Sexually transmitted diseases

A sexually transmitted disease (STD) is caused by a pathogen, that is, virus, bacterium, parasite
or fungus, that spreads from person to person, primarily through sexual contact.

Important facts
 STDs are usually spread through sexual contact
 They are sometimes called sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
 STDs are often caused by bacteria or a virus
 Risk for contracting an STD can be reduced by practising safe sex.

Common STDs and their symptoms

Chlamydia
Although most people have no symptoms, those who do, may experience abnormal discharge
from the penis or vagina, pain in the testicles and burning with urinating. Long-term irritation
may cause lower abdominal pain, inflammation of the eyes and skin lesions. In women, it can
cause inflammation of the pelvic organs, pelvic inflammatory disease. Chlamydia can be
completely cured.

Genital herpes
Common signs of this STD include small red bumps, blisters or open sores on the penis, vagina
or areas close by. Fever, headaches, muscle aches, pain when urinating, itching, burning, swollen
glands in the genital area and pain in the legs, buttocks or genital area are also common. Women
also experience vaginal discharge. Symptoms may go away and then come back although some
people may have no symptoms. There is no cure.

Gonorrhoea
Pain or burning when urinating, yellowish and sometimes bloody discharge from the penis or
vagina are common, but many men have no symptoms. It can be completely cured.
Hepatitis B
Those who have contracted this STD experience mild fever, head and muscle aches, joint pains,
tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Dark-coloured urine and pale bowel movements,
stomach pain and the skin and whites of eyes turning yellow may also occur. There are
medications available to treat long-lasting (chronic) HBV-infections, but there is no cure for
hepatitis B when it is first contracted.

Genital warts (Human Papillomavirus (HPV))

Genital warts usually first appear as small, hard, painless bumps on the penis, in the vaginal area
or around the anus. They can, sometimes, be hard to see, but if left untreated they can take on a
fleshy, cauliflower-like appearance. Some people have no apparent symptoms. HPV is linked
with a higher risk of cervical cancer in women.

Syphilis
In the first (primary) stage, about 10 days to six weeks after exposure, a painless sore (chancre)
or many sores may appear but they should heal on their own. If not treated, the infection spreads
to the next stage. The secondary stage involves a skin rash that usually does not itch and clears
on its own. Fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss,
muscle aches and tiredness may also be experienced.

In the latent (hidden) stage, symptoms disappear, but infection remains in body and can damage
the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones and joints. The late stage can see an
inability to coordinate muscle movements, paralysis, numbness, gradual blindness, dementia and,
possibly, death.While syphilis can be completely cured, it can be caught again, especially if both
sex partners aren't treated.

HIV
Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) interferes with your body's ability to
effectively fight off viruses, bacteria and fungi that cause disease, and it can lead to AIDS, a
chronic, life-threatening disease.
When first infected with HIV, you may have no symptoms at all. Some people develop a flu-like
illness, usually two to six weeks after being infected. Early HIV symptoms may include:
 Fever
 Headache
 Fatigue
 Swollen lymph glands
 Rashes

These early symptoms usually disappear within a week to a month and are often mistaken for
those of another viral infection. During this period, you are very infectious. More persistent or
severe symptoms of HIV infection may not appear for 10 years or more after the initial infection.
As the virus continues to multiply and destroy immune cells, you may develop mild infections or
chronic symptoms such as:
 Swollen lymph nodes - often one of the first signs of HIV infection
 Diarrhoea
 Weight loss
 Fever
 Cough and shortness of breath

Signs and symptoms of later stage HIV

 Persistent, unexplained fatigue
 Soaking night sweats or Shaking chills or fever higher than 100° F for several weeks
 Swelling of lymph nodes for more than three months
 Chronic diarrhoea
 Persistent headaches

There is no cure. Treatment includes taking medicines to stop the virus from replicating or
making copies of itself.
Prevention
The only sure way to avoid becoming infected with an STD is by practising monogamy with an
uninfected partner. It is important for partners to discuss their sexual and STD history before
having sex and to consider getting tested.
The following behaviours and conditions can increase the risk of STDs:
 Engaging in sexual activity when either partner has unhealed lesions
 Enema or rectal douching before rectal intercourse
 Rectal or vaginal irritation or infection
 Sexual activity that may damage the mucosal lining of the vagina or rectum
 Tampon use. Tampons can cause vaginal dryness and cellular abnormalities. Sanitary
napkins, either disposable or washable cotton pads, are recommended.
 Vaginal dryness
 Sexual activity at a young age. The younger a person starts having sex, the greater his or
her chances of becoming infected with an STD.
 Lots of sex partners. People who have sexual contact - not just intercourse but any form
of intimate activity - with many different partners are more at-risk than those who stay with the
same partner.
 Unprotected sex. Latex condoms are the only form of birth control that reduce your risk
of getting an STD. Spermicides, diaphragms and other birth-control methods may help prevent
pregnancy, but they don't protect a person against STDs.