Spread & Symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Written by Ellen J. Barrier

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) are diseases that can be transmitted  to other human beings by Sexual behavior (anal, oral or vaginal) an infected person can spread the infection to others without actually showing signs of the disease.  

Other Names for Sexually Transmitted Diseases:

Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)

Venereal  Disease (VD) 

A sexually transmitted disease (STD), also known as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), or venereal disease (VD), is an illness that has a significant probability of transmission through sexual behavior.

Diseases & Related Conditions:

          Bacterial Vaginosis - an infection which symptoms include an odorous vaginal discharge. The vaginal odor may be fish like, and grey in color.

1    Chlamydia - Chlamydia is a silent sexually transmitted disease, caused by Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium. The disease can  affect about three quarters of women and half of men without them knowing they have it.  Parts of the  body  infected:  rectum, urethra, eyes, liver, throat and lungs. In worst cases, it can cause infertility.

        Gonorrhea- a disease affecting the sex organs that is passed on by sexual contact.

    Hepatitis Viral - a group of viral infections that affect the liver . The most common types are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.

 Viral hepatitis, is the leading cause of liver cancer and the most common reason for liver transplantation. An estimated 4.4 million Americans are living with chronic hepatitis; most do not know they are infected. About 80,000 new infections occur each year.

Herpes (Genital) – a sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex virus. It affect the genital and anal regions with painful blisters.

There is no cure for herpes. Treatment can reduce symptoms and decrease the risk of transmission through sexual contact.

HIV/AIDS & STDs: (C.D.C Report)

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection- More than 100 types of HPV exist, more than 40 of which can infect the genital area. Most HPV infections are asymptomatic, unrecognized, or subclinical. Oncogenic, or high-risk HPV types (e.g., HPV types 16 and 18), are the cause of cervical cancers. These HPV types are also associated with other anogenital cancers in men and women, including penile, vulvar, vaginal, and anal cancer, as well a subset of oropharyngeal cancers (404). Nononcogenic, or low-risk HPV types (e.g., HPV types 6 and 11), are the cause of genital warts and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. Asymptomatic genital HPV infection is common and usually self-limited; it is estimated that more than 50% of sexually active persons become infected at least once in their lifetime (405). Persistent oncogenic HPV infection is the strongest risk factor for development of precancers and cancers.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) - PID occurs when certain bacteria, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, move upward from a woman's vagina or cervix (opening to the uterus) into her reproductive organs.

 Syphilis- Signs and symptoms of syphilis include a firm, round, small, and painless sore on the genitals, anus, or mouth, or a rash on the body, especially on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet. Syphilis is easy to cure in its early stages.

Trichomoniasis-The infection often has no symptoms although women are more likely than men to get symptoms. You may notice an unusual genital discharge.

Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is easy to cure.

Without treatment, trichomoniasis can increase a person’s risk of acquiring HIV.

Other Transmittable Diseases:

Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV) -  LGV (Lymphogranuloma venereum) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by three strains of the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. The visual signs include genital papule(s) (e.g., raised surface or bumps) and or ulcers, and swelling of the lymph glands in the genital area.  LGV may also produce rectal ulcers, bleeding, pain, and discharge, especially among those who practice receptive anal intercourse.

Pubic Lice Infestation   ("crab") - Pubic lice infestations  are usually spread through sexual contact.

Pubic lice typically are found attached to hair in the pubic area but sometimes are found on coarse hair elsewhere on the body; eyebrows, eyelashes, beard, mustache, chest, armpits, etc.

Scabies - The most common symptoms of scabies are intense itching and a pimple-like skin rash. The scabies mite usually is spread by direct, prolonged, skin-to-skin contact with a person who has scabies.

Scabies can spread rapidly under crowded conditions where close body contact is frequent. Institutions such as nursing homes, extended-care facilities, and prisons are often sites of scabies outbreaks.

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