There has always been a confusing between sexually transmitted infections and Sexually transmitted Diseases , but to let you know both are different. Sexually transmitted Diseases and How to Treat Them
An Infection is caused in hen a bacterial, virus or parasite attacks the body and comes before a disease is taking place.
An Infection may have no symptoms at all, whereas a disease has clear signs and symptoms.
Now when you know the difference between the two, you can conclude to ways to treat them and how you can prevent them.
Sexually transmitted Diseases Symptoms.
If a sexually transmitted disease initially starts with a symptomatic sexually transmitted infection you might experience the following symptoms :
1- discomfort and pain during sexual Activities
2- pain and discomfort during urination.
3- painful and swollen testicles.
4- itching in or around vagina
5- unusual discharge or bleeding from vagina or penis.
6- rashes, bumps, sores on or around the vagina, penis, anus, buttocks, mouth and sexually active areas.
7- bleeding after sexual activities or unexpected periods.
But there a point to remember that some STIs may have no symptoms.
If the STI is further developed into a STD, the symptoms can vary, while some also may be similar as the conditions mentioned above, such as painful periods.
But other symptoms can be a quite different and depends on which STD, they may include.
- fever
- fatigue
- nausea
- weight loss
- memory loss
- changes to vision
- recurring pain
- lumps or swelling
STD Underlying Causes
All Sexually Transmitted Diseases are caused by Infections.
The infections are usually transmitted through sexual contact, which includes in body fluids or skin contacts via oral sex, vagina, anal.
While some of the infections may never become a disease, if they treated at an early stage, or when they go by themselves.
But in other conditions if the pathogen that caused the infections damages the cells in the body and damages the normal function of the cell, the infections may this develop into a sexually transmitted disease.
Types of STDs
There are a number of types of STIs, but there are a fewer number of STDs.
They range from PID ( Pelvic inflammatory disease) caused by Infection like Chlamydia and gonorrhoea to some forms of cancer.
1- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Chlamydia, trichomoniasis and gonorrhoea are some common Sexually Transmitted Infections that can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease if they are not treated at the correct time.
There are also other bacterial infections that can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease other than the ones caused STIs.
According to CDC ( Centre of Disease Control and Prevention) approx 2.5 million women have been diagnosed with PID.
This infection of the female reproductive system is classified as a disease, while some people experience no symptoms.
The symptoms may include :
1- lower abdomen pain( pelvic region).
2- irregular, painful and heavy periods
3- pain and discomfort during sexual Activities.
4- pain and discomfort during urination.
5- unusual vaginal discharge
6- nausea and high temperature
2- Tertiary Syphilis
The uncommon infection at it early stage of syphilis is considered as an STI.
One or more circular sore are seen around the anus, genitals and mouth. If this condition is left untreated, syphilis will move to its latent phase and will show no symptoms.
The disease can have serious illness in other parts of the body, which can lead to
– loss of hearing
– loss of vision
– memory loss
– heart diseases
– mental health conditions
– infections in the brain
– infections in the spinal cord
The early stage of the condition can be diagnosed and treated and will cause less damage to the body.
Penicillin injections may be given to treat and remove the bacteria from the body, but it cannot recover the damage that it has already done.
3- Cancer
Although some strains of HPV may cause ni disease, some may also cause abnormal cell damage
They can cause Cancer, which includes:
1- oral cancer
2- cervical cancer
3- vulvar cancer
4- penile cancer
5- anal cancer
HPV causes almost all cervical cancers and 90% anal cancers, 75% vaginal cancers and over 60% penile cancers.
Symptoms can vary, depending upon the body part that they have affected.
Swelling, bleeding lumps and pain can be some of the common symptoms.
If Cancer is diagnosed, in early stage chemotherapy and radiotherapy must be done immediately.
4- Genital Warts
HPV also has some lower risk strains and cab cause genital warts.
These warts are may be skin coloured of white bump affecting 3 lac people every year.
They may be treated but they are not curable as they are caused by virus, they come and go by themselves when the life cycle of the virus is over.
To remove them you may try chemical creams and liquids.
5 – AIDS
HIV can damage the immune systems and can increase the risk of contracting other bacterial and viruses and can develop certain cancers.
But many with HIV also live a happy and healthy Life, if treated and taken care of.
If left untreated, the virus can leads to AIDS, which is a serious condition and can cause serious infections and illnesses.
People having AIDS may have the following symptoms:
– sores
– extreme fatigue
– infections
– rapid weight loss
– cancers
– neurological disorders
There is no cure for AIDS, and because of the vast variety of this disease that can be contracted as a result of severely weakened immunity.
Diagnosis of Sexually Transmitted Diseases
It’s very hard for healthcare professionals to diagnose Sexually Transmitted Diseases on the basis on the symptoms alone.
So a few tests and examinations and needed to do so.
Depending on the suspected STD, this may include
– physical examination
– swabs of bodily fluids
– blood tests
– specialist procedures such as colposcopy and keyhole surgery.
Treatment for STD
STD may have a lot of different effects on the body.
A number of treatment options and available depending on the condition and severity, which include-
1- antibiotics
2- oral and topical medications
3- Lasers
4- Surgeries.
You may also recommend to make some lifestyle change or some changes in your Sexually activities or routines.
