Common STIs, or sexually transmitted infections
Common STIs, or sexually transmitted infections
How Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Spread, How They Are Diagnosed, and How They Are Treated
Know what gonorrhea is?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like gonorrhea are very common. They are caused by germs. It can affect the genitalia, rectum, and throat, and it can be passed from person to person through sexual contact without protection.
How do you know if you have gonorrhea?
The signs of gonorrhea can be different. Men may have painful urination, odd fluid from the penis, and testicles that are swollen or hurt. Women may have vaginal fluid that isn't usual, painful urination, and pain in the pelvis or abdomen. However, a lot of people who are sick might not have any signs, especially in the beginning.
How does gonorrhea get passed on?
Gonorrhea is mostly spread through physical interaction, like oral, vaginal, or anal sex. It can also be passed from a woman who has it to her baby while she is giving birth.
How is gonorrhea found?
To make a diagnosis, samples from places that might be affected are tested. These could be urine, vaginal swabs, or swabs from the urethra (for men). Swabs from the throat or rectum may also be used if an infection is thought to be present in those areas.
How do you treat gonorrhea?
Antibiotics can be used to treat gonorrhea. It is very important to take all of the antibiotics as directed, even if your symptoms get better before the end of the term.
What can happen if you don't treat gonorrhea?
Going without treatment for gonorrhea can cause very bad problems. In women, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can make it impossible to get pregnant, cause an ectopic pregnancy, or cause ongoing pelvic pain. If men with gonorrhea don't get treatment, it can lead to epididymitis, a painful condition of the testicles. Gonorrhea can also make you more likely to get HIV, and it can be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby during birth, where it could cause the baby to get eye infections or asthma.
How can you avoid getting gonorrhea?
To avoid getting gonorrhea, you should have safe sex and use a condom correctly and regularly. Getting checked for STIs regularly and limiting the number of sexual partners you have are both very important ways to avoid getting them. Indirectly, getting a shot against other STIs, like HPV, may also lower the risk of getting gonorrhea.
Chlamydia: What is it?
Sexually tansmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia are very common. It's common, especially among young people, and it can spread to the throat, genitalia, and rectum.
What signs do you have chlamydia?
Like with gonorrhea, a lot of people who have chlamydia might not have any signs, especially at the beginning. Sometimes, the symptoms aren't very bad, and you might not even know you have an infection. Some common signs are vaginal fluid that isn't normal, pain or burning during urination, pain during sexual activity, and for men, testicular pain.
How does chlamydia get passed on?
It is possible to get chlamydia through oral, anal, and vaginal sex. It can also be passed from a woman who has it to her baby while she is giving birth. The bacteria can affect the throat, genitalia, and rectum, and it can be passed on even if the person doesn't have any signs.
What happens if you don't treat chlamydia?
If you don't treat chlamydia, it can cause major health problems. In women, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can make it impossible to get pregnant, cause an ectopic pregnancy, or cause ongoing pelvic pain. If men with chlamydia don't get it addressed, it can lead to epididymitis, a painful condition of the testicles. Chlamydia can also make you more likely to get HIV, and it can be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby during birth, where it could cause the baby to get eye infections or asthma.
How can I avoid getting chlamydia?
Getting rid of chlamydia is similar to getting rid of gonorrhea. This means having safe sex, using condoms properly and repeatedly, limiting the number of sexual partners, and getting tested for STIs on a regular basis.
Herpes
What is herpes?
A virus called herpes can be spread through sexual contact. People who have herpes will always have it, and the virus can do nothing in the body for a long time.
What signs do men and women having herpes show?
Men may have sores or boils that hurt on or around the penis, pain or burning when they urinate, and itchiness or tingling in the genital area. Painful sores or blisters on or around the vagina, pain or burning when urinating, and itching or tingling in the vaginal area are some of the signs women can have.
How does herpes get spread?
Herpes is mostly spread by being close to someone who has it, especially during sexual action or oral-to-genital touch. The virus can be passed on even if there are no spots or other signs that can be seen. It can also be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby during birth, which can be very bad for the baby.
Is there a way to get rid of herpes?
Herpes can't be cured, but antiviral drugs can help handle the symptoms and make attacks less frequent and less severe. These medicines can also lower the chance of giving the virus to other people.
How does herpes make things worse?
Herpes usually doesn't put your life in danger, but it can be painful and annoying when it happens.
How can I avoid getting herpes?
To avoid getting herpes, stay away from people who have it during their outbreaks, use condoms or tooth dams when you're sexually active, and take antiviral drugs as your doctor tells you to lower the risk of spreading the disease. It's important to keep in mind, though, that these steps might not completely protect you from the virus.
Syphilis:
What does syphilis mean?
The bacteria that cause syphilis are spread through physical contact. As it gets worse, it goes through several steps and can impact many body parts and organs if not handled.
What signs do men and women of syphilis show?
Syphilis can cause sores or blisters on the vaginal area that don't hurt, a rash on the middle or limbs of the body, and swelling in the neck, armpits, or groin.
How does syphilis get passed on?
Sexual interaction, such as vaginal, anal, and oral sex, is the main way that syphilis is spread. It can also be passed from a woman who has it to her baby while she is pregnant or giving birth.
How do you treat syphilis?
Antibiotics are a good way to treat syphilis, especially in the early stages of the infection. Penicillin is the best antibiotic to use, but people who are allergic to penicillin may need to use another one. Treatment is necessary to get rid of the illness, stop it from getting worse, and lower the risk of spreading it to other people.
What problems can happen if you don't treat syphilis?
Neurosyphilis (an infection of the nervous system), cardiovascular syphilis (an infection of the heart and blood vessels), and gummatous syphilis (the growth of soft tissue masses) can all happen if you don't treat syphilis.
How can people avoid getting syphilis?
Safe sex, using condoms frequently and properly, limiting the number of sexual partners, and getting tested for STIs on a regular basis are all ways to avoid getting syphilis. To stop syphilis from being passed from mother to child, pregnant women should get prenatal care and get tested for it.
The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
What is an HPV virus, and how does it connect to cancer and warts?
HPV infection, which stands for "human papillomavirus infection," is a virus that can make skin growths called warts. Even though most HPV cases don't turn into cancer, some kinds of HPV can. These include cancers of the throat, vaginal area, penile area, anal area, and cervical area.
What are the signs of an HPV virus, especially when it comes to warts?
How an HPV infection shows up can be different based on the type of HPV involved. HPV-related warts can look like little bumps on the skin. You can get these warts in many places, like your genitalia, anus, mouth, hands, and feet. Additionally, some HPV infections, especially those that lead to pubic warts, might not show any signs at all.
How does HPV get passed on, and what are the chances of getting it?
Most of the time, HPV infections are spread through close skin touch, like during sexual action or other close contact. Having multiple sexual partners, having sex without protection, having a weak immune system, and touching surfaces or items that have the virus on them can all make you more likely to get HPV.
How do you treat an HPV infection?
HPV-related warts can be treated with external medicines, freezing, or surgical removal. But HPV itself can't be cured, and the virus may stay in the body even after treatment.
Is it possible to avoid getting HPV?
Safe sex, getting vaccinated, and staying away from skin-to-skin touch with affected areas are all things that can help stop HPV cases.
Regular checkups and tests can also help find and treat HPV problems early on.
What are the possible problems or risks that come with having an HPV infection?
Some types of the HPV virus can raise the risk of getting cancer over time, but most infections don't cause major health problems. For instance, having a high-risk HPV infection for a long time can cause cervical cancer, which can be fatal if not found and addressed quickly.
HPV infections can also lead to other types of cancer, such as throat, vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and vaginal cancer. Additionally, HPV-related warts may be painful, ugly, or likely to bleed, especially if they are in a sensitive area.
What should people do if they think they have warts or other signs connected to HPV?
It's important to see a doctor if you think you have warts caused by HPV or if you have any other signs of an HPV infection, like skin changes or swellings that don't make sense. You can get a full checkup from your doctor, who can then identify the problem and suggest the best way to treat it.
Is there anything else people should know about HPV infections and how to treat them?
People should know that getting an HPV virus is common and can usually be treated with the right care and safety steps. Even though HPV can't be cured, finding it early, getting screened regularly, and getting vaccinated can help lower the chance of problems and improve health in general.