Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), or sexually transmitted infections (STIs), are infections that you get from having sex with someone who has the infection. The organisms that cause sexually transmitted diseases may pass from person to person in blood, semen, or vaginal and other bodily fluids. Some infections - such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV, and syphilis - can also be transmitted nonsexually, such as from mother to infant during pregnancy or childbirth, or through blood transfusions or shared needles.

STDs can be caused by bacteria, parasites, and viruses. There are more than 20 types of STDs; the most common include:

• chlamydia
• gonorrhea
• genital herpes
• HIV/AIDS
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• syphilis
• trichomoniasis

Most STDs affect both men and women, but, in many cases, the health problems they cause can be more severe for women. If a pregnant woman has an STD, it can cause serious health problems for the baby.

If you have an STD caused by bacteria or parasites, your healthcare provider can treat it with antibiotics or other medicines. If you have an STD caused by a virus, there is no cure. Sometimes medicines can keep the disease under control. Correct use of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not completely eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading STDs.

STDs can be caused by:

• bacteria (gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia)
• parasites (trichomoniasis)
• viruses (human papillomavirus, genital herpes, HIV)

Sexual activity plays a role in spreading many other infectious agents, although it is possible to be infected without sexual contact. Examples include the hepatitis A, B, and C viruses, shigella, and Giardia intestinalis.

Anyone who is sexually active has a risk of exposure to an STD. Factors that may increase that risk include:

• having unprotected sex. Vaginal or anal penetration by an infected partner who is not correctly wearing a latex condom significantly increases the risk of getting an STD. Improper or inconsistent use of condoms can also increase your risk.
• having sexual contact with multiple partners. The more people you have sexual contact with, the greater your overall exposure risks. This is true for concurrent partners as well as monogamous consecutive relationships.
• having a history of STDs. Being infected with one STD makes it much easier for you to be infected with another STD.
• anyone forced to have sexual intercourse or sexual activity. Dealing with rape or assault can be difficult, but it is important to be seen as soon as possible. Screening, treatment and emotional support can be offered.
• abusing alcohol or using recreational drugs. Substance abuse can inhibit your judgment, making you more willing to participate in risky behaviors.
• injecting drugs. Needle sharing spreads many serious infections, including HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. If you acquire HIV by injecting drugs, you can transmit it sexually.
• being an adolescent female. In adolescent girls, the immature cervix is made up of constantly changing cells. These unstable cells make the adolescent female cervix more vulnerable to certain sexually transmitted organisms.
• being a man who requests prescriptions for drugs to treat erectile dysfunction. Men who ask their doctors for prescriptions for certain drugs, such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra), have higher rates of STIs. Be sure you are up to date on safe sex practices if you ask your doctor for one of these medications.

Get tested if you are sexually active or a partner has an STD, since many STDs have no symptoms. See your doctor for unusual discharge, sores, burning with urination, or pelvic pain, as early treatment prevents complications.