Types of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites that are transmitted from one person to another through semen, vaginal secretions, blood, or other bodily fluids. In this article, we will detail the types of sexually transmitted diseases.

Types of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

There are more than 20 types of STDs, and the following are some of the most common examples:

• Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a common bacterial infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. It can be transmitted through vaginal, oral, and anal sex or from mother to child during childbirth. 

Chlamydia often does not cause symptoms, but when they do appear, they may include pain during urination, unusual discharge from the vagina or penis, pain and bleeding after intercourse in women, and swollen testicles in men 7-21 days after infection. 

While it can be treated with a short course of antibiotics, untreated chlamydia can be serious, potentially leading to pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, infertility in women, and epididymitis and testicular inflammation in men.

• Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is an infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae, transmitted through all forms of sexual contact and from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth. This bacteria can infect the cervix, urethra, rectum, throat, and, less commonly, the eyes. 

Most people with gonorrhea do not have symptoms, but if they do, they may include thick green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis, pain during urination, and bleeding between menstrual periods in women. 

Gonorrhea is usually treated with antibiotics, but without treatment, it can lead to life-threatening complications.

• Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is one of the sexually transmitted diseases caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. This infection leads to foul-smelling vaginal discharge, pain during urination, and genital itching in women, while men may not show symptoms or may experience pain during urination or ejaculation. 

Trichomoniasis increases the risk of pregnancy complications and premature birth, as well as the risk of contracting HIV. It is treated by giving both partners antibiotics such as metronidazole, tinidazole, or secnidazole.

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, making the infected person more susceptible to other STDs or different infections. 

HIV is transmitted through sexual contact, sharing contaminated needles, contact with infected wounds, or from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding, as the virus is present in semen, blood, breast milk, vaginal fluids, and rectal secretions. 

There is no cure for HIV, but certain medications can reduce its amount in the body to undetectable levels, preventing transmission to others. Without treatment, HIV can lead to life-threatening complications, including the development of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

• Genital Herpes

Herpes is a viral infection that can affect the skin, cervix, genitals, and other parts of the body. 

There are two types of herpes: type 1 usually affects the mouth, causing cold sores that can be spread through saliva, while type 2 affects the genital area and is transmitted through oral, vaginal, or anal sex. 

Once infected with herpes, the virus remains in the body for life, often staying dormant with no symptoms. If symptoms appear, they may include blisters around the mouth, anus, or genital area, which can burst and cause painful ulcers, along with fever, general body aches, and swollen lymph nodes. 

There is no cure for herpes, but medications can help alleviate symptoms and antiviral drugs can prevent its spread.

• Syphilis

Syphilis is another sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. This serious infection requires early treatment to prevent long-term complications and permanent damage, as untreated syphilis can destroy the brain, heart, nervous system, or eyes. 

The disease typically progresses through four stages, beginning with a painless round sore on the genitals, mouth, or rectum in the primary stage. The secondary stage involves a wide range of symptoms, followed by a latent stage where symptoms disappear. The Tertiary stage can result in life-threatening complications. 

Syphilis is spread through direct contact with sores and may be transmitted to the child during pregnancy, childbirth, and sometimes breastfeeding. Early stages of syphilis can be treated with a single dose of penicillin.

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

HPV is the name of a very common group of viruses (over 100 viruses), most of which do not cause problems for most people. However, some types can cause skin warts on the skin and mucous membranes, such as in the throat, cervix, anus, and mouth, while others can lead to different types of cancer. 

The virus is transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex, or even by touching the infected skin. Usually, HPV does not cause any symptoms, and people may not realize they have any issues, but they may notice painful lumps around the vagina, penis, or anus known as genital warts. 

Although most HPV infections do not cause cancer, certain strains in the body increase the risk of cervical cancer and throat cancer. Vaccines can help protect against the strains that cause genital warts or cervical cancer.

• Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is another type of sexually transmitted disease, a long-term infection caused by a virus that can lead to liver damage. Once infected, the virus typically remains in semen, blood, and other bodily fluids, spreading through sexual contact, the use of unsterilized injection equipment, or from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth. 

Although there is no cure for hepatitis B, it can be prevented through vaccination.

How Are Sexually Transmitted Diseases Diagnosed?

It is usually challenging for doctors to diagnose STDs based solely on symptoms, so they may request some tests and examinations depending on the suspected diseases, such as:

1. Swabs of body fluids.
2. Physical examinations.
3. Blood tests.
4. Specialized procedures like colposcopy.

Because most STDs do not have distinctive symptoms, Blazma offers a general STD Disease test package with six essential tests to detect these diseases easily and with high accuracy.