharge in women and penile discharge in men, as well as pain in the lower abdomen, testicles,dyspareunia.
- Mycosis of the urogenital area– caused byCandida albicans, is a very common infection of the intimate area. In men, it is usually asymptomatic, and women complain of itching around the labia and vagina, as well as white, cheese-like discharge.
Venereal diseases – what tests should be performed?
In the case of diseases that do not produce any symptoms in the initial stages, diagnosis is usually overlooked, and the infection carries the risk of many complications, including the development of cancer and infertility.
Most local infections can be diagnosed by means of swabs and culture on special media. For this purpose, a smear from the area of thevagina, vulva,anusand foreskin is performed.
In addition to microscopic examination, most infections can be detectedby serological methods, from a blood or urine sample. Characteristic symptoms, such as the presence of condylomas and a detailed medical history, are helpful in making the diagnosis. It is always absolutely necessary to visit a dermatologist-venereologist.
Treatment of sexually transmitted diseases
Treatment of venereal diseases on your own is always doomed to failure. Just like the symptoms and ailments causedby sexually transmitted infections, the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases is very different.
In some cases, especially in bacterial and fungal infections, causal treatment can be used, thus combating the etiological factor of the infection.
Penicillinis the best antibiotic for bacterial infections, and resistance to its effects is still very low. Usually, yeasts require antifungal drug therapy. The first-line drug in this case is ketoconazole or fluconazole.
Unfortunately, viral infectionsremain a bigger problem , treatment of which usually involves the use of symptomatic medications and symptomatic relief.
It is different in the caseof HIV infection, the treatment of which is currently developing very much and new methods of fighting this disease are being developed.
Treatment of skin lesions, such as genital warts, in addition to topical treatment with ointments, is a field for surgeons who are able to remove most of the lesions using a scalpel. However, it is not a completely healing method, but only improving the patient’s quality of life.
How to prevent venereal diseases?
The best method of preventing infection and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases in men and women is the use of condoms.This is especially important if we do not have a permanent partner and are not sure of his past.
For some infections, such as ringworm, it is very important to treat both the symptomatic person and their partner.
Asymptomatic yeast infection in men is the most common cause of this problem in women. It should also be remembered that not all diseases can be avoided by using condoms – pubic lice or scabies can spread despite this protection.