Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are on the increase, especially for people aged 16 to 24, as reported by the UK’s Health Protection Agency. If you are sexually promiscuous, especially without contraception, or are not in a monogamous relationship, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Disease, as some can cause irreparable damage including infertility.
The Four Common Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
Chlamydia—This STD is the most common and dangerous, since many of the symptoms are undetectable without visiting a Genitourinary (GUM) Clinic. A serious side effect of chlamydia is infertility caused through Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and treated with antibiotics. Currently in place and set up by the Department of Health is the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP), which offers free chlamydia screening to the 15 to 24 year olds most at risk, although anyone can attend for a regular screening.
Gonorrhoea—This STD is caused through Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, a bacterium that can infect the anus, throat, urethra, and cervix. It is estimated that there are over 60 million gonorrhoea cases reported each year, most of which affect more women. If caught in the early stages, gonorrhoea is treatable, but if undiagnosed, it may lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, meningitis, and infertility.
Herpes Simplex Viruses—HSV-1 can result in oral herpes and HSV-2 can result in infectious genital sores.
Syphilis—Spread by the Treponema Pallidium bacterium, syphilis can be caught through sexual contact known as Veneral syphilis, although it is also known for an infected mother to pass Congenital syphilis to her unborn child.
The Symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
Chlamydia—An increase in vaginal discharge, frequent urination, pain or a burning sensation during urination, pain or bleeding after intercourse, abdominal pains, and testicle pain.
Gonorrhoea—Discharge and/or irritation from the anus, abnormal changes to your vaginal discharge or yellow/white discharge from the penis, or a burning sensation during urination.
Herpes Simplex Viruses—The symptoms may be problematic or may be so mild it is undetected in some people. This makes it easy to spread, especially since the herpes virus can live in the body for years without an outbreak. After exposure, symptoms may occur within 2 to 7 days and last several weeks. Symptoms include tingling or itching sensations in the anal or genital region, painful urination, backache, fever, and headaches.
Syphilis—Symptoms for this STD may take up to three months to become evident. During the very infectious primary stage, ulcers called chancres appear on the body where the syphilis bacterium first entered. The main areas include the cervix or vulva in women, the penis in men, and the mouth and anus in both genders. If it is not treated in the primary stage, the secondary stage symptoms include patchy hair loss, flu-like illness, non-itchy rash appearing in patches or covering the whole body, and white patches on the roof of the mouth or tongue.
How Are Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Tested?
Visiting a GUM clinic for impartial advice is important if you believe you may have caught a common STD. Gonorrhoea and chlamydia are now tested through a urine or cervix sample, and a swab from inside the penis is taken for men. A blood sample is often taken to screen syphilis, or if there are genital sores, a swab sample may be obtained. The herpes virus is more difficult to detect especially since there exists no good screening test for herpes, but a blood test may detect this infection, although the results are not always conclusive.
