Sexually transmitted infections or sexually transmitted diseases are infections that are transmitted through sexual intercourse. This disease can be characterized by a rash or blisters and pain in the genital area. There square measure many varieties of sexually transmitted diseases, as well as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, protozoal infection, and HIV.
As the name implies, sexually transmitted diseases are spread through sexual intercourse, either vaginally, anal, or orally. Not solely intimate relationships, transmission can even occur through blood transfusions and sharing needles with sufferers. The infection can also be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus, either during pregnancy or during delivery.
Characteristics of Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Sexually transmitted diseases don't forever cause symptoms or will solely cause delicate symptoms. Therefore, it is not surprising that some people only find out that they have a sexually transmitted disease after complications arise or when their partner is diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease.
Symptoms that can appear due to sexually transmitted diseases will vary depending on the type of disease, but generally include:
- Bumps, sores, or blisters appear around the penis, vagina, anus, or mouth.
- The vagina or penis feels itchy and burning.
- Pain when urinating or having sex.
- Discharge from the penis (gonorrhea) or vagina (leucorrhoea).
- Lower abdominal pain.
- Fever and chills.
- Swollen lymph nodes or lumps appear in the groin.
- Skin rash appears on the body, hands, or feet.
- Dry penis skin, rash, and redness.
In addition to some of the symptoms above, women can also feel other symptoms, namely bleeding outside the menstrual period and an unpleasant odor from the vagina. This is also one of the signs and symptoms of female genital disease. While in men, other symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases that can be experienced are pain, bloody sperm, or swelling of the testicles.
Various Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Sexually transmitted diseases can be caused by bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections. Here are the following types of sexually transmitted diseases:
1. Syphilis
Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. The disease, also known as the “lion king”, causes sores on the genitals or mouth. It is through this wound that transmission will occur.
2. Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea, conjointly referred to as clap, is caused by the microorganism gonococcus. This malady causes discharge from the phallus or epithelial duct and pain once urinating. The bacteria that cause gonorrhea can also cause infection in other parts of the body, if it comes in contact with sperm or vaginal fluids.
3. Human papillomavirus (HPV)
This sexually transmitted infection is caused by a virus with the same name, namely HPV. The HPV virus can cause genital warts to cervical cancer in women. Symptoms of early stage cervical cancer are often asymptomatic or even asymptomatic. HPV transmission occurs through direct contact or sexual intercourse with sufferers.
4. HIV infection
HIV infection is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus that attacks the immune system. The spread of this virus can occur through unprotected sex, sharing the use of syringes, blood transfusions, or during childbirth.
5. Chlamydia
This sexually transmitted infection is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. In women, chlamydia attacks the cervix. Whereas in men, attacks the urinary outlet in the penis. Transmission can occur from wounds in the genital area.
6. Trichomoniasis
This sexually transmitted malady is caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomoniasis disease can cause vaginal discharge in women or even cause no symptoms, so often someone unknowingly transmits this disease to their sexual partners.
7. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C
This disease is caused by viral hepatitis, and can lead to chronic liver disorders to liver cancer. The virus is found in the blood or body fluids of patients. In addition to sexual intercourse, this virus can be transmitted through shared needles and organ transplants.
8. Tinea cruris
A sexually transmitted infection caused by this fungus attacks the skin around the genitals, inner thighs, and buttocks. Tinea cruris is characterized by a red, itchy rash on the infected skin. Transmission is through direct contact with sufferers or touching objects that have been infected.
9. Genital herpes
Genital herpes is caused by a viral infection. This virus is inactive or hiding in the body without causing symptoms. It spreads through direct contact with an infected partner.
10. Candidiasis
This disease is caused by the fungus Candida. Candidiasis is characterized by rashes or blisters that appear on the skin, especially in the folds of the skin. Just like different sexually transmitted infections, transmission of this disease will occur through sexual contact with sufferers.
11. Granuloma inguinale
Granuloma inguinale or donovanosis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by infection with the bacterium Klebsiella granulomatis. This condition is characterized by the appearance of lumps and sores in the groin, penis, anus, or in the scrotum.
Complications of Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Detection and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases need to be done early. If left untreated, sexually transmitted diseases can cause the following complications:
- Inflammation of the eye
- Arthritis
- Pelvic pain
- Pelvic inflammation
- Infertility
- Heart disease
- Cervical cancer
- Anal cancer
- Anal abscess
Sexually transmitted diseases can also cause complications in pregnancy. Some sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV, and syphilis, can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus during pregnancy or during delivery. This condition can trigger miscarriage and health problems or birth defects in the baby.
When to go to the doctor
Immediately consult a doctor if you experience complaints in the intimate organs or the symptoms above. You also need to see a doctor if your partner is known to have a sexually transmitted disease, or if you have risky sexual relations, such as without a condom, using the wrong condom, and frequently changing partners.
Sexually Transmitted Disease Test
If you experience symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease, the doctor will ask about sexual intercourse and the disease you have suffered. Then, the patient will undergo several tests to detect the presence of viruses or bacteria that cause sexually transmitted diseases.
The tests that will be carried out are blood tests and urine tests. This test is done to detect viruses or bacteria that cause sexually transmitted diseases. The doctor also will do a swab check to require samples of body fluids round the reproductive organ space. This sample will then be examined in the laboratory.
Sexually Transmitted Disease Treatment
Treatment of sexually transmitted diseases is adjusted to the cause of the infection, through the administration of the following drugs:
1. Antibiotics
Antibiotics are wont to treat varied sexually transmitted diseases caused by microorganism infections, like gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. Antibiotics should still be taken, even if the symptoms have improved. This is done to prevent the infection from happening again.
The doctor will also advise the patient not to have sex until the treatment period ends and the symptoms disappear. Types of antibiotics given include penicillin, doxycycline, amoxicillin, and erythromycin. In addition to killing bacteria, antibiotics such as metronidazole can kill parasites in trichomoniasis. This drug is available in tablet form orally or in preparations that are inserted into the vagina.
2. Anti Virus
Treatment with antiviral drugs only aims to relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of spreading. The types of antiviral drugs used to treat genital herpes are acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir. As for hepatitis, the medicine given embrace entecavir, interferon, and lamivudine.
3. Antifungal
For sexually transmitted diseases caused by fungi, such as candidiasis, the doctor will give antifungal creams that are applied to the vagina, such as nystatin and clotrimazole. Antifungal drugs in tablet form can also be prescribed by a doctor, such as fluconazole and miconazole.
Preventing Sexually Transmitted Diseases
The main step to prevent sexually transmitted diseases is to apply safe sex behavior, namely using condoms and not changing sexual partners. In addition, there are several other preventive measures that can be taken, namely:
- Get to know each other's sexual partners.
- Get vaccinated, especially the HPV and hepatitis B vaccines.
- Not using drugs, especially by sharing needles.
- Perform regular health checks, especially those related to the reproductive organs.
- Men can perform circumcision to reduce the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.
Patients with sexually transmitted diseases mustn't have sex till the disease is asserted cured by a doctor. This is done to prevent transmission of the disease to partners.
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