Step1
Every year millions of new cases of STD infections are diagnosed and three to four million of STD cases are among teenagers and adolescents. Not having sex at all is the only 100 percent effective method of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
To reduce the risk of contracting STDs it is recommended to take precautions and to follow safer sex practices. (read my article on How to Practice Safer Sex). Using latex condom each and every time you have vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse will lower the risk of pregnancy and of contracting an STD, including HIV. Also, remember that engaging in oral sex will also put you at increase risk to getting an STD. Remember if you have an infection with open sores, the infection may be transmitted through the area that is not covered by the condom.
Step2
HERPES. This STD is caused by the Herpes Simplex virus and there are two types, Type 1(HVS-1) and Type 2(HVS-2). The former, found in the saliva of infected individual, usually presents itself in the mouth or lips of the infected person as "blisters or lip sores" (the virus are released from the sores) but it can also present in the genitals if the virus was exposed to saliva of an open sore of an infected person usually via oral-genital sexual contact. HSV-2 is primarily contracted through sexual intercourse via open sores or lesions with a contagious person already infected with the virus. One important fact to know is that this STD once contracted is INCURABLE and the virus will lie dormant in the body's central nervous system until the conditions are right for it to "act up" periodically throughout the person's lifetime causing characteristic "break outs" of painful sores and blisters usually around the lips and genitalia with accompanying signs and symptoms of extreme fatigue, lethargy, sometimes with a low grade fever and muscular aches. The first outbreak usually is the most severe taking a few weeks to heal with subsequent episodes becoming less severe and shorter in duration. It is also important to know that even if the infected person doesn't have an "outbreak" does not rule out the fact that they are still at risk to infect another uninfected person. Some individuals have no or minimal signs and symptoms from the virus.
There is NO CURE but the treatment for herpes outbreak is prescription anti-viral medication from your medical doctor. The only way to prevent from contracting herpes virus is to abstain from sexual intercourse or to practice safer sex, for example, using condoms to reduce the risks of becoming infected or infecting others (using condoms is not 100% effective because the condom might not cover all the open sores and viral shedding may still occur).
Step3
GONORRHEA. This STD is caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria and can be transmitted via sexual intercourse and oral-genital intercourse. The infected person will present with signs and symptoms of painful urination, yellowish-white discharge from the genitals, pain upon bowel movement, and anal irritation. The symptoms appear about a few weeks after exposure to the bacteria and will be accompanied with lower abdominal pain, low grade fever with or without vomiting. In women irregular menstruation might occur. This STD is a common cause of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)in women which could lead to sterility. The bacterium is found in the uterus, fallopian tubes and cervix as well as the anus, mouth and throat. Treatment is usually prescription antibiotics, penicillin or ceftriaxone.
Step4
HPV (GENITAL/VENEREAL WART). This STD is caused by the Human papillomavirus (HPV) and is the common cause of genital warts, specifically caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18, and also called condylomata acuminata. Genital warts are soft, moist, or flesh colored and appear in the genital area within weeks or months after infection. They sometimes appear in clusters that resemble cauliflower-like bumps, and are either raised or flat, small or large. In women the warts present on the vulva and cervix, and inside and surrounding the vagina and anus. In males, they appear on the scrotum or penis. More than 100 different types of HPV exist and 30 types are spread through sexual contact. High-risk types of HPV may cause abnormal Pap smear results and increases the risks of getting cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, or penis. Genital warts are very contagious. You can get them during oral, vaginal, or anal sex with an infected partner. You can also get them by skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who is infected. Asymptomatic infected person can still infect their sexual partner. There are various ways to treat HPV warts.
Using prescription creams and solutions, like imiquimod cream and podofilox antimitotic solution. Your medical doctor will advise and prescribe the most effective and appropriate treatment after diagnosis.
Another method is to surgically remove the warts by using various methods, ie, freezing, burning or laser surgery. For individuals experiencing frequent re-occurrences then interferon injections into the warts is another treatment option. It is important to remember that wart removal does not mean that the virus has been eliminated from the body's circulation. An asymptomatic person can still infect another person.
There is a FDA approved vaccine, Gardasil, available that is highly effective in protecting against two HPV types 16 and 18, that causes around 60 to 70 percent of cervical cancers, and types 6 and 11, the main cause of over 90 percent of venereal Warts.
Step5
TRICHOMONIASIS. This STD is caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. Infected person will present with signs and symptoms of vaginal discharge that is frothy, and yellowish/green in color, extreme itching especially around the vulvular region with characteristic "fishy" odor. There will also be associated abdominal pain and frequent urination. Treatment is usually by prescription medication of a drug called metronidazole. It is important to treat BOTH sexual partners at the same time to prevent reinfection again.
Step6
CHLAMYDIA. This STD is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Infected individuals are usually asymptomatic and will only become aware of it when symptoms occur. The bacterium thrives around the cervix and urethra in women and is a common cause of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) leading to sterility and tubal pregnancy in women. Common signs and symptoms are painful burning sensation upon urination, and odorless discharge. Transmission is via vaginal, oral, and anal intercourse. The bacterium can spread from the mother to the baby during delivery so this is an important fact to know during a women's pregnancy so extra precautions are taken to reduce the risk of infection. Treatment is usually by prescription medication with antibiotics.
Step7
SYPHILIS. This STD is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidium. The pathogenesis and life cycle of this bacterium consists of three stages. The first stage, or initial infection by the bacterium is a painless sore called a CHANCRE. This usually appears around 12-60 days after it has entered the body. After around 3-6 weeks the chancre disappears but will progress to the second stage if not treated. Characteristic signs and symptoms at this stage consists of swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, fever, muscular rashes and pain, loss of appetite and fatigue. A rash or rashes will appear at specific locations on the body, like the soles of the feet, palms of the hands or even cover the entire body.
The important fact to remember is that at both stages 1 and 2, the infected individuals are highly contagious. The third or latent stage is asymptomatic but the bacterium is continuing to cause permanent damage to the internal organs and systems of the body, ie, brain, eyes, heart, nerves, liver and will eventually present many years later as the tertiary stage. Signs and symptoms at this stage will be seen as lack of motor co-ordination, sensory loss, paralysis, hearing loss, blindness, and dementia and even death. Transmission is by direct contact with the chancre or syphilis sore via vaginal, oral, and anus intercourse. The pregnant mother can transmit the infection to the fetus prior to the 16th week of pregnancy, so it is very important to inform your medical doctor if you have a history of contracting syphilis or suspect that you might be infected. Children infected with syphilis may develop severe brain damage or it may cause death. Treatment for syphilis is with prescription penicillin.
Step8
HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV). (This important topic is so vast that I have written a separate article on HIV/AIDS). This is a brief overview. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) have reported more than 1,000,000 Americans may be infected with HIV, one-quarter of whom are unaware of their infection. The epidemic is growing most rapidly and becoming a global epidemic infecting millions of people, especially in third world countries, like Africa and densely populated regions in China.
HIV is spread most often through unprotected sex with an infected partner. The virus can enter the body through the lining of the vagina, vulva, penis, rectum, or mouth during sex. HIV can infect anyone who practices risky behaviors such as sharing needles or syringes, having vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact with an infected person without using a condom or engaging in sexual with a sexual partner that have unknown HIV status. HIV can also be transmitted via transfusion with infected blood, contaminated needles, and from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth. There is no evidence that the virus can spread by contact with saliva or by other bodily fluids like tears, sweat, urine. HIV is not spread through casual contact like sharing utensils or sleeping on same bedsheets. It is important to know that people who have history of STDs are more susceptible to contracting the HIV infection during sexual contact with an infected partner.
Step9
HIV/AIDS. Some of the early symptoms of HIV infection is usually describes as "flu-like" in characteristic, fever, fatigue, headache, swollen lymph nodes. These symptoms usually disappear within a week to a month and are often mistaken for those of another viral infection. During this period, people are very infectious, and HIV is present in large quantities in genital fluids. There is a LATENT period (usually various in individuals but averages around 10 years) before the infected person exhibit the later stages of the virus and becomes symptomatic, ie, onset of AIDS. During the asymptomatic period, the virus is actively multiplying, infecting, and killing cells of the immune system (CD4 cells)where there is a gradual decline in the cell numbers.
The first signs of infection are enlarged lymph nodes or glands, lethargy, fever, night sweats, weight loss, persistent yeast infections,
skin rashes, memory loss. AIDS can present as the following signs and symptoms. Severe night sweats, chills or fever, dry cough, diarrhea, short of breath. Treatment is anti-retroviral medications regimens, ie HARRT therapy, using three or four drug combinations.
Comments
EddieV said
on 2/7/2008 I'm glad someone has the courage and compassion to give this information. It's a good reminder of what is definitely out there and what I can do about it.