A sexually transmitted disease, also known as an STD, is a type of infection that is transmitted from one person to another through sexual activities. STD infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites, making treatment necessary when diagnosed with an STD. These activities consist of any type of sexual contact that includes the vagina, the anus, the mouth and/or bodily fluids, i.e. semen, vaginal fluids, blood. The fact that an STD can be transmitted through blood makes it a good idea for people not to borrow other people’s razors or anything else that can come into contact with their blood or bodily fluids.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are approximately 19 million new STD infections every year with almost half of them among young people 15 to 24 years of age.
A sexually transmitted disease is transmitted from one person to another via sexual acts. This means anyone who is sexually active could potentially have a sexually transmitted disease. Risk factors that increase a woman’s chances of being diagnosed with one or more STDs include having unprotected sex and having more than one sexual partner. The fact that an STD will often not exhibit any signs or symptoms makes it essential for those who are sexually active to get regularly tested so they do not pass it on to their sexual partners.
Using the right type of protection is an essential part of a woman’s ability to protect herself from getting a sexually transmitted disease. There are different types of condoms available nowadays, including female condoms, male condoms and dental dams.
While it is possible for someone to not experience any symptoms when they have a sexually transmitted disease, there is a list of common STD symptoms that can appear when someone is living with a sexually transmitted disease. These symptoms include the following:
There are more than 20 different types of STDs that a woman can be diagnosed with nowadays, of which all can be treated and most can be cured.
Current recommendations are that a woman should get a pap smear every three to five years. The amount of time in between pap smears is based on each individual woman’s particular situation and is, therefore, a decision that is made between her and her medical professional. While it may not always be an easy discussion for some women to have with their medical professional, it is always a good idea for them to be completely open and honest about their sexual activities. The discussion will never leave the room.
Once a diagnosis has been made, it is important to start any treatment prescribed by the medical professional as soon as absolutely possible. It is necessary for those diagnosed to refrain from any sexual activities until their infection is completely cured. For viral infections and bacterial infections, it is necessary for both partners to be treated and cured before resuming sexual activities.
It is often easier to treat a bacterial STD, as STDs that are caused by a virus will often need to be managed as they are not always able to be cured.
Treatment options for STDs include taking prescription antibiotics, which may include taking just one dose. If antibiotics need to be taken in more than one dose then it is essential to complete the entire antibiotic treatment or it will simply not work. Treatment can also involve taking prescription antiviral drugs, which although helps to suppress the infection will not cure the infection.
We invite you to come to see us at our office if you are experiencing any of the symptoms above or it has been more than one year since you have been tested for sexually transmitted diseases. It is possible that an STD can cause you to be infertile, and it can also increase your chances of experiencing any complications if you are thinking about getting pregnant.
Most people think they would know if they had a sexually transmitted infection (STI) . . . wrong! The truth is many of STIs have no signs or symptoms in the majority of people infected. Or they have mild signs that can be easily overlooked. This is why the term “disease” (as in STD) is starting to be replaced by infection (or STI). Getting tested can be quick and easy. Depending on what you are being tested for, your provider may take a blood sample, a swab, or ask you to pee in a cup. If you’ve had unprotected sex, have a new partner (or more than one partner), or for any reason are worried you have been exposed to an STI, talk to your healthcare provider about getting tested be tested for these leading common STIs: chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, herpes, HPV, syphilis and trichomoniasis. If your healthcare provider feels you do not need to be checked for some of these, you will at least know which ones you were tested for and which ones you were not. We offer the following and more:
Chlamydia
Swab of genital area or urine sample
For chlamydia and gonorrhea: If you have had oral or anal sex, let your healthcare provider know this also. These sites may be infected, but vaginal or urine samples may not be positive
Gonorrhea
Swab of genital area or urine sample
For chlamydia and gonorrhea: If you have had oral or anal sex, let your healthcare provider know this also. These sites may be infected, but vaginal or urine samples may not be positive
HIV
Blood test or swab from inside of mouth
Confidential and anonymous testing options are available in many clinics
Genital herpes (no symptoms)
Blood test (drawn from arm or a fingerstick)
Be sure to ask for a type-specific IgG test (not an IgM test)
Genital herpes (with symptoms)
Swab of affected area; if at first negative for herpes, follow later with blood test to make sure
Must be done as soon as possible; “viral culture” test not as accurate after 48 hours. A negative culture does not mean that you do not have genital herpes.
Syphilis
Blood test, or sample taken from a sore
The CDC recommends all pregnant women be tested for syphilis
Trichomoniasis
Swab of infected area, physical exam or sample of discharge
“Trich” is harder to detect in men than in women
HPV (genital warts)
Visual diagnosis
Warts can occur in both men and women.
HPV (cervical cancer)
If Pap test result is abnormal, HPV DNA test and a biopsy may be done
Pap tests detect cervical cell changes, not HPV. An abnormal test is often caused by HPV infection. No test available for men for these types of HPV.
South Florida Doctors Group is located at
18503 Pines Blvd #306
Pembroke Pines, FL
33029.