Sexually Transmitted Disease

Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are infections that can be transferred from one person to another through sexual contact.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) affect millions of men and women each year.
Anyone can become infected through sexual intercourse with an infected person.
Many of those infected are teenagers or young adults.
Changing sexual partners adds to the risk of becoming infected.
Sometimes, early in the infection, there may be no symptoms, or symptoms may be easily confused with other illnesses.

Symptoms

Several symptoms can indicate the possibility of a sexually transmitted disease. If you experience any of these symptoms see your health care provider as soon as possible.

Unusual vaginal discharge, or any discharge from the rectum or penis.
Painful intercourse.
Burning or discomfort during urination.
Unusual pain or discomfort in the abdomen in women or the testicles in men. Also be aware of any unusual pain in both the buttocks and legs.
Swelling, blisters, open sores, warts, or a rash in the genital area, on the sexual organs, or in the mouth.
Flu-like symptoms such as fever, headach, aching muscles, or swollen glands.

Although just having these symptoms does not mean they are caused by a sexually transmitted disease, these symptoms do indicate a potential infection.

Risks

Several potential health risks are associated with sexually transmitted diseases or STDs. These include:

Ectopic or tubal pregnancies which can be fatal to the mother and are always fatal to the unborn baby.
Babies born to women with sexually transmitted diseases may suffer death or severe damage as a result of the mother's STD.
Cervical cancer is almost always caused by an STD called the human pappilloma virus or HPV.
Sometimes sexually transmitted diseases cause damage to other organs including the heart, kidneys, and brain.
The sad fact is that certain STDS such as HIV or AIDS are eventually fatal.

A partial listing of sexually transmitted diseases

Chlamydia - Chlamydia is a very dangerous STD as it usually has no symptoms; 75 per cent of infected women and 25 per cent of infected men have no symptoms at all.
Gonorrhea - Gonorrhea is one of the most frequently reported STD. 40 per cent of it's victims contract PID if not treated, and it can cause sterility.
Hepatitis B - A vaccine exists, but there's no cure; can cause cancer of the liver. · Herpes - Painful and episodic; can be treated but there's no cure.
HIV/AIDS - First recognized in 1984, AIDS is the sixth leading cause of death among young men and women. The virus is fatal involving a long, painful death.
Human Papalloma Virus (HPV) and Genital Warts - The most common STD, 33 per cent of all women have this virus, which can cause cervical or penile cancer and genital pain.
Syphilis - Untreated, can lead to serious damage of the brain or heart.
Trichomoniasis - Can cause foamy vaginal discharge or no symptoms at all. Can cause premature birth in pregnant women.
Other STDs and related conditions.