Main sexually transmitted diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases ( STDs ) are a global public health problem that affects people of all ages, genders, and sexual orientations. According to data from the World Health Organization, every day there are about 1.3 million new cases of STDs worldwide. Next, it discusses the main sexually transmitted diseases and how to prevent and treat them.

HIV AIDS

HIV/AIDS is a disease that has affected millions of people around the world. It is an infectious disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that attacks the body's immune system, which can lead to a variety of diseases and eventual failure of the immune system. HIV is transmitted through unprotected sex, sharing needles, blood transfusions, and from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. Although there is still no cure for HIV/AIDS, there are effective treatments available that can slow the progression of the disease and improve patients' quality of life.

HIV symptoms

HIV symptoms can vary in intensity and duration. Many people infected with the HIV virus do not have symptoms for many years. However, some early symptoms of HIV can include:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Night sweats
• unexplained weight loss
• Diarrhea
• Headaches
• recurring infections

It is important to note that these symptoms can be caused by many other diseases in addition to HIV, so the only way to confirm the presence of HIV is through specific diagnostic tests.

HIV prevention

The best way to prevent HIV infection is to practice safe sex and not share needles. This means using condoms during sex and not sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs. HIV testing is also important for people who may be at risk of contracting the disease. It is important that people get regular HIV tests if they are sexually active or if they inject drugs.

HIV/AIDS treatment

HIV/AIDS treatment involves the use of antiretroviral drugs that help slow the progression of the disease and keep the immune system working. Antiretroviral drugs are taken daily and must be taken exactly as prescribed to be effective. These medications can have side effects, but these are usually mild and can be managed with the help of a healthcare professional.

In some cases, other medications may be needed to treat opportunistic infections that can occur in people with HIV/AIDS. These infections can include pneumonia, tuberculosis, and certain types of cancer. It is also important to follow a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding alcohol and illegal drugs.

chlamydia

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. This bacterium is transmitted from person to person through vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact. Chlamydia can infect the cervix, rectum, urethra, and, in rare cases, the eyes and throat. The infection is most common in people under the age of 25, but it can affect anyone who is sexually active.

Chlamydia symptoms

Most people infected with chlamydia do not have symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they may include:

• pain when urinating
• Vaginal or urethral discharge
• Bleeding between menstrual periods or after sex
• Pain or bleeding during sexual intercourse
• Pain in the abdomen or lower back
• Fever

Chlamydia symptoms usually appear 1 to 3 weeks after infection. However, in some cases, they can take months to appear.

Diagnosis of chlamydia

Chlamydia is diagnosed by testing for the bacteria. The most common test is a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), which is done on a sample of urine or cells taken from the cervix, rectum, or throat. If you have symptoms of chlamydia, it's important to get tested as soon as possible. If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to serious complications.

Chlamydia Treatment

Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics. The most common treatment is azithromycin or doxycycline. If you have chlamydia, it's important to take all your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not stop taking the medicines even if your symptoms disappear before the end of the treatment. If not treated correctly, chlamydia can lead to serious complications.

Prevention

The best way to prevent chlamydia is to practice safe sex. Use latex or polyurethane condoms every time you have sex, be it vaginal, anal, or oral. It's important to get tested for STDs regularly, especially if you're sexually active and have multiple sexual partners. If you have chlamydia, it's important to tell everyone you've had sex with so they can get tested and treated if needed.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that is spread primarily through vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact with an infected person. The bacteria responsible for gonorrhea is called Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and it can infect the urethra, cervix, anus, throat, and eyes.

Gonorrhea often has no symptoms, but if symptoms do occur, they may include pain or burning when urinating, yellowish or greenish discharge from the penis or vagina, pain or swelling in the testicles or vulva, and pain during sexual intercourse. In more serious cases, gonorrhea can cause infertility in both men and women, and can increase the risk of contracting HIV.

Genital herpes

Genital herpes is an STI caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of HSV: HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 usually causes oral herpes (cold sores), while HSV-2 is the most common cause of genital herpes.

Genital herpes is transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person. The virus can enter the body through small lesions on the skin or mucous membranes of the genitals, anus, or mouth.

Once the virus enters the body, it can stay there for life. Although the body can fight off the infection, the genital herpes virus can lie dormant in the nervous system for long periods of time and then reactivate, causing recurring symptoms.

What are the symptoms of genital herpes?

Most people infected with genital herpes have no symptoms or mild symptoms that can be mistaken for a mild skin infection or irritation. Symptoms can appear within 2 to 20 days after exposure to the virus.

The most common symptoms of genital herpes include:

• Painful blisters or sores on the genitals, anus, or mouth
• Itching or burning in the genital area
• Pain during urination or sexual intercourse
• Vaginal or urethral discharge
• Fever and malaise

It is important to note that people can transmit the virus even if they do not have symptoms. Therefore, an infected person may not know they have genital herpes and may pass it on to other people.

How is genital herpes diagnosed?

The diagnosis of genital herpes is usually based on the symptoms and the patient's medical history. The doctor may do a physical exam and examine the blisters or sores to determine if they are caused by the herpes simplex virus.

Laboratory tests may also be done to confirm the diagnosis, such as a viral culture test or a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. These tests can detect the presence of the virus in the fluid from the blisters or skin cells.

Which is the treatment?

There is currently no cure for genital herpes. However, there are treatments that can relieve symptoms and reduce the frequency of relapses. Treatment for genital herpes may include antiviral medications such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir.

Prevention

The best way to prevent the transmission of genital herpes is to practice safe sex. This includes the correct and consistent use of condoms and oral dams during sexual intercourse, both vaginal and anal or oral.

Also, it is important to inform sexual partners about the presence of genital herpes before having sexual intercourse. This way, they can take steps to reduce the risk of transmission and protect themselves. It is also important to note that genital herpes can be transmitted even when no symptoms are present. Therefore, it is advisable to refrain from sexual intercourse during genital herpes outbreaks and to use condoms at all times.

HPV

The Human Papilloma Virus is a sexually transmitted infection that occurs through skin-to-skin contact during sexual intercourse. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted virus, affecting millions of people around the world. There are more than 100 types of HPV, of which at least 14 are considered high risk for developing cancer.

How is HPV transmitted?

HPV is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact during sexual intercourse, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Even if there is no penetration, genital contact may be enough to transmit the virus. HPV transmission can also occur from mother to child during childbirth.

What are the symptoms?

Most people with HPV do not have symptoms, so they may not know they are infected. Some people can develop genital warts on the vulva, vagina, anus, or penis. Warts can be small or large, flat or raised, solitary or multiple. Genital warts can appear weeks or months after infection and can be painful or itchy.

How is HPV diagnosed?

HPV can be detected by Pap smears or by HPV testing. The Pap smear is used to detect cervical cell changes that may indicate the presence of HPV. The HPV test detects the genetic material of the virus in cervical cells. HPV tests are more accurate than Pap tests in detecting HPV infections.

How is it treated?

Currently, there is no cure for HPV , but treatments can help control symptoms and reduce the risk of developing cancer. Genital warts can be treated with topical medications, cryotherapy, or surgical removal. High-risk HPV infections can be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.

How to prevent it?

The best way to prevent HPV is to get vaccinated. The HPV vaccine is available for boys and girls ages 9 and up. The vaccine is given in three doses and protects against the types of HPV that cause most cases of cancer and genital warts. In addition to the vaccine, it is important to practice safe sex, including the use of condoms.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum. Although it can be successfully treated, syphilis can cause serious complications if left untreated.

Causes

Syphilis is transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person. It can also be passed from an infected mother to her child during pregnancy or childbirth. The bacteria can enter the body through small lesions in the skin or mucous membranes, such as those found in the mouth and genitals.

Symptoms

The symptoms of syphilis can vary depending on the stage of the infection. Syphilis is divided into four stages: primary, secondary, latent, and late.

In the primary stage, a painless sore may develop at the site of the infection, usually on the genitals, anus, or mouth. The sore usually heals on its own after a few weeks. In the secondary stage, which occurs 2 to 8 weeks after the appearance of the primary sore, skin rashes all over the body, fever, sore throat, headache, and fatigue may develop. These symptoms may go away on their own after a few weeks or months, but the bacteria may still be present in the body. In the latent stage, syphilis has no symptoms and can last for several years. However, the bacteria is still present in the body and can cause serious complications if left untreated. In the late stage, which can occur 10 to 30 years after the initial infection, syphilis can cause serious problems with the internal organs, brain, and nerves.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of syphilis is made by blood tests that detect antibodies against the bacterium Treponema pallidum. In the early stage of the infection, these tests can give false negative results, since the antibodies have not yet developed in sufficient quantity. If syphilis is suspected, the doctor may perform a biopsy of the sore to confirm the presence of the bacteria.

Treatment

Treatment of syphilis consists of one or more injections of penicillin. The number of injections and the length of treatment depend on the stage of the infection and the severity of the symptoms. In some cases, another type of antibiotic may be used if the patient is allergic to penicillin.

It is important that all sexual partners of the patient are examined and treated to prevent transmission of the infection. It is also recommended that pregnant women be tested for syphilis during pregnancy, as the infection can be transmitted to the fetus and cause serious complications.

trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is an STD that is transmitted during sexual intercourse. The infection is caused by a microscopic parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. This parasite lodges in the female reproductive tract and the male urethra, where it reproduces and causes inflammation and irritation.

Although both men and women can get trichomoniasis, women are more likely to experience symptoms. In fact, some women may have the infection and not know it, increasing the risk of spreading the infection.

symptoms of trichomoniasis

The symptoms of trichomoniasis can range from mild to severe. Some people may not have symptoms at all. Common symptoms of trichomoniasis include:

• Abnormal vaginal discharge in women.
• Discharge from the penis in men.
• Itching or irritation in the genital area.
• Pain during sexual intercourse.
• Pain when urinating.

How it is transmitted

Trichomoniasis is spread by sexual contact with someone who already has the infection. It can spread during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Women can get the infection from the vagina, while men can get it from the urethra. It is also possible for a pregnant woman to pass the infection to her baby during delivery.

Prevention

The best way to prevent trichomoniasis is to practice safe sex. This includes the use of condoms during all sexual intercourse, including oral sex. It is also important to reduce the number of sexual partners and to make sure that sexual partners are free of sexually transmitted infections before having unprotected sex.

Treatment of trichomoniasis

Treatment of trichomoniasis involves the administration of antiparasitic drugs. The most common medications include metronidazole and tinidazole. Treatment is usually given as a single dose, but longer treatment may be necessary in some cases.

It's important that both you and your partner get treatment for trichomoniasis, even if only one of you has symptoms. If only one person is treated, the infection may spread again.

The best way to prevent STDs is through the use of condoms with all sexual relations and regular testing for STDs. If you have been infected, it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible to avoid serious complications.