STDs

Sexually transmitted diseases also called venereal diseases, STDs, sexually transmitted infections or STIs.

Sexually transmitted diseases are infections or diseases acquired by a person after unprotected sexual relations with a person already infected. These relationships can be anal, vaginal or oral.

Some sexually transmitted diseases are also transmitted by blood contact, by transplantation of tissues and are transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.

Sexually transmitted diseases can be caused by fungi, viruses, bacteria, protozoa (parasites), etc.

Sexually transmitted diseases: risk group

- Having unsafe sex such as anal, vaginal, oral without a condom.

- People with multiple sexual partners that have unprotected sex with strangers.

- Prostitution, unprotected sex with strangers.

- Adolescents, the beginning of sexual life at an early age and the lack of information regarding this topic.

- Drugs and alcohol promote high-risk sexual behaviours and also by sharing needles.

- Homosexuality in men, since anal sex can easily cause injuries to the anus and facilitate the entry of microbes.

- Victims of sexual abuse or rape by one or more assailants, as they may be infected and are not using contraception.

Sexually transmitted diseases: control and prevention

To better control sexually transmitted diseases we need to improve our general sexual and reproductive health.

Prevention is very important in the management of these diseases, especially in the viral type such as HIV and herpes, as these have no cure and prevention is the only way to prevent further spreading.

Here are some tips on preventing sexually transmitted diseases:

- Suspicions you may have a disease, whenever you suspect you may have a disease, either through sexual contact or infected fluids with someone, you must visit the doctor.

- Maintain relationships with a single partner in this case, both partners should be tested before initiating sexual contact, especially if one of the partners has had any risky contact before this relationship.

- Use condoms with strangers, as they are proven to be effective (95% approx.) in the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.

- Pregnant women, every woman should have blood tests when she knows or thinks she knows that she is pregnant because diseases can be transmitted to the unborn child.

- Injuries to the genitals, before you get any blister or pimple on the sexual organs you should seek medical attention to diagnose the cause.

Sexually transmitted diseases: more common

Here are some of the more common sexually transmitted diseases:

AIDS                         Amebiasis                           Bacterial vaginosis                      Chancroid     

Chlamydia                Condylomata                       Crabs                                         Cytomegalovirus  

Genital herpes          Genital thrush                      Gonorrhoea                               Granuloma inguinale

Hepatitis B               Human papillomavirus          Infectious mononucleosis           Lymphogranuloma venereum

Molluscums              Mycoplasma genitalium        Non gonococcal urethritis        Pelvic inflammatory disease

Scabies                    Syphilis                                  Trichomoniasis