STDs and Infections

Medical Service Name – STDs and Infections

STD is transmitted during sexual contact with a person already suffering from STD – primarily through anal, oral, or vaginal sex. Thus, the name is sexually transmitted, as the infection spreads primarily through semen or vaginal fluids. It can, however, be transmitted through blood transfusions, sharing needles, and nursing.

Some infections can occasionally spread through other intimate physical contacts. This is because some STDs, such as herpes and HPV, are transferred through skin-to-skin contact. The other common names of STDs are STI or sexually transmitted infection and VD or Venereal disease. 

Types of STDs

There are about twenty types of STDs. The common ones:

• Chlamydia is a bacterial contagion, caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. It affects the rectum and throat of both men and women. It also affects the cervix of women and the urethra in men.
• Genital Herpes is spread by the Herpes simplex virus and affects men and women’s thighs, buttocks, and genital parts. This infection can be passed onto newborns by their mothers. 
• Gonorrhea is an STD caused by bacteria and is mostly sexually transmitted. It can lead to PID in women and men, pain during urinating, and discharge from the penis. 
• HPV or Human papillomavirus is an infection spread by a virus causing warts on different body parts. It is a disease that spreads sexually and has skin-to-skin contact. 
• Pubic Lice is a lice infestation in the genital areas of human beings. Since these lice cannot fly, they crawl and therefore can spread via sexual contact.
• Trichomoniasis is a parasitic STD passed during sex from one person to another. In women, it can lead to vaginitis.
• Syphilis is caused by bacteria that infect parts like the lips and mouth of a person. It also infects the anus and genital parts and begins as a painless sore.
• HIV/AIDS – HIV is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus that attacks the immune system, killing white blood cells. It can lead to severe diseases like cancers and can be fatal. AIDS refers to the first stage of HIV infection.

Possible Causes

STDs or Sexually Transmitted diseases are infections caused by micro-organisms like viruses, parasites, and bacteria. STDs are not just spread through vaginal and anal intercourse. It can also be contracted or transmitted during oral sex. In other words, STDs can spread from one person’s genitals to another’s mouth or throat, and vice versa.

Risk Factors

• HIV can weaken the immune system, increasing the chance of getting other viruses or bacteria as well as developing some malignancies. If untreated, it can progress to stage 3 HIV, often known as AIDS. However, with today’s medication, many HIV-positive persons never get AIDS.
• If neglected, gonorrhea can cause infections of the urethra, prostate gland, and testicles. It may potentially result in pelvic inflammatory illness or infertility.

Signs and Symptoms

Each of these STD types has its own set of symptoms. The generic symptoms are as follows:

• Fever
• Pain in the abdominal region
• Itchiness at the anal and/or genital region.
• Frequent urinating accompanied by pain.
• Redness or soreness in the anal and/or genital region.
• Warts on the genital area
• Unusual vaginal odor
• Abnormal discharge from the genital parts
• Blisters around the lips and mouth.

Diagnosis

Even if you don’t have symptoms, our healthcare professional may prescribe STD testing based on your sexual history. This is because, in many situations, STDs do not generate apparent signs. However, even symptom-free STDs can cause harm or be transmitted to others.

There are different tests for different STD types and are covered under STD Screening tests. However, STD screening is not usually a part of routine tests. Hence, individuals need to request these tests proactively. Some of these are:

• Pap smear for HIV
• Blood Test for Syphilis and Herpes.
• Swab and urine tests for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea
• Oral swab and blood test for HIV/AIDS
• Vaginal Swab and Urine tests for Trichomoniasis 

Our doctors will advise medication like antibiotics and antiviral drugs to treat the infection based on test reports. Besides, our doctors recommend confiding in your partners to restrict the spread of the disease.

Treatment Options at 7DMC

The recommended treatments for STDs at 7DMC differs based on the kind of STD. Before you resume sexual activity, it’s critical that you and your sexual partner receive effective STD treatment. Otherwise, you risk infecting each other.

STDs caused by bacteria can be treated with Antibiotics. STDs caused by viruses ar not curable by antibiotics. While the majority of viral infections are incurable, some can be self-healed. In many situations, there are therapeutic options available to alleviate symptoms and limit the risk of transmission.

Some STDs are not caused by viruses or bacteria. Other tiny creatures instead cause them. These sexually transmitted infections are often curable with oral or topical medicines.