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How STD Spreads
STDs can be caused by viruses, parasites or bacteria of which can be found in bodily fluids including semen, vaginal secretions, blood, and breast milk. STDs can be spread by the following
- sexual activity where you contact an infected person’s bodily fluids
- Sexual activity with genitals to skin or mucous membranes where one is infected
- direct contact with open sores
- mother to her baby before birth, during birth, or during breast-feeding Most bacteria and viruses that cause sexually transmitted disease cannot survive outside the human body. Most bacteria and viruses that cause STDs cannot be spread via kissing, sharing utensils, holding hands, or using public toilets. Not all STDs are curable or treated e.g. herpes is permanent.
Damage by STDs
Damage done by STDs can be permanently effect a person’s health. It is imperative that you see a doctor or health care professional as soon as you have been exposed to a STD.
Babies and STDs
The Facts
- STDs in the mother can threaten the health of the unborn baby
- Can cause miscarriage, or blindness in baby
Bacterial STDs
The most common bacterial STDs are chlamydia, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), gonorrhea, and syphilis. Most bacterial STDs can be cured by antibiotics, if left untreated the STDs can cause permanent damage. Some bacterial STDs can scar the fallopian tubes and lead to an ectopic pregnancy.
| What | Notable Symptoms | Treatment | Untreated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gonorrhea | Females: Often no obvious symptoms, painful urination or in pelvic area Males: Pain during urination | Antibiotics | Females: PID, ectopic pregnancies or infertility Males: difficult urination, painful swelling of testicles leading to infertility. Newborns: blindness, blood infections |
| Syphillis | Painless ulcer called chancre at infection site. Death. | Antibiotics, curable in early stages | Premature death, mental and physical disabilities. |
| Chlamydia | Often none. Pain during urination, discharge from vagina or penis. Pelvic pain for women | Antibiotics | Females: pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancies, PID, infertility Male: Injure reproductive organs, swollen and tender testicles |
| PID (female) | Pain in pelvic area, vaginal discharge, usually long and painful menstrual periods | Antibiotics, although cannot repair damage without surgery | Ectopic pregnancies, chronic pelvic pain |
Viral STDs
Many symptoms of viral STDs can be treated with drugs but not cured.
| What | Notable Symptoms | Treatment | Untreated |
|---|---|---|---|
| HPV | Often none. Genital and anal warts. | No cure, removal of warts | Female: higher rates of cervical cancer Male: Increased risk of genital cancers |
| Genital Herpes | HSV-1 Cold sores and fever blisters around mouth HSV-2 Swollen lymph nodes, fever, red bumps, blisters, recurring sores around genitals | No cure, antivirals can reduce outbreaks and length | Newborns: Infection of liver, brain, skin, eyes and mouth or death. |
| Hepatitis (the liver) | Jaundice, change in urine color | No cure for hep b or c. Severe cases may need liver transplant. Vaccine is available to prevent hepatitis B. | Liver damage, failure, and cancer. Premature death |
| HIV | P1 (up to 10+ years after exposure) - Fatigue, weight loss, fever, diarrhea. P2 - P1 symptoms, swollen lymph nodes, forgetfulness, difficulty thinking. P3 - Weakened immune system, infections, weight loss | No cure for aids. Combination drugs can delay serious symptoms. | Weigh loss, malnutrition, loss of mobility, opportunistic infections, cancer, premature death. |
Parasitic STDs
| What | Notable Symptoms | Treatment | Untreatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public lice | Intense itching in pubic area | Medication to kill lice, Wash clothes, and bed linen in hot water | Skin damage can occur |
| Scabies (mites burrowed in skin) | Intense itching in infected area | same as public lice | Skin damage can occur |
| Trichomoniasis (protozoan) | Females: Itching in genital area, discharge from vagina, painful urination Males: usually no symptoms | Cured via prescribed medicine | Females: bladder and urethral infections, premature birth Males: inflamed urethra |
Being Responsible
- Seek medical help right away, don’t be afraid
- Complete full course of medications even if symptoms are gone
- Have follow up testing done to ensure the infection is gone
- Avoid sexual activity during treatment
- Notify sexual partners