Symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Sexually transmitted diseases are contracted when people engage in sexual intercourse with many partners indiscriminately without getting to know them and their sexual pasts, especially in cases where such intercourse happens without the aid of prophylactic protection. It is not necessary for sexually transmitted diseases to spread; even skin to skin contact or contact with towels or bed linens can be enough for some of the diseases to spread from person to person.

The Many Types of STDs and Their Symptoms

Some common sexually transmitted diseases are Genital warts, crab lice, scabies, the clap, and syphilis, Chlamydia, Herpes, Hepatitis B and HIV which leads to AIDS. Some of the diseases can cause fatalities or infertility in both the sexes and most of the symptoms are vague and can be very easily missed or mistaken for something else. So it is quite difficult to recognize the symptoms of these diseases at an early stage.

Human Papillovirus: HPV causes most of the common sexually transmitted diseases in general, including genital warts, which might later lead to cancer of the cervix or the anus. There are no significant symptoms for the warts.

Pubic Lice: Pubic lice or crabs are lice that are an infestation of the pubic area and are different from the head lice; usual symptoms like itching and crawling feeling associated with head lice are present in this infestation.

Scabies: Scabies is an itchy infestation caused by mites that burrow under the human skin to lay its eggs. Symptoms are intense itching, especially at nights with pimple like rashes.

Chlamydia: This is generally non-symptomatic in most people; usual symptoms include burning while urination, discharge from the penis and vagina, pelvic inflammatory lesions, leading to malignant lesions occasionally.

Genital Herpes: This disease can exhibit symptoms like blisters, bumps and sores on the genital areas in both men and women, along with vaginal discharge; sometimes there can be associated pain in the legs, buttocks and the genital areas. Symptoms can appear, then disappear and then re-appear in many cases. Though there is no cure, there are medications available to relieve symptoms.

Gonorrhea: This is another sexually transmitted disease which displays symptoms like bloody or yellow color discharge accompanied by pain and burning. But many men show no symptoms and while the disease can be completely cured if caught early, it can also be recurring.

Hepatitis B: This can also be sexually transmitted; it shows symptoms like head ache, muscle ache, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite. Dark colored yellowish urine and pale smelly bowel output are indicative of Hepatitis B; about 30% of those with the disease display no symptoms, so it is difficult to diagnose. With the widespread use of Hepatitis B vaccination in children, it is slowly disappearing.

HIV: HIV infection, and the resultant AIDS can be contracted even with the exchange of bodily fluids or by use of the same needle amongst drug users, some of whom may already be infected. Even a single sexual contact can be enough for the HIV to spread from person to person; there is also transmission of the disease from parent to child. However even for up to a decade after contracting the virus, there can be no symptoms; only when it develops into AIDS, the symptoms start appearing. Some common symptoms in both sexes include fatigue, yeast infections, vaginal infections and pelvic infections.

Syphilis: This is another sexually transmitted disease which can be fatal if left untreated; it takes about 2 to 6 weeks for the infection to develop when first contracted; in the primary stage, there are sore spots on the hands and palms; left untreated it progresses to the second stage and symptoms can be skin rashes that clear by themselves and then re-appear. Other symptoms include fever, sore throat, swollen lymph glands, headaches, weight loss and muscular weakness. In the later stages, the symptoms disappear but the infection remains and can lead to damage to the nerves, brain, heart, blood vessels, liver and joints. In the final stages, gradual blindness, dementia, paralysis, numbness and possible death can occur.

If you are sexually active with many partners, especially without prior knowledge about their sexual history, then the best way to protect yourself is to go for regular screening. In high risk groups like drug users, it is imperative to get regular screening done frequently.

Source: http://www.lifemojo.com/lifestyle/symptoms-of-sexually-transmitted-diseases-stds-132166449