Common Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most common curable bacterial STI.
It infects the cervix, which is the opening to the uterus or womb. It can also infect the urethra in a penis.
3. Regular testing:
- Get tested annually if you're under 25 or have new/existing partners.
- Get tested if you experience symptoms or have been exposed to Chlamydia
4. Partner notification and treatment:
- Inform recent partners if you test positive, so they can get tested and treated.
2. Gonorrhea
If left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to complications in men, such as:
If left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to several complications in men, which can be both local and systemic. Here are some of the key complications:
1. Urethritis
Inflammation of the urethra, causing symptoms like burning sensation during urination and discharge from the penis.
2. Epididymitis
Inflammation of the epididymis, the tube that stores and carries sperm. This can cause pain and swelling in the testicles and may lead to infertility if untreated.
3. Prostatitis
Inflammation of the prostate gland, leading to symptoms such as pelvic pain, painful urination, and difficulty urinating.
SYPHILIS
1. Primary Syphilis
Chancre: A painless sore or ulcer that appears at the site where the bacteria entered the body, usually on the genitals, anus, or mouth. It typically appears 3 weeks after exposure but can range from 10 to 90 days. The sore heals on its own within 3 to 6 weeks, even without treatment.
2. Secondary Syphilis
Skin Rash: Often appears as rough, red, or reddish-brown spots on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. However, rashes can appear on other parts of the body and can look different (e.g., flat or raised, scaly or moist).
Cardiovascular Issues: Such as aneurysms, heart valve disease, or inflammation of blood vessels.
Organ Damage: Can affect multiple organs and be life-threatening.
Trichomoniasis
HPV
Herpes
HIV/AIDS
Fever
Fatigue
Rash
Swollen lymph nodes
Sore throat
Muscle and joint pain
Headache
Night sweats
Mouth ulcers
Diarrhea
Not everyone experiences symptoms, and they can be mild.
Hepatitis
Nongonococcal Urethritis (NGU)
Definition,
A sexually transmitted infection is any infection that is spread primarily by sexual contact. One person passes the infection to another during oral, vaginal, or anal sex.
Bacteria, viruses, or fungal infections can cause STIs and can affect individuals of all ages, genders, and sexual orientations.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 1 million STIs are acquired daily worldwide, with young people aged 15-24 accounting for half of all new infectionsSo why are STIs so common?
The answer may be that people don't know how to recognize, treat, or prevent them. Or when they do, they often need to do it more effectively.
Many women remain asymptomatic and may have the infection without them knowing due to lack of symptoms. When there are symptoms, they include pain during sex and discharge from the penis or vagina.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you be screened for chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections if you are under 25 years old and sexually active. The CDC also recommends screening if you have any of these risk factors:
You have a new sex partner.
You have a sex partner with an STI.
You have more than one sex partner.
You have a sex partner who is having sex with other people.
5. Avoiding douching: Douching can push bacteria further into the reproductive tract, increasing infection risk.
7. Using condoms with new partners: Until you've both been tested and cleared.
8. Reducing number of partners: The more partners you have, the higher your risk.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is another common bacterial STD.
It often infects the same organs as chlamydia and has similar long-term effects.
If you have gonorrhea, you may experience a burning sensation when you urinate.
The infection can also cause white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis or vagina.
It's important to know that many people, especially women, with gonorrhea don't have symptoms. Gonorrhea can infect the cervix, uterus, or fallopian tubes, which may not produce noticeable symptoms.
4. Urethral Stricture
Scarring and narrowing of the urethra, which can result from chronic inflammation and lead to difficulty urinating and increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
5. Infertility
Chronic infection can lead to scarring and blockages in the reproductive tract, potentially causing infertility.
6. Disseminated Gonococcal Infection (DGI)
This systemic infection can spread to other parts of the body, including the skin, joints, heart, and meninges. It can cause symptoms such as fever, joint pain, and skin rashes. DGI is a serious condition that requires prompt treatment.
7. Increased Risk of HIV Transmission
Gonorrhea can cause inflammation and sores, which can increase the risk of contracting and transmitting HIV.
Management and Prevention
Prompt diagnosis and treatment with appropriate antibiotics are crucial to prevent these complications.
Safe sex practices, including the use of condoms, regular STI screenings, and mutual monogamy, can help reduce the risk of infection.
In Women symptoms may include these,
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Burning during urination
- Painful sex
- Abdominal pain
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV)
SYPHILIS
Syphilis is a common STI with a long history.
It's caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum and can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.
Syphilis is transmitted when you come into direct contact with syphilis sores, which are usually found on the outside or inside of sex organs.
They can also appear in your mouth or rectum.
That means it can be transmitted by oral, vaginal, or anal sex.
Some scientists think that oral sex is responsible for the rise of syphilis in men who have sex with men.
Mucous Membrane Lesions: Sores in the mouth, vagina, or anus.
Fever: Mild fever is common.
Swollen Lymph Nodes: Particularly in the groin, armpits, and neck.
Sore Throat: A common symptom.
Fatigue and General Malaise: Feeling generally unwell.
Alopecia: Patchy hair loss on the scalp, eyebrows, beard, or other areas.
Muscle Aches and Pains: Can be widespread.
These symptoms may resolve with or without treatment but can recur.
5. Congenital Syphilis
Infants born to infected mothers: They may have no symptoms at birth, but without treatment, they can develop serious problems within weeks. Symptoms include skin rashes, fever, hepatosplenomegaly (enlarged liver and spleen), jaundice, and developmental issues.
Trichomoniasis is the most common non-viral STI worldwide.
It affects more women than men.
This infection can seem like a yeast infection (fungal infection of the vagina and vulva) or bacterial vaginosis (BV, caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina) since the symptoms are similar.
Symptoms include:
Frothy discharge
Strong vaginal odor
Pain during intercourse
Irritation
Itching
Human papillomavirus (HPV) Is by far the most common STI.
Studies from before the HPV vaccine was available showed that around three-quarters of sexually active people had HPV at some point. One quarter of women were infected at any given time.
HPV is sometimes called "the cervical cancer virus," but only a few types of HPV can cause cancer.
There are other cancers linked to HPV, including penile and anal cancer.
Herpes (HSV) is an STI caused by a virus.
It comes in two forms: HSV1 and HSV2.
HSV1 is often associated with cold sores, and HSV2 is often associated with genital sores.
However, it is possible to pass herpes from the mouth to the genitals and vice versa.
Herpes cannot be cured.
However, its symptoms can be treated with antiviral drugs.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that can cause AIDS.
It can only be spread by an exchange of bodily fluids. HIV can be spread through:
Semen
Vaginal fluids
Breast milk
Blood
HIV cannot be passed by casual contact.
Today, most people with HIV are treated with a combination of drugs known as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), or combined antiretroviral therapy (cART).
2. Clinical Latency Stage:
This stage can last several years with minimal or no symptoms. Some may experience:
Mild symptoms
Swollen lymph nodes
Low-grade fever
The virus remains active but at low levels.
Hepatitis
There are several types of hepatitis.
Different viruses are spread through various routes, but they all damage the liver.
The type of hepatitis most often spread by sexual contact is hepatitis B (HBV).
However, in rare cases, it's also possible to get hepatitis C by having sex with an infected person.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition in which the healthy bacteria in the vagina are replaced by different organisms.
Symptoms include burning and itching around the vagina, white or gray discharge, and a strong fishy odor that is more noticeable after sex.
Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is an STI caused by bacteria.
At one time, LGV mostly affected people in developing countries.
However, it is now on the rise worldwide.
In 2003, an LGV outbreak happened among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Netherlands.
Nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) causes urethritis.
Urethritis is an inflammation of the tube that carries urine from your bladder to the outside of your body.
NGU is inflammation caused by something other than gonorrhea.
Not all infections that affect the sex organs are considered STIs. Some are not related to sexual activity at all. Others aren't transmitted during sex but occur as a result of it.
Common STIs include:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
- Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
- Hepatitis B and C
If left untreated, STIs can lead to serious health consequences, such as:
- Infertility
- Chronic pain
- Increased risk of HIV transmission
- Cancer
- Birth complications
Chlamydia can do a lot of damage to your body in the long run.
It can cause infertility by blocking the reproductive tract in men and women.
Prevention of chlamydia
Chlamydia is a bacterial STI that can be prevented through:
1. Safe sex practices:
- Use condoms consistently and correctly during vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
- Use dental dams during oral sex.
2. Mutual monogamy: Being in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner.
9. Using condoms with sex toys: If sharing sex toys, cover them with condoms and clean them thoroughly.
10. Getting informed: Educate yourself and partners about Chlamydia risks, symptoms, and prevention.
Symptoms of gonorrhea in men may include:
Burning sensation while urinating (dysuria)
Thick, cloudy, or bloody discharge from the penis
Painful or swollen testicles
Painful or swollen prostate gland
Itching or discomfort in the urethra
Frequent urination
Abnormal swelling of the foreskin (in uncircumcised men)
Redness or inflammation at the opening of the penis
8. Conjunctivitis
Although rare, gonococcal infection can spread to the eyes, causing conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva). This is more common in newborns who acquire the infection during birth from an infected mother.
9. Pharyngitis
Oral sex with an infected partner can lead to gonococcal pharyngitis, which is an infection of the throat.
10. Rectal Infections
Engaging in anal sex with an infected partner can result in rectal infections, causing symptoms like discharge, itching, soreness, bleeding, or painful bowel movements.
Syphilis sores can appear on areas not covered by a condom. Condoms lower your risk of getting syphilis, but they don't eliminate it.
At first, syphilis sores (ulcers called chancres) are small and painless.
They may heal by themselves, but that doesn't mean the infection is gone. It's just become harder to spot and treat.
It progresses through different stages, each with distinct symptoms.
The stages are primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary syphilis.
3. Latent Syphilis
This stage has no symptoms and can last for years. The infection remains in the body, and the person is still contagious during the early part of this stage. Without treatment, latent syphilis can progress to tertiary syphilis.
4. Tertiary Syphilis
Gummas: Soft, tumor-like growths that can appear on the skin, bones, liver, or other organs.
Neurological Problems: Including difficulty coordinating muscle movements, paralysis, numbness, blindness, and dementia (neurosyphilis).
Men with trichomoniasis don't usually have symptoms.
If you have been diagnosed with the infection, make sure your partner gets treated.
Even if trichomoniasis does not seem to be affecting your partner much, they can still give it back to you, no matter what their sex.
Other HPV types cause genital warts, other warts, or no symptoms at all.
There is no cure for HPV, but its symptoms can be treated.
Infections can sometimes resolve on their own.
It is recommended that 11- to 12-year-olds get the HPV vaccine to protect them from the most common strains of the virus.
The CDC also recommends the HPV vaccine for adults up to age 26 if they were not vaccinated earlier.
Some people may receive the vaccine up to age 45.12
You can pass the virus to someone else even if you do not have any sores or other symptoms.
Using a condom lowers the risk of spreading herpes.
You can still get herpes even if you use a condom, though.
Herpes can be spread by having sex, but it can also be passed through skin-to-skin contact.
These therapies cannot cure the infection, but they can reduce the chances of HIV leading to AIDS.
HIV is no longer considered a terminal illness.
Many people with the virus are living long and healthy lives.
Symptoms of HIV Infection
1. Acute HIV Infection:
Occurs 2-4 weeks after exposure. Symptoms resemble the flu and may include:
3. AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome):
The most severe stage of HIV, is marked by:
Rapid weight loss
Recurring fever or night sweats
Extreme fatigue
Swollen lymph glands
Prolonged diarrhea
Sores on the mouth, anus, or genitals
Pneumonia
Memory loss and other neurologic symptoms
At this stage, the immune system is significantly weakened, increasing vulnerability to infections and certain cancers.
Over time, hepatitis B and C can lead to scarring of the liver, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
Fortunately, there is a vaccine that can protect you from hepatitis B.
The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all infants and children and many groups of adults—however, anyone who wants to be protected can get it.
While there isn't a vaccine for hepatitis C, there are very effective treatments that can cure the infection.
Some people question whether BV is an STD, but there is a link between BV and having a new sex partner or multiple sex partners. You can take antibiotics to get rid of BV, but it can show up again.
Bacterial vaginosis can increase the risk of HIV, pelvic inflammatory disease, and preterm birth (babies born too early).
Since then, it has been found in some groups of MSM across western Europe, North America, and Australia.
LGV is caused by a type of Chlamydia trachomatis.
It can raise the risk of getting or spreading HIV.
NGU can be caused by chlamydia and MG, however 50% of cases don't have an identifiable organism.
Symptoms of NGU include burning when you urinate and discharge from the head of the penis.21 However, it is important to know that most people with NGU have no symptoms at all.
Compiled by Dr.Mutunga
Medical Officer Ark Wellness Hub
References
CDC
WHO
MEDSCAPE
VERY WELL HEALTH
UPTO DATE