Sexually Transmissible Disease

STD Checks

Sexually transmissible diseases are infectious diseases where the primary mode of transmission is through sexual contact.

They may be transmitted from one person to another through blood, semen, vaginal discharge and other body fluids. These infections may also be spread through other nonsexual modes of transmission such as mother to infant during pregnancy or childbirth, sharing of infected needles or infection through blood transfusion.

Sexually transmissible diseases are a major public health concern throughout the world that may increase the risk of other life-threatening conditions including certain cancers and may also cause congenital anomalies in unborn babies of infected mothers.

Causes of sexually transmissible diseases

Sexually transmissible diseases can be caused by various viruses, bacteria or protozoa. Common types of STDs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, syphilis, genital warts or human papilloma virus (HPV) which may also cause cervical cancer in women, and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Sexually transmissible disease checks

Sexually transmissible disease checks are diagnostic procedures employed for the identification of the infection. Sometimes, the sexually transmissible infection does not cause any symptoms and the infected person can continue to transmit the infection unaware of the condition.

Early detection of the infection may be helpful for the successful treatment and prevention of further transmission.

Diagnostic procedures for identification of common STDs include blood tests, urine test, body fluid sample test and specific screening tests for people prone to the infection.

Blood and urine tests are helpful in identifying sexually transmissible infections such as advanced stages of syphilis. Fluid sample testing assists in confirming the type of infection and the causative agent.

STD Screening

Screening refers to the testing of sexually transmissible infections in asymptomatic individuals who are more vulnerable to the infection. Blood and saliva testing is a common screening test for the HIV virus in patients within the age group of 13 -64 years.

Screening test for HIV, hepatitis B, chlamydia and syphilis are mandatory in pregnant women, during the first prenatal visit.  Pregnant women may also be at an increased risk of developing gonorrhea and hepatitis C. Hence, screening tests for gonorrhea and hepatitis C are also recommended during pregnancy.  

Sexually active women, homosexual men and HIV positive individuals are more prone to the other sexual transmissible infections.  Regular screening is advisable for early detection and appropriate management of these infections.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STI)

They are infectious diseases caused by bacteria or virus that spread from one person to another by sexual contact.

Adolescents who are sexually active may develop STIs because of lack of sex education and intense sexual experimentation.

Common Types of Sexually Transmitted Infections

The most common Sexually Transmitted Infections are

  • chlamydia,

  • genital herpes,

  • AIDS, and

  • Gonorrhea.

Symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Infections

Some of the commonly occurring symptoms include

  • vaginal discharge,

  • pain in the lower abdomen,

  • skin rash,

  • ulcers,

  • blisters around the genital area, and

  • fever.

If Sexually Transmitted Infections are Not Treated

If STIs are not treated, they may lead to more serious problems such as

  • infertility,

  • cancer of the cervix

  • heart damage, and

  • death.

Treatments for Sexually Transmitted Infections

Non-surgical treatment includes

  • antibiotics such as penicillins, cefixime, tetracyclines, azithromycin, or erythromycin and

  • antiviral medications such as acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir.