Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are disorders that can be passed from one person to another during unprotected sex, including oral or anal sex. There are many types of STDs, also called sexually transmitted infections or STIs, including:
STDs are a major problem. More than one million people around the world contract an STD every day. In South Africa, less than 1% of adults have STDs like syphilis, but other diseases affect many more people — 6% of men and nearly 15% of women have chlamydia.
Undergoing screening for STDs can help you learn more about your health. Treatments can cure many types of STDs and prevent future issues. Some STDs such as HIV can’t be cured, but therapies can relieve symptoms and keep you from spreading the disease to other people.
Symptoms may vary depending on which STD you have. In general, these diseases may lead to:
Many STDs don’t cause any symptoms, so you could have one of these infections without realizing it.
STDs are caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. These germs can spread during sex or through sharing needles while using drugs. They can also be passed from a pregnant person to a foetus.
You are more likely to contract an STD if you:
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
Treatment For Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV)
Treatment For Sexually Transmitted Diseases
STD Vs. STI: What Is The Difference?
What Is The Most Common Outcome Of HPV?
Is It Possible For Me Or My Partner To Have An STI And Not Know It?
If you are sexually active, it’s important to regularly get screened for STDs. You should also undergo screening if you know that you have had sex with someone who has an STD.
Screening may include blood tests, urine tests, cheek swabs, or a genital exam. Your doctor may also collect a sample of cells or fluid from your vagina, penis, or anus.
Some STDs can have serious health consequences if they go untreated. HPV can lead to cancer, for example, and chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (a condition that can lead to infertility). Many of these illnesses can also overwhelm the immune system, increasing your risk of becoming infected with HIV. Therefore, quick diagnosis and treatment of STDs is important.
Treatments vary between different types of STDs. Diseases caused by bacteria, including chlamydia and gonorrhoea, can usually be cured with antibiotics.
Some STDs, such as HIV, can’t be cured. However, antiretroviral therapy or ART can help you stay healthy, eliminate symptoms, and protect your sexual partners.
If you are being treated for an STD, take a break from sex until your infection clears. Sharing a bathroom and engaging in casual contact such as hugging won’t spread the STD.
If you have unprotected sex, you are at risk of getting STDs. You can also get the same STD multiple times, even if you previously underwent treatment for that disease.
Using condoms during sex greatly reduces your risk of STDs. Additionally, dental dams can help protect you from STDs during oral sex. Avoiding sex or only having sex with one person can also allow you to avoid these diseases. If you use drugs, using clean needles can lower your chances of getting an STD.
You can also be protected against HPV and hepatitis with vaccines. People who are at risk for HIV can take preexposure prophylaxis or PrEP — medication that greatly lowers your chances of getting this infection.