Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

November 18, 2013

3 minutes read

Sexually transmitted Diseases are diseases acquired by sexual contact. They can be acquired by having sexual intercourse either vaginally , rectally and in some cases even by mouth .

Organisms that cause STDs can be transmitted through semen , vaginal fluids , blood , other body fluids . Some can also be transmitted non sexually eg mother to child , blood transfusion , shared needles as is the case with HIV .

It’s possible to contract sexually transmitted diseases from people who seem perfectly healthy — people who, in fact, aren’t even aware of being infected.

Causes

Sexually transmitted diseases can be caused by:

Bacteria (gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia)
Parasites (trichomoniasis)
Viruses (human papillomavirus, genital herpes, HIV)

Symptoms

STDs can be asymptomatic – even though you are not symptomatic you can still pass on the disease to your partner .

Sores or bumps on the genitals or in the oral or rectal area
Genital warts
Painful or burning urination
Discharge from the penis
Vaginal discharge
Unusual vaginal bleeding
Sore, swollen lymph nodes, particularly in the groin but sometimes more widespread
Lower abdominal pain
Rash over the trunk, hands or feet

Signs and symptoms may appear a few days to years after exposure, depending on the organism. They may resolve in a few weeks, even without treatment, but progression with later complications or recurrence sometimes occurs.

HIV is an 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 signs and symptoms
Early HIV signs and symptoms may include:

Fever
Headache
Sore throat
Swollen lymph glands
Rash

Risk Factors for contracting STDs

Having unprotected sex / not using condom at all , not using condoms consistently and properly
Having sexual contact with multiple partners.
Having a history of STIs – If untreated, STDs can increase your risk of acquiring another STD such as HIV. This happens because an STD can stimulate an immune response in the genital area or cause sores, either of which might make HIV transmission more likely .Also, it’s possible to be reinfected by the same infected partner if he or she isn’t also treated.
Abusing alcohol or using recreational drugs.
Injecting drugs
Being an adolescent female.
Transmission from mother to infant during pregnancy or delivery – eg HIV , gonorrhea , syphilis

Complications of STDs include :

Sores or bumps anywhere on the body
Recurrent genital sores
Generalized skin rash
Pain during intercourse
Scrotal pain, redness and swelling
Pelvic pain
Groin abscess
Eye inflammation
Arthritis
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Infertility
Cervical cancer
Other cancers, including HIV-associated lymphoma and HPV-associated rectal and anal cancers
Opportunistic infections occurring in advanced HIV
Maternal-fetal transmission, which causes severe birth defects

Treatment of STDs

Treatment of STDS depends on the organism that you have been infected with . It can be as follows :

Antibiotics
Anti virals
HAART
Partner notification and preventive treatment – If you have contracted an STD your current partners and any other partners you’ve had over the last three months to one year need to be informed so that they can get tested and treated if infected. And since you can contract some STIs more than once, partner notification reduces your risk of getting reinfected.

Prevention

Prevention plays are very important role in the management of STDs . It is the responsibility of everyone who is sexually active to make sure they do not get infected with HIV and other STDs and also to make sure they do not infect others . Both men and women must play a part to curb the spread of HIV and STDs .

Here are is how one can reduce the chances of being infected with ;

Abstain: Remember abstinence is not just for people who have never had sexual intercourse, even someone who have had sex before can choose to abstain .
Avoid multiple concurrent relationships and stick with one partner
Wait and verify : Avoid vaginal and anal intercourse with new partners until you have both been tested for STDs
Use condoms and dental dams consistently and correctly.
Don’t drink alcohol excessively or use drugs
Avoid anonymous, casual sex.
Communicate with your partner
Teach your child about sexual health but make sure you use the language that they understand .
Consider male circumcision – prevents against HIV infection( -60 % ) , also prevents HPV infection .
Vaccinations against HPV prevents cervical cancer and genital warts . HPV vaccination is now available in Botswana .