STD, It Could Happen To You

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) are infections that can be transferred from one person to another, irregardless of gender, through sex or any form of sexual contact. Some diseases are curable by antibiotics, while some remain to have no cure at all, such as AIDS and herpes. Both diseases, including syphilis, hepatitis, and others, are found to be causes of death among many of those who are infected. Many of these diseases are also found to result to other conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease and cervical cancer. Described below are some sexually transmitted diseases and their symptoms.

Chlamydia – Chlamydia is known to be one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. It is a bacterial type of infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, a bacterial strain that is found in vaginal fluids and semen. Symptoms include painful urination and abnormal genital discharge, for men and women alike. Lower abdominal pain and pain during intercourse may also be evident among women. On the other hand, men may experience some swelling and pain in the testicles and inflammation of the rectum.

Hepatitis B – This disease is caused by the Hepatitis B virus, which attacks the liver and may cause chronic illness and even death. It can be transmitted orally and even through contaminated syringe needles and blood through transfusions. Symptoms include yellowing of the skin like that of jaundice, abdominal pain, tea-colored urine, nausea, diarrhea, headaches, fever, fatigue, and muscular pains. Because of these common symptoms, one cannot point out at once if they have been infected. Some people initially think that they have only caught flu, while nsome aren’t even aware at all. About 1% of those affected by this disease undergo through a condition where they would experience extreme side effects, known as fulminant hepatitis, which requires immediate medical attention.

AIDS – Also known as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, is caused by the virus commonly known as HIV or the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This virus causes a weakening in the immune system of the affected person, thus making him more susceptible to diseases, which later on, causes death. Some show no signs of being infected with HIV, but others show flu-like symptoms such as fever, enlarged lymph nodes, headaches, and fatigue. These symptoms usually disappear within a short period of time, but the virus may remain dormant within the affected person’s system for years, attacking more T4 cells in the body.

Syphilis – The bacteria Treponoma pallidum is responsible for this disease. Initially, “chancres” or painless sores may appear on any part of the body (usually the genitals, lips, tongue, etc.). Chancres usually disappear within a few weeks but if left untreated, it may proceed to chronic stages. The secondary stage of infection is mainly characterized by a syphilis rash: an infectious, brown skin rash that typically occurs at the palms and bottom of the feet. Other symptoms include swollen glands, sore throat fever and hair loss. As for the third stage of infection, this stage can las for many years, and may cause the infected person to suffer bone damage, blindness and numbness in the extremities.