Contents

 Introduction
 Symptoms
 Causes
 Gonorrhoea
 HIV
 Chlamydia
 Genital Warts
 Syphilis
 Hepatitis
 Trichomoniasis
 Herpes
 Prevention
 Introduction

Overview
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) — or sexually
transmitted infections (STIs) — are generally acquired by
sexual contact. The organisms (bacteria, viruses or parasites)
that cause sexually transmitted diseases may pass from person
to person in blood, semen, or vaginal and other bodily fluids.

Sometimes these infections can be transmitted nonsexually,

such as from mother to infant during pregnancy or childbirth,
or through blood transfusions or shared needles.

STDs don't always cause symptoms. It's possible to contract

sexually transmitted diseases from people who seem perfectly
healthy and may not even know they have an infection.

Symptoms
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted
infections (STIs) can have a range of signs and symptoms,
including no symptoms. That's why they may go unnoticed
until complications occur or a partner is diagnosed. Signs and
symptoms that might indicate an STI include:

 Sores or bumps on the genitals or in the oral or rectal area

 Painful or burning urination

 Discharge from the penis

 Unusual or odd-smelling vaginal discharge

 Unusual vaginal bleeding

 Pain during sex

 Sore, swollen lymph nodes, particularly in the groin but sometimes

more widespread
  Lower abdominal pain

 Fever

 Rash over the trunk, hands or feet

Signs and symptoms may appear a few days after exposure, or

it may take years before you have any noticeable problems,
depending on the organism.

Causes
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted
infections (STIs) can be caused by:

 Bacteria (gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia)

 Parasites (trichomoniasis)
 Viruses (human papillomavirus, genital herpes, HIV)
Sexual activity plays a role in spreading many other kinds of
infections, although it's possible to be infected without sexual
contact. Examples include the hepatitis A, B and C viruses,
shigella, and Giardia intestinalis.
 Gonorrhoea
What is it?
It is a condition caused by a virus that thrives in the warm,
moist areas such as the vagina, cervix, urethra, rectum and
the throat.
How is it spread?
It is transmitted through unprotected anal, vaginal or oral sex.
It can even spread from sharing sex toys that are not washed
after use.
What are the symptoms?
In women:
- A heavy and unusual vaginal discharge that is thin and
yellowish or greenish in colour
- Pain while urinating
- An infection in the rectum or eyes
- Throat infection
- Lower abdominal pain or tenderness
- Heavier periods or bleeding between two cycles
In men:
- Greenish, whitish or yellowish discharge from the penis
- Pain while urinating
- Infection in the rectum or the eyes
- Throat infection
- Testicle pain or tenderness
- Inflammation in the foreskin
How can I get rid of it?
The doctor can carry out a few tests before prescribing
treatment. When caught early, it can be cured with a course of
antibiotics. Get your partner also treated to avoid recurrence.
Use a condom to reduce chances of contracting it.
 
 HIV
 What is it?
HIV is a deadly virus that attacks the human immune system.
Once it takes up residence inside the immune system, it
becomes a permanent condition.
How is it spread?
The virus cannot survive for long outside the body, especially
when exposed to strong light or high temperature.
It can only be passed by the exchange of bodily fluids with an
infected person:
- Via sperm or vaginal fluids when having unprotected peno-
vaginal, peno-anal or oral sex. It can also be transmitted by
sharing sex toys with an infected person
- It can be transmitted through blood transfusion received from
an infected person, or sharing used needles
- Via breast milk to the new-born child when the mother carries
the virus. The infected mother can also pass on the virus to her
child during pregnancy
- No evidence supports that the virus can be transmitted by
sharing toilet seats, the same crockery and cutlery, French
kissing or swimming pools
How can I get rid of it?
Only an HIV test can tell if you or another person has the virus.
The virus takes up to three months to show up after infection,
so tests taken immediately after sex may not be conclusive.
Some people carry the virus for years and not fall ill or look
unhealthy, but others are felled by it much sooner.
The HIV virus attacks the body’s T cells in the bloodstream. As
the number of T cells reduce, the immune system becomes
weaker and falls prey to the dreaded AIDS (acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome). This is a fatal disease.
Use a condom to reduce your chances of getting HIV.
 
 Chlamydia
What is it?
Chlamydia affects both men and women.
It can have serious implications for women – once transmitted
to them, it can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID),
which results in infertility and may cause difficulty in having
children.
How is it spread?
It spreads through unprotected sex with an infected person.
Most people who contract may not even know it, because it
does not exhibit any symptoms in 70 to 80% people.
What are the symptoms?
- Frequent urination and a burning sensation while passing
urine.
- For men, a thin, cloudy discharge oozes out from the penis,
mainly seen first thing in the morning. It is different than
semen. Men may also notice painful, slightly swollen testicles.
- An abnormal, heavy discharge from the vagina, anus or
urethra.
- Many people carry the infection without noticing any
symptoms.
- Infected women may bleed between their periods or during
sex.
How can I get rid of it?
Normally, a course of antibiotics prescribed by the doctor can
cure it.
Use a condom to reduce your chances of getting it.
 

Genital Warts
What is it?
Genital warts are caused by the HPV virus. These warts are
seen on the pubic area, particularly the vagina, cervix, vulva,
penis, anus, rectum or urethra.
How is it spread?
It is spread during unprotected sex, or by skin contact with the
infected areas.
Women infected by HPV must seek immediate intervention
from a doctor because the virus may lead to pre-cancerous
cells in the cervix. Some types of HPV may lead to cervical
cancer.
Regular smear tests help in detecting the virus and this can
prevent the cervical cancer from developing.
What are the symptoms?
Most people do not develop visible warts. In many cases, the
virus subsides on its own.
People who develop warts notice fleshy growths on the skin,
accompanied by a burning sensation or itching in the genital
area.
How can I get rid of it?
It may take a while to get rid of them, though treatment is
simple.
There are a variety of treatments available such as:
- Laser treatment
- Freezing
- Surgery
- Prescriptive drugs – creams or liquids
Use a condom to reduce the chances of getting it.
*HPV does not pass through a condom. However, a condom
does not protect the entire genital area, so some possibility of
skin infection despite wearing a condom persists.
 
 Syphilis
What is it?
It is an organism that infects the blood and other bodily fluids.
If not treated in the early stages, it can progress into a serious
disease.
How is it spread?
It spreads via unprotected sex or by sharing sex toys with an
infected person. It also spreads by direct skin contact with a
person suffering from syphilis sores or rash.
What are the symptoms?
There are three stages of infection:
First Stage – a couple of sores appear on the vagina or penis,
or sometimes in the mouth and anus. These sores are seen
about two weeks after infection. They last for about six weeks
and are very infectious.
Second Stage - A rash appears on the body within two to six
months of the infection.
Flu-like symptoms (fever, headache and sore throat) are
experienced.
Flat, warty growths appear on the vulva in women, and around
the anus in both sexes. They may not be noticeable, however.
If not treated:
Third Stage – The heart, brain and other vital organs may be
permanently damaged, leading to a fatality.
The final stage is quite rare and is seen only after many years
have elapsed since the first infection, and when the condition
has not been treated.
How can I get rid of it?
Antibiotics are prescribed to clear the infection. It is necessary
that both partners get treatment so as to avoid a recurrence.
Use a condom to reduce the chances of getting it.
 
 Hepatitis
What is it?
Hepatitis is a condition resulting in the inflammation of the
liver. It is seen in many forms. The type of hepatitis one gets
depends on the duration of the illness and how resistant the
virus is.
How is it spread?
It is transmitted via unprotected sex with an infected person. It
can also spread by contact with infected blood, bodily fluids or
through the faecal-oral route.
What are the symptoms?
Some people may carry the infection for years but exhibit no
symptoms but still carry the virus. This results in them
infecting others.
Hepatitis B takes between six and 23 weeks to settle after the
first infection.
The main symptoms connected with hepatitis are:
- Jaundice – it makes the skin look yellowish
- Abdominal pain or discomfort, vomiting, high fever, nausea
- Flu-like symptoms, cough, sore throat
- Dark, smelly urine and pale stools
How can I get rid of it?
Some forms of hepatitis are treatable, and the treatment varies
as per the type of hepatitis.
Doctors specialising in liver and digestive problems can treat
the condition. The treatment takes several months, depending
on the severity of the infection. Since it is so easy to spread to
others, infected persons are advised to practice safe sex.
Use a condom to reduce your chances of getting it.
 
 Trichomoniasis
What is it?
Trichomoniasis or TV is an infection caused by a parasite found
in the vagina and men’s urethra.
How is it spread?
It spreads via unprotected sex with an infected person.
What are the symptoms?
This infection affects more women than men. Women tend to
pass the disease through sexual contact or by sharing sex toys
and not washing them after use.
At least half of men and women infected by it will not show any
symptoms. The symptoms usually start showing up within a
month of contracting the disease.
The main symptoms are:
- Thin and yellowish or greenish vaginal discharge, with a fishy
smell
- A sore or itchy vagina
- Pain or discomfort when urinating
- Soreness in the penis or unusual discharge
How can I get rid of it?
A course of antibiotics rids the body of the parasite. Avoid
sexual contact until the treatment is complete.
Use a condom to reduce your chances of getting it.
 

Herpes
 What is it?
It is a viral infection that attacks the nervous system in
humans. It belongs to the same family of viruses as chicken
pox, shingles and glandular fever.
Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus.
There are two types of the virus. Type I often causes cold sores
around the mouth and nose. Meanwhile, Type II causes sores
in the genital and anal area. These can also transfer to the
mouth.
Herpes lurks in the central nervous system and so it breaks out
when one is unwell or stressed out.
How is it spread?
Genital herpes can pass between the genital area and mouth
through:
- Oral, vaginal or anal sex with an infected partner when they
are infected with herpes
- Coming in contact with a partner's infected
mouth/vagina/penis/anus then touching your mouth/genitals.
It also spreads through sharing infected sex toys.
What are the symptoms?
Many people do not show any signs or symptoms of the
disease
It strikes both men and women, and show one or more of
these symptoms:
- Stinging, soreness, itching or tingling in the genital or anal
area
- Ulcers, soft boils or blisters on the cervix and vaginal
discharge
- Pain during urination
How can I get rid of it?
There is no cure for this virus.
But regular treatment can help control further outbreaks.
Use a condom to reduce your chances of getting it.
 
Prevention
There are several ways to avoid or reduce your risk of sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections
(STIs).

 Abstain. The most effective way to avoid STIs is to not

have (abstain from) sex.
 Stay with one uninfected partner. Another reliable
way of avoiding STIs is to stay in a long-term mutually
monogamous relationship in which both people have sex
only with each other and neither partner is infected.
 Wait and test. Avoid vaginal and anal intercourse with
new partners until you have both been tested for STIs. Oral
sex is less risky, but use a latex condom or dental dam to
prevent direct (skin-to-skin) contact between the oral and
genital mucous membranes.
 Get vaccinated. Getting vaccinated early, before sexual
exposure, is also effective in preventing certain types
of STIs. Vaccines are available to prevent human
papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
recommends the HPV vaccine for girls and boys ages 11
and 12. If not fully vaccinated at ages 11 and 12,
the CDC recommends that girls and women through age 26
and boys and men through age 26 receive the vaccine.
The hepatitis B vaccine is usually given to newborns, and
the hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for 1-year-olds.
Both vaccines are recommended for people who aren't
already immune to these diseases and for those who are at
increased risk of infection, such as men who have sex with
men and IV drug users.
 Use condoms and dental dams consistently and
correctly. Use a new latex condom or dental dam for each
sex act, whether oral, vaginal or anal. Never use an oil-
based lubricant, such as petroleum jelly, with a latex
condom or dental dam.
Condoms made from natural membranes are not
recommended because they're not as effective at
preventing STIs. Keep in mind that while condoms reduce
your risk of exposure to most STIs, they provide less
protection for STIs involving exposed genital sores, such
as HPV or herpes. Also, nonbarrier forms of contraception,
 such as birth control pills (oral contraceptives) or
intrauterine devices (IUDs), don't protect against STIs.

 Don't drink alcohol excessively or use drugs. If

you're under the influence, you're more likely to take
sexual risks.
 Communicate. Before any serious sexual contact,
communicate with your partner about practicing safer sex.
Be sure you specifically agree on what activities will and
won't be OK