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What are the symptoms, diagnostic methods, and treatment options for STDs?

Sexually transmitted diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or venereal diseases (VDs) occur due to the transfer of infectious organisms during sexual contact. STDs occur due to harmful bacteria, parasites, yeast, and viruses. STDs sometimes occur due to the transmission of organisms from a mother to her child during childbirth or during breastfeeding through the use of unsterilized drug needles and during blood transfusions.

Some specific types of STDs are:

bacteria-related STDs

  • Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis)
  • Gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhea)
  • Syphilis (Treponema pallidum)
  • Chancroid (Haemophilus ducreyi)

virus-related STDs

  • Crabs, also known as pubic lice
  • Hepatitis B and D, and rarely A*, C*, E* (hepatitis viruses, types AE)
  • Genital herpes (herpes simplex virus)
  • Genital warts (human papillomavirus) [HPV])
  • HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus [HIV virus])
  • Molluscum contagiosum* (poxvirus)

STDs related to protozoa

  • Trichomoniasis (Trichomonas vaginalis)

STDs related to parasites

  • Pubic lice or crab lice (Pediculosis pubis)

fungal-related STDs

  • Fungal infections (Candida albicans)

The genital areas are generally moist and warm and are ideal environments for the growth of yeast, viruses, and bacteria, etc.

Symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

  • Painful ulcers on the genitals
  • Rashes, fever, headache and cough, joint pain
  • Recurring outbreaks of blister-like sores on the genitals
  • Fatigue, night sweats, chills
  • Sore throat, swollen lymph nodes
  • weightloss
  • Diarrhea
  • strong vaginal odor
  • Vaginal itching or irritation and pain when urinating
  • Serious complications of AIDS, including unusual infections or cancers, weight loss, intellectual decline (dementia), and death

During transmission, the chances of disease transfer depend on the donor carrying the infection and the carrier. For example, in the case of herpes, the probability of transmission of HSV 2 is:

  • Male herpes to non-female herpes = 10%
  • Female herpes to male non-herpes = 4%.

Some STDs, such as genital herpes and HIV, that cause AIDS cannot be cured, but can only be controlled with medication.

For the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases,

  • antibiotics are more commonly preferred in case of bacterial infection
  • for viruses, antiviral drugs or antiretroviral therapy are given

Diagnostic methods

  • Blood test: Blood tests help confirm the diagnosis of HIV and AIDS or sometimes the later stage of syphilis.
  • Urine samples: STDs can sometimes be confirmed with a urine sample.
  • Fluid samples: In the case of active genital sores, fluids and samples are collected from the sores for analysis and diagnosis of the type of infection. In some cases, laboratory tests of samples from a genital sore or discharge are used to diagnose some STIs (sexually transmitted infections).
  • Pregnant women are screened to prevent transmission of infection to the baby.

Treatment and prevention of STDs

  • Antibiotics: Antibiotics can cure many sexually transmitted bacterial and parasitic infections, such as gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis. But there is always the possibility that the infection will recur.
  • Antiviral medications: Antiviral medications reduce the risk of infection, but there is still a chance that the infection will recur. Antiviral drugs can control HIV infection for many years, but the virus persists and can still be transmitted, although the risk is lower.
  • The earlier a treatment is given, the more effective it is.
  • Health professionals refer to safer sex to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, such as the use of condoms during sexual activity. But safer sex methods may not always provide complete protection against STIs.
  • Avoid contact during transfer and exposure to body fluids, such as transfusions of blood and other blood products, sharing injection needles, sharing tattoo needles, etc.
  • Abstinence is avoiding or stopping any sexual act with an affected person and is the most effective way to avoid an STI.
  • Monogamy with an uninfected partner: A long-term monogamous relationship with one person reduces the risk of contracting an STI.

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