A sexually transmitted disease is something you get from another person by either vaginal, oral, or anal sex. There are many different kinds of STDs. Some can be spread just by skin to skin contact. Some are viruses and some are bacteria. Some can be cured and other can just be treated.
The most common are: Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, HPV, Syphilis, Herpes, HIV and Hepatitis B.
Gonorrhea and Chlamydia are both bacterial infections that are transmitted by bodily fluids during sex. Their symptoms are fairly similar, and if you are diagnosed with one, you may also have the other. Therefore, the two are often tested for and treated together.
Testing
Sexually active women 24 years and younger should be screened for gonorrhea and chlamydia at least once.
Sexually active women 25 years and older should be screened for gonorrhea and chlamydia if they have increased risk factors. Your provider can help you understand what your risk might be.
Symptoms
Symptoms include:
Treatment
The treatment for both infections is antibiotics. Your provider will choose an antibiotic based on what your infection is resistant and sensitive to. It is critical that you and your partner complete the full course of treatment to prevent reinfection and antibiotic resistance.
Herpes is a viral infection cause by contracted by skin-to-skin contact with an active lesion.
Testing
Testing for Herpes is not recommended unless you provider sees signs of a possible infection, or you know you were exposed to an infection by your partner.
Symptoms
The only symptom of Herpes is seeing exposed sores on the skin.
Treatment
There is no cure for herpes, but outbreaks can be prevented or shortened by taking medications called antiretrovirals.
Human Papilloma Virus is a common viral infection, sometimes called the “common cold of STDs.”
Testing
The pap smear is a test that looks for changes in the cervix caused by HPV. “Cotesting” is a combined test that looks for changes in the cervix and also tests for the HPV DNA.
Symptoms
HPV doesn’t have symptoms, except for the strand of HPV that causes genital warts. Genital warts are small, painless growths on the genitals.
Treatment
There is no cure for HPV, but many people will clear the virus within a year. Those that don’t are at increased risk for cervical cancer – so it is very important that you stay current with you recommended screenings.
Prevention with HPV vaccine is key. Girls and Boys should be vaccinated starting at age 11. If you were not vaccinated when you were younger, adults ages 26 – 45 can still be vaccinated.
Syphilis is a bacterial infection. It was on the decline, but it has become more and more common in the last few years.
Testing
Testing isn’t recommended unless:
Symptoms
Syphilis has different symptoms depending on how far along the infection is.
Treatment
When caught early, Syphilis can be easily treated with antibiotics, but due to antibiotic resistance, every individual’s infection must be checked for individual drug sensitivities. Later stages of syphilis are more difficult to treat, so early detection is key.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus is one of the most dangerous of STDs if untreated. HIV is transmitted through bodily fluids.
Testing
Everyone between 13 – 64 years old should be tested at least once. Those with increased risk factors should be tested at least yearly. Risk factors include:
Treatment
Unfortunately, despite great medical advances there is no cure for HIV. Condoms are the best preventative measure.
If you have any increased risk factors for HIV, you can decrease you risk of getting it by taking medication called Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).
Talk with your provider. Some patients may need to be tested more frequently based on their lifestyle and risk factors.
Yes. Your partners may not have any symptoms yet, but anyone exposed should be treated as soon as possible to prevent health complications or other infections.