All About STDs and Who Gets Them

There has been a consistent rise in the number of sexually transmitted diseases, including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis between 2014 to 2018. Research shows that there are 2.4 million cases of these three common STDs. It sounds like a lot, right? But do you know that the number is actually more than that? Yes, there are many undiagnosed and untreated cases of STDs or STIs. Every year, an estimated 20 million new cases of STIs happen, causing the cost of healthcare to inflate.

We aim to explain to you what STDs are about, how to diagnose, prevent, and treat them as well.

What’s an STD?

Sexually transmitted diseases or STDs are diseases contracted via sexual intercourse. They are also known as sexually transmitted infections, STIs.

What are the most common STDs?

On the list are chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), syphilis, human papillomavirus (HPV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). People infected with many of these STDs may not show symptoms over a long period, but the disease can cause harm and can be passed during sex from one person to another.

How is STD transmitted?

People usually contract STDs through sex, be it anal, oral, or vaginal. But some STIs can be contracted via close skin-to-skin contact without sexual intercourse. For instance, HPV can never be transmitted via skin-to-skin touching. Also, a viral skin disease known as molluscumcontagiosum can be contacted via casual or sexual contact. People get scabies from an infected bed or sleeping bag, or via a mite infestation.

STDs can affect not only the genitals as oral herpes can spread via oral and vaginal sex.

Signs and symptoms of STD

Bear in mind that STDs may be asymptomatic (show no symptoms). But if you notice any recent discharge from the vagina or urethra, or a recent rash after sexual activity, seek medical attention from a healthcare provider or doctor.

The signs and symptoms of STDs if they do occur can include:

Chlamydia

This is a common STD, and the symptoms of chlamydia can include penile discharge in men, while women may have vaginal discharge. Men and women may experience a burning sensation during urination.

Gonorrhoea

• Pain or burning during urination.
• Thick, cloudy, or bloody vaginal or urethral discharge.
• Itching in and around the anus, anal discharge, and pain during defecation (caused by gonorrhoea in the anus)
• Sore throat (caused by gonorrhoea in the throat).

Hepatitis B

• Fever.
• Loss of appetite.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Fatigue.
• Joint pain.
• Pain in the abdomen.
• Jaundice (causes yellowing of the whites of the eyes and skin).
• Dark urine.
• Clay-coloured bowel movements.

People may show signs of hepatitis B from 6 weeks to 6 months after exposure to the virus. The symptoms of chronic hepatitis B can be similar to acute disease.

Oral herpes

• Itching in the mouth or lips
• Flu-like symptoms such as headache, body aches, swollen glands, and fever
• Sores or blisters inside the mouth or on the lips

HIV

Some of the early symptoms of this viral infection can be flu-like, including headache, sore throat, fever, muscle aches, diarrhoea, and swollen lymph nodes. Others include nausea and vomiting, a rash on the face, legs, arms, or on the abdomen, and fungal infection of the mouth. Untreated HIV can develop symptoms later on including joint pain, weight loss, recurrent infections, night sweats, fatigue, and short-term memory loss.

Molluscumcontagiosum

A flesh-coloured or pink bump with a central dimple is sometimes the only symptom of this skin disease. Children are mostly affected by this disease, and they usually contract it via skin-to-skin contact, shared towels, or other similar items. Adults can get this disease via sexual activity.

Genital herpes

The usual signs of genital herpes include red bumps that grow into sores looking like blisters in the genital area. It is often found on the thighs or buttocks. HSV-2, the prime cause of genital herpes may bring about flu-like symptoms, including tiredness, achy and swollen glands, fever, and headache.

Pubic lice

• Itching in the genital region.
• Visible nits (eggs) on hair shafts.
• Tiny bugs in the pubic hair.

Also, pubic lice can infest beards, moustaches, and the hair on the armpits, legs, eyelashes, and eyebrows.

Scabies

• Intense itching, usually severe at night
• Small red bumps or a rash
• Raised lines on the skin especially where termites have infested

Syphilis

This disease at the primary stage can cause a painless sore or ulcer at the point the bacteria entered the body, sometimes in the genital region. Secondary stage syphilis can cause a rash on the torso or other part of the body.

Trichomoniasis

This is another common infection caused by a parasite. Symptoms include burning and itching in the genital area for men and women, and pain during sex. Others include frequent or painful urination and a smelly discharge.

HPV

Most strains of this virus are asymptomatic and are only spotted when abnormal cells are seen during a Pap smear. Be that as it may, some types of HPV cause genital warts characterised by whitish or skin-coloured growths on the anus or genitals.

Is it possible to have an STD and not be aware?

Absolutely. A lot of STDs do not come with symptoms, especially at the early stages. The only way to be certain is to go for STD tests. Bear in mind that STD can be contracted via sexual intercourse with a person who is asymptomatic and unaware of the presence of the disease.

Do adolescents scarcely get infected?

Research reveals that new cases of STDs are found in persons between 15 to 24 years. Besides, young females are biologically prone to having STDs.

Immediately you become sexually active, chlamydia and HPV becomes common, while gonorrhoea and genital herpes rise in the late twenties or thirties. However, all STIs, including HIV, can spread to people of any age.

When and how often should you get tested?

Chlamydia tests should be done regularly on women. When testing for gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis, and chlamydia, a urine sample or a swab from the vagina or penis is needed.

A blood test is a more precise method of testing for other STDs, including genital herpes, syphilis, and HIV. Testing for HIV must involve a sample of cervical or anal cells.

Your risk level for infection determines how often you need to be tested for STDs.

Chlamydia test recommends the following:

• Screening in every year sexually active women aged 25 and below, and in older women who are at more risk for infection because of a new sex partner or multiple sex partners.
• Yearly screening for men sleeping with men, based on the history of exposure, and people with the greater risk getting more regular screening.
• Annual screening in HIV-infected persons who are sexually active.
• Screening in all pregnant women during their first prenatal visit.

Gonorrhoea test recommends the following:

• Annual screening in sexually active women prone to infection, including females aged 25 years and below
• Yearly screening in men sleeping with men, based on the history of exposure, and people with greater risk receiving more regular screening.
• Screening in every year for sexually active, HIV-infected persons.

Syphilis test recommends the following:

• Screening in all pregnant women during their first prenatal visit.
• Yearly screening in men sleeping with men.
• Yearly screening in sexually active HIV-infected persons.

There are recommendations for other STDs as provided by the Centre for Disease Control, CDC.

Generally, it is suitable for some persons to get more frequent screening for additional STDs depending on their sexual behaviour, how common a particular disease is in their region, and their risk factors.

Where can I have an STD test?

You can undergo the test for STDs at your family doctor’s or obstetrician gynaecologist’s office. But there are other testing options, including specialised STD or sexual health clinics in some areas.

Utilising the CDC’s Get Tested tool, you can search for places in your area offering quick, zero-cost, and private testing.

Protecting myself from STDs: what can I do?

Abstinence from sexual activities has remained the only way to lower your chances of having an STD. However, adopting the following guidelines can help you:

• Ensure you keep only one sexual partner and be sure that person is sleeping with you alone. It reduces your chances of getting STDs
• Use condoms properly whenever you have sex as it greatly lowers the chances of all STDs
• Get a hepatitis B vaccine as it is the best way to evade the viral infection. Anybody at any age can get this vaccine
• Get an HPV vaccine to protect yourself against strains of the virus responsible for genital warts, cervical and other cancers. But presently, only those aged 20 and below can get the HPV vaccine.

Are there treatment options for common STDs?

Well, while medical treatments can cure certain STDs some others are easy to manage the symptoms and reduce the spread.

Antibiotics helps in curing:

• Gonorrhoea
• Chlamydia
• Trichomoniasis
• Syphilis

Insecticide cream can cure the following STDs:

• Scabies
• Pubic lice

You can treat the following STDs using simple surgical procedures like cryosurgery or laser surgery:

• Genital warts (caused by HPV)
• Molluscumcontagiosum

Antiviral medication helps in managing STDs like:

• HIV
• Chronic hepatitis B
• Genital herpes

Surgery is necessary to remove any abnormal tissue on the cervix caused by precancerous cells due to HPV. Another treatment option is watchful waiting.

If I have an STD, does it make me vulnerable to getting another?

Apart from the behavioural risks common to all STDs, having one STD does not make you susceptible to others. But if you have genital herpes from HSV-2, not HSV-1, it can double your chances of having HIV for sexually active persons.

What happens if STDs remain untreated?

The more time you neglect an STD and not treat it, the higher its chances of causing complications. Untreated chlamydia and gonorrhoea infection can move from a woman’s cervix to the uterus and fallopian tubes and cause infertility.

Untreated Syphilis can develop into neurosyphilis responsible for neurological disease. Complications of late-stage syphilis include aortic aneurysm and other cardiovascular issues.

Having an untreated HIV can damage your immune system’s ability to resist infections and diseases, causing ‘opportunistic infections’, neurological complications, and often cancer.

Left untreated, chronic hepatitis B can cause liver cancer, liver failure, cirrhosis, and even death.

Untreated STDs can pose a risk to future generations. How? Women infected with syphilis, gonorrhoea, or chlamydia can pass on the infection to their baby during delivery. This is why it is crucial to test for STDs and adopt safe sex guidelines during pregnancy.

A mother can pass on HIV to her child during pregnancy, labour, or childbirth. However, if the woman takes antiretroviral drugs throughout her pregnancy period, and HIV medicines offer to the child for several weeks after delivery, then there is little risk of transmission.

Do more sexual partners equals more chances of contracting STDs?

Generally, more partners increase the risk of STDs. But there are countless exceptions. While some persons may have 50 or more partners annually they don’t get infections with more or all STDs, others may have just one or two partners and get multiple infections. To avoid this, use condoms properly or dental dams to reduce your chances. You can discuss STD testing with your doctor if you’re sexually active.

Can STDs recur?

If you treat a curable STD correctly, it won’t recur. However, it is possible to have the same STD again; it is quite common. So, to prevent having the same STD again, ensure proper treatment of your sexual partner or partners. This also includes practising safe sex by using condoms whenever you engage in sexual activity.

There’s an upside of getting infections multiple times: it doesn’t lead to long-term complications at all. Persons with repeated cases of STDs are not under worse conditions than after their first infection. If a woman infects for  second or third time with chlamydia it might increase the chance of complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease.

Chlamydia – Sometimes a silent infection

Since a lot of people having chlamydia are asymptomatic, they are not aware of the condition, referring it as a silent disease. Untreated chlamydia can bring about severe complication like ectopic pregnancy in women. Men have their complications too. One can avoid these complications when young men and women with a higher risk of chlamydia go for annual tests.

Genital herpes – A long term infection

The virus responsible for genital herpes can live in the body for life. This disease can cause painful sores to develop on the thighs, buttocks, or genitals. However, the severity of symptoms go from zero symptoms to flu-like symptoms, difficulty urinating, and recurring sores. Use medication to prevent or lower outbreaks and reduce chances of transmission.

Gonorrhoea – A curable but antibiotic-resistant infection

A highly contagious disease like gonorrhoea may have zero or mild symptoms. Untreated gonorrhoea can lead to worse complications like pelvic inflammatory disease in women and epididymitis in men. Cure of Gonorrhoea infection is possible, but some strains of the virus have developed a resistance to most antibiotics.

Hepatitis B – Liver disease

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, and the hepatitis B virus is one of the many causes of hepatitis. Other causes of this condition are non-viral. On a global scale, chronic hepatitis B infection is a common incidence.

HIV – Preventable but has no cure

This viral infection impairs your body’s immune system; lowering its guard against diseases and infections with time. The final stage of HIV infection leads to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); a life-threatening disease. By using condoms correctly and always, you can lower your chances of getting HIV via sex.

HPV – An increasing cause of cancer

Nearly all sexually active persons have had HPV at some point in life. Most times, the virus disappears on its own. When it doesn’t, it can lead to genital warts, and a lot of cancer types, depending on the strain of the virus. The Gardasil 9 (HPV 9-valent) vaccine can prevent warts and cancer.

Trichomoniasis – A parasitic infection

This infection is prevalent in young women than in men. The disease can infect the vagina or penis, but not the anus, mouth, or other parts of the body. Symptoms of trichomoniasis can raise your doctor’s eyebrow, but a lab test proves to be a better way of diagnosing the condition.

Syphilis – If untreated is life-threatening

This bacterial infection is a growing concern, especially among men sleeping with men. Use penicillin or other antibiotics (where there’s a penicillin allergy) to cure the problem. If left untreated, this infection can affect the heart and brain and may be fatal. Congenital syphilis (syphilis passed from mother to infant) is a serious, life-threatening condition.

Molluscumcontagiosum – May disappear on its own

Molluscumcontagiosum is a viral infection that transmits via sex or contact with infected skin, or contaminated objects, like toys and towels. This infection can get to another area of the body by touching the unaffected part with hands carrying lesion. Most times, it disappears on its own, but if it doesn’t, there are available treatments.

For more information about STDs or STIs and to perform the test, visit https://www.sticlinic.london. You can also book an appointment with our doctor for confidential testing.