wingsofanangel
08-24-2008, 04:21 PM
Overview
Sexually transmitted disease, or STD, refers to any disease caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI). STIs are transmitted from one person to another during sexual contact.
What is going on in the body?
Infections and diseases are passed from one person to another in many ways. The common cold virus (or the common cold), for example, could be caught during sexual activity. However, the cold virus is not considered an STI and the cold not considered a STD because sex is not the primary way a cold virus or a cold is transferred from one person to another.
Sexual activity refers to contact between the genitals of one partner and the genitals, anus, eyes, mouth, or throat of the partner.
An STD may be transmitted by bacteria, a virus, or a parasite. These microorganisms can enter the body and infect the skin and mucous linings of the vagina, rectum, urethra, cervix, eyes, mouth, and throat. STDs can be spread by heterosexual or homosexual relations.
What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?
Sexually transmitted diseases can cause a wide variety of symptoms. Commonly, STDs may cause the following symptoms:
• pain, which is most commonly in the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. The pain may get worse during urination. Pain can also be in the anus, throat, or eyes, depending on the type of sexual contact.
• skin rash or other lesions, which can have many different appearances, and may be painful or painless
• itching, usually in the genital or anal area
• a discharge, or drainage of liquid material, from the affected area
• fever
• symptoms throughout the body, such as abdominal distress from hepatitis or joint pain from gonorrhea
Other symptoms will depend on the type and severity of the sexually transmitted disease. Some people may have no symptoms but will be able to transmit the disease to others.
What are the causes and risks of the disease?
The organisms that cause sexually transmitted diseases are passed from one partner to another during sexual intercourse. Any other intimate contact of the genitals, mouth, rectal area, or the sharing of sexual toys can also transmit the organism from one individual to another.
What can be done to prevent the disease?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "The surest way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted disease is to abstain from sexual intercourse, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and you know is uninfected."
How is the disease diagnosed?
Diagnosis of sexually transmitted disease begins with a history and physical exam. Further tests will be performed depending on the STD suspected.
What are the long-term effects of the disease?
Long-term effects vary depending on the type and severity of the sexually transmitted disease, as well as the effectiveness of the treatment.
• Trichomonas and pubic lice have few or no long-term effects other than continued symptoms.
• Chlamydia infections and human papilloma virus infections increase a woman's risk of cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer.
• HIV can result in AIDS and death.
• Chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause infertility in women.
• Hepatitis B can cause permanent liver damage, liver cancer, and death.
• Syphilis can cause permanent brain and heart damage.
What are the risks to others?
All sexually transmitted diseases are contagious. Those who have an STD should not have sexual contact with another person until they receive treatment or until the infection has cleared. All STDs can be transmitted to babies while they are in the uterus or during delivery. Effects of STD infection on babies depend on the disease transmitted and effectiveness of treatment. Effects can include localized infections, congenital abnormalities, or even death.
What are the treatments for the disease?
Chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomonas, pubic lice, and syphilis can be cured with antibiotics. Genital herpes, hepatitis B, and HIV cannot be cured, but they often can be treated with medications to lessen symptoms and damage to the body. Genital warts from human papilloma virus can be removed, but the warts may come back. All sexual partners need to be informed, tested, and treated, if necessary.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Antibiotics may cause allergic reactions, stomach upset, and rash. The methods used to destroy genital warts may irritate or damage nearby healthy skin.
What happens after treatment for the disease?
Many sexually transmitted diseases can be cured completely. It is important to notify and treat all sexual partners to prevent spreading of the STD. If a partner is not treated, the affected person may catch the STD again.
How is the disease monitored?
Some STDs need no monitoring after treatment. Others, such as HIV and hepatitis B, need frequent blood tests to monitor the effects of the disease on the body. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare professional.
-Source Discoveryhealth.com
Sexually transmitted disease, or STD, refers to any disease caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI). STIs are transmitted from one person to another during sexual contact.
What is going on in the body?
Infections and diseases are passed from one person to another in many ways. The common cold virus (or the common cold), for example, could be caught during sexual activity. However, the cold virus is not considered an STI and the cold not considered a STD because sex is not the primary way a cold virus or a cold is transferred from one person to another.
Sexual activity refers to contact between the genitals of one partner and the genitals, anus, eyes, mouth, or throat of the partner.
An STD may be transmitted by bacteria, a virus, or a parasite. These microorganisms can enter the body and infect the skin and mucous linings of the vagina, rectum, urethra, cervix, eyes, mouth, and throat. STDs can be spread by heterosexual or homosexual relations.
What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?
Sexually transmitted diseases can cause a wide variety of symptoms. Commonly, STDs may cause the following symptoms:
• pain, which is most commonly in the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. The pain may get worse during urination. Pain can also be in the anus, throat, or eyes, depending on the type of sexual contact.
• skin rash or other lesions, which can have many different appearances, and may be painful or painless
• itching, usually in the genital or anal area
• a discharge, or drainage of liquid material, from the affected area
• fever
• symptoms throughout the body, such as abdominal distress from hepatitis or joint pain from gonorrhea
Other symptoms will depend on the type and severity of the sexually transmitted disease. Some people may have no symptoms but will be able to transmit the disease to others.
What are the causes and risks of the disease?
The organisms that cause sexually transmitted diseases are passed from one partner to another during sexual intercourse. Any other intimate contact of the genitals, mouth, rectal area, or the sharing of sexual toys can also transmit the organism from one individual to another.
What can be done to prevent the disease?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "The surest way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted disease is to abstain from sexual intercourse, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and you know is uninfected."
How is the disease diagnosed?
Diagnosis of sexually transmitted disease begins with a history and physical exam. Further tests will be performed depending on the STD suspected.
What are the long-term effects of the disease?
Long-term effects vary depending on the type and severity of the sexually transmitted disease, as well as the effectiveness of the treatment.
• Trichomonas and pubic lice have few or no long-term effects other than continued symptoms.
• Chlamydia infections and human papilloma virus infections increase a woman's risk of cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer.
• HIV can result in AIDS and death.
• Chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause infertility in women.
• Hepatitis B can cause permanent liver damage, liver cancer, and death.
• Syphilis can cause permanent brain and heart damage.
What are the risks to others?
All sexually transmitted diseases are contagious. Those who have an STD should not have sexual contact with another person until they receive treatment or until the infection has cleared. All STDs can be transmitted to babies while they are in the uterus or during delivery. Effects of STD infection on babies depend on the disease transmitted and effectiveness of treatment. Effects can include localized infections, congenital abnormalities, or even death.
What are the treatments for the disease?
Chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomonas, pubic lice, and syphilis can be cured with antibiotics. Genital herpes, hepatitis B, and HIV cannot be cured, but they often can be treated with medications to lessen symptoms and damage to the body. Genital warts from human papilloma virus can be removed, but the warts may come back. All sexual partners need to be informed, tested, and treated, if necessary.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Antibiotics may cause allergic reactions, stomach upset, and rash. The methods used to destroy genital warts may irritate or damage nearby healthy skin.
What happens after treatment for the disease?
Many sexually transmitted diseases can be cured completely. It is important to notify and treat all sexual partners to prevent spreading of the STD. If a partner is not treated, the affected person may catch the STD again.
How is the disease monitored?
Some STDs need no monitoring after treatment. Others, such as HIV and hepatitis B, need frequent blood tests to monitor the effects of the disease on the body. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare professional.
-Source Discoveryhealth.com