Tag: std

The types of Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are ill-health conditions passed from one person to another through sexual activities.

You can contract an STD by having unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected person.

An STD has also been labeled a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or venereal disease (VD). Depending on the specific STD, infections may also be transmitted through other routes asides from sexual activities like breastfeeding and an unhygienic environment. 

HIV has other routes of transmission. For example, this STI can spread through the use of unsterilized drug needles.

Some STIs are benign, but others can lead to severe complications if the infected person does not seek treatment.

Introduction to the types of sexually transmitted diseases

Anyone can contract an STI, regardless of his or her sexual orientation and hygiene standards. Many STIs can transmit through non-penetrative sexual activity.

If you have one STI, it can often increase your chances of contracting another. Some STIs can also lead to severe consequences if left untreated. In rare cases, untreated STDs may even be fatal.

Fortunately, most STDs can be treated and be cured totally. Is essential to note that early and effective treatment can help relieve symptoms, lower your risk of complications, and protect sexual partners.

Symptoms of types of sexually transmitted diseases

• Headaches
• Difficulty swallowing
• Discharge
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Fatigue/weakness
• Appetite loss
• Weight loss
• Chronic diarrhea
• Nausea/vomiting
• Itchy, rashy skin/skin lesions
• Chronic coughing
• Restlessness
• Confusion/delirium
• Difficulty breathing

Is essential to note that different sexually transmitted infections present different symptoms and there may be variations in gender

Some specific symptoms of STIs in men

Is important you note that men may contract sexually transmitted infection without a possible symptom although some common symptoms are:

• Painful or swollen testicles

• Pain or discomfort during sex or urination

• Sores, bumps, or rashes on or around the penis, testicles, anus, buttocks, thighs, or mouth

• Unusual discharge or bleeding from the penis

Some specific symptoms of STIs in women

In many cases, STDs don’t cause noticeable symptoms. When they do, common STD symptoms in women include:

• Pain or discomfort during sex or urination
• Sores, bumps, or rashes on or around the vagina, anus, buttocks, thighs, or mouth
• The unusual odor from the vagina
• Unusual discharge or bleeding from the vagina
• Itchiness in or around the vagina

In this article, some common STIs are discussed to help you cruise in the pool of ideal health

Types of sexually transmitted diseases

• Syphilis
• HIV
• Gonorrhea
• Herpes
• HPV (human papillomavirus)
• Chlamydia
• Scabies
• Crabs, or pubic lice
• Hepatitis B
• Trichomoniasis

SYPHILIS

Syphilis is among the types of sexually transmitted diseases however, it is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum which slips into the bloodstream and is eventually sent to organs outside the reproductive tract. It often goes unnoticed in its early stages.

The first symptom to appear is a small round sore, known as a chancre. Since syphilis chancres aren’t painful and typically heal within four to six weeks, most boys don’t see a doctor. They assume the mysterious sore is gone for good, but one-third of men and women exposed to primary syphilis progress to a secondary infection

This sexually transmitted disease can develop on your genitals, anus, or mouth.  It’s painless but very infectious.

Later symptoms of syphilis can include:

• rash
• fatigue
• fever
• headaches
• joint pain
• weight loss
• hair loss

If left untreated, late-stage syphilis can lead to:

• loss of vision
• loss of hearing
• loss of memory
• mental illness
• infections of the brain or spinal cord
• heart disease
• death

Fortunately, if caught early enough, syphilis is easily treated with antibiotics. However, syphilis infection in a newborn can be fatal. That’s why it’s important for all pregnant women to be screened for syphilis.

The earlier syphilis is diagnosed and treated, the less damage it does. 

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

HIV can damage the immune system and raise the risk of contracting other viruses or bacteria and certain cancers. If left untreated, it can lead to stage 3 HIV, known as AIDS. But with today’s treatment, many people living with HIV don’t ever develop AIDS when proper medications are taken.

AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which is spread through unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person or through using a contaminated needle to inject drugs. It is also among the known different types of sexually transmitted diseases.

It can also be spread through intravenous drug use and much less commonly, blood, blood products, needles, or other sharp instruments contaminated with infected body fluids or blood.

In the early or acute stages, it’s easy to mistake the symptoms of HIV with those of the flu. For example, the early symptoms can include:

• fever
• chills
• aches and pains
• swollen lymph nodes
• sore throat
• headache
• nausea
• rashes

These initial symptoms are typically clear within a month or so. From that point onward, a person can carry HIV without developing serious or persistent symptoms for many years. Other people may develop nonspecific symptoms, such as:

• recurrent fatigue
• fevers
• headaches
• stomach issues

HIV is one of the deadliest sexually transmitted diseases because there’s no cure for it yet. Although, treatment options are available to manage it. Early and effective treatment can help people with HIV live as long as those without HIV.

Proper treatment can also lower your chances of transmitting HIV to a sexual partner. In fact, treatment can potentially lower the amount of HIV in your body to undetectable levels.

With recent advancements in testing and treatment, it’s possible to live a long and healthy life with HIV. 

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea usually begins in the urethra (bladder opening) or the cervix. However, the rapidly proliferating Neisseria gonorrhoea bacterium is the pathogen that causes gonorrhea. It can migrate to the uterus and the fallopian tubes, giving rise to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). The infection, like chlamydia, may also involve the rectum. It is also known as “the clap.”

Many people with gonorrhea develop no symptoms. But when present, symptoms may include:

• a white, yellow, beige, or green-colored discharge from the penis or vagina
• pain or discomfort during sex or urination
• more frequent urination than usual
• itching around the genitals
• sore throat

If left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to:

• infections of the urethra, prostate gland, or testicles
• pelvic inflammatory disease
• infertility

Symptoms typically occur two to ten days after exposure.

Men:

• Penile discharge
• Mild to a severe burning sensation when urinating
• Can progress to epididymitis

Women:

• Painful or burning sensation when urinating and/or yellow or bloody vaginal discharge
• Abdominal pain
• Bleeding between menstrual periods
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Progression to pelvic inflammatory disease

Rectal Infection:

• Anal discharge
• Anal itching
• Painful bowel movements

It’s possible for a mother to pass gonorrhea onto a newborn during childbirth. When that happens, gonorrhea can cause serious health problems in the baby. That’s why many doctors encourage pregnant women to get tested and treated for potential STDs.

Herpes

Among the types of sexually transmitted diseases is Genital herpes. It is also commonly called “herpes,” is a viral infection by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It is transmitted through intimate contact with the mucous-covered linings of the mouth or the vagina or the genital skin.

The virus enters the linings or skin through microscopic tears. Once inside, the virus travels to the nerve roots near the spinal cord and settles there permanently.

When an infected person has a herpes outbreak, the virus travels down the nerve fibers to the site of the original infection. When it reaches the skin, the typical redness and blisters occur. After the initial outbreak, subsequent outbreaks tend to be sporadic. They may occur weekly or even years apart.

Two types of herpes viruses are associated with genital lesions: herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2).

HSV-1 more often causes blisters of the mouth area while HSV-2 more often causes genital sores or lesions in the area around the anus.

The outbreak of herpes is closely related to the functioning of the immune system. Women who have suppressed immune systems, because of stress, infection, or medications, have more frequent and longer-lasting outbreaks.

Genital herpes is spread only by direct person-to-person contact. It is believed that a majority of sexually active adults carry the herpes virus.

Symptoms of genital herpes

Once exposed to the virus, there is an incubation period that generally lasts 3 to 7 days before a lesion develops. During this time, there are no symptoms and the virus cannot be transmitted to others. An outbreak usually begins within two weeks of initial infection and manifests as an itching or tingling sensation followed by redness of the skin.

Finally, a blister forms. The blisters and subsequent ulcers that form when the blisters break are usually very painful to touch and may last from 7 days to 2 weeks.

HPV (human papillomavirus)

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that can be passed from one person to another through intimate skin-to-skin or sexual contact. There are many different strains of the virus. Some are more dangerous than others. Nearly every sexually active person will have HPV at some point.

Most types of HPV have no symptoms and cause no harm, and your body gets rid of them on its own. But some of them cause genital warts.

Others infect the mouth and throat. Still, others can cause cancer of the cervix, penis, mouth, or throat.

The CDC recommends young women and men ages 11 to 26 get vaccinated for HPV. Since there’s no treatment for HPV.

A Pap smear can show most cervical cancers caused by HPV early on. HPV is also among the types of sexually transmitted diseases.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia results from an infection with Chlamydia trachomatis. It is a common infection that can spread through anal, vaginal, and oral sex. A pregnant woman can also transmit it to the baby during delivery.

It can infect the urethra (bladder opening) and cervix (uterus opening). It is common in youngsters aged fifteen to nineteen.  It is known to be the most prevalent bacterial STI in the United States.

chlamydia does not usually produce symptoms, but it can result in infertility and other complications if a person does not receive treatment for it. The disease is easily treated, but like other sexually transmitted infections, chlamydia tends to be silent and therefore go undiagnosed until it becomes more serious than in its early stages

If symptoms do occur, they may include a change in vaginal discharge and burning pain during urination.

Chlamydia which is among the types of sexually transmitted diseases, can also affect the rectum, if the infection occurs as a result of anal sex or if the infection spreads from another area. This can lead to:

• rectal pain
• rectal bleeding
• rectal discharge

In those who do develop symptoms, these will usually appear 7–21 days after exposure to the bacterium.

Scabies among the types of sexually transmitted diseases

Oftentimes people of all races and backgrounds are affected by the infestation of sarcoptes scabiei mite, as well as the human itch mite worldwide, this infestation is generally known as scabies.

Sarcoptes scabiei,  falls under the class of Arachnida and infect both human and animal at varying degrees.

In humans, the availability of mites will determine how contagious the infestation will be.

for instance, incrusted or Norwegian scabies {because it was first analyzed in Norway} is highly contagious due to thousands of these microscopic mites present. The availability of these mites is because of a compromised immune system like in the case of HIV/AIDS.

Crabs, or pubic lice

Pediculosis pubis is an infection of the genital area caused by the crab louse (Phthirus pubis).

The lice (commonly called crabs) are small bugs that are visible to the naked eye without the aid of a magnifying glass or microscope. Crabs, or pubic lice, usually attach to pubic hair. Sometimes, however, they can affect the hair in the armpits, mustache, beard, eyelashes, or eyebrows.

The treatment for pubic lice is usually with a 1% cream rinse of permethrin that is applied to the affected area and washed off after 10 minutes.

The first stage in the life cycle will be the appearance of the eggs, which lasts 6–10 days. After hatching, the lice will look like tiny crabs. They need blood to survive and will live for around 2–3 weeks. In the last day or two, the females will lay more eggs, and the cycle will continue.

Pubic lice can spread from person to person during close physical contact, including sexual contact. They can also transmit via shared towels or bed linen like in the case of scabies.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is among the types of sexually transmitted diseases rated as a major global health problem. It can cause chronic infection and puts people at high risk of death from cirrhosis and liver cancer.

A safe and effective vaccine that offers 98-100% protection against hepatitis B is available. Preventing hepatitis B infection averts the development of complications including the development of chronic disease and liver cancer.

Once a person has the virus, it can remain in their semen, blood, and other bodily fluids.

Transmission is possible through:

• sexual contact
• using nonsterile equipment for injections
• puncturing the skin with a sharp object where the virus is present

it can also be congenital although, as long as the nipples are not cracked, the risk of transmitting the virus through breast milk is negligible, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis, or trich, is caused by Trichomonas vaginalis it can affect both males and females, but females are more likely to experience symptoms

More women than men get trichomoniasis, which is caused by this tiny parasite.

Men and women can give it to each other through penis-vagina contact. Women can give it to each other when their genital areas touch.

In females, it is most likely to affect the vagina. In males, the infection can develop in the urethra.

Symptoms of trichomoniasis may include itching, burning, or sore genitals. You might also see a smelly, clear, white, yellowish, or greenish discharge. Others may include

• pain during urination
• pain during ejaculation
• pain or discomfort during sex

Trich can also lead to pregnancy complications and increase the risk of both contracting and transmitting HIV.

These types of Sexually transmitted diseases are not to be neglected. If you think you have been exposed do well to see a physician.

Different pathogens bring about different types of sexually transmitted diseases is ideal you always take preventive and precautionary measures.

The pathophysiology of Syphilis is worth knowing, and a great concern for many in this present world.

It remains a contemporary plague that continues to afflict millions of people worldwide.

Spirochete Treponema pallidum is the pathogen that causes this bacterial infection. Due to its many protean clinical manifestations, it has been named the “great imitator.”

Treponema genus is a spiral-shaped bacteria with a rich outer phospholipid membrane that belongs to the spirochetal order. It has a slow metabolizing rate as it takes an average of 30 hours to multiply.

Introduction to the pathophysiology of syphilis

pallidum is the only agent that causes venereal disease. The other T. pallidumsubspecies cause non-venereal disease that is transmitted via nonsexual contact: Treponema pertenuecauses yaws, Treponema pallidum endemicum causes endemic syphilis, and Treponema carateum causes pinta. All the treponematoses have similar DNA but differ in their geographical distribution and pathogenesis.

The origin of syphilis has been controversial and under great debate, and many theories have been postulated regarding this.

The pre-Columbian theory looked at findings on skeletal markers of syphilis before 1490. However, there is insufficient proof, as evidenced by the DNA and paleopathology findings, to support the existence of syphilis before 1492.

Risk Factors on the pathophysiology of syphilis

You’re at higher risk of getting syphilis if you:

• Have unprotected sex
• You have numerous sex partners
• Have HIV
• You are gay

The infection progresses through 3 stages and can affect many organ systems.

Pathophysiology of syphilis and stages

Treponema pallidum is a very tiny organism that is invisible on light microscopy. Thus, it is identified by its distinct spiral movements on darkfield microscopy.

The primary syphilis presentation is a solitary non-tender genital chancre in response to invasion by the T. pallidum.

However, patients can have multiple non-genital chancres, such as digits, nipples, tonsils, oral mucosa. These lesions can occur at any site of direct contact with the infected lesion.

Even without treatment, these primary lesions will go away without scarring. If left untreated, primary syphilis can progress to secondary syphilis.

Secondary syphilis results from hematogenous {blood} dissemination of the infection and is protean which gives it the name “great imitator” {mimics the symptoms of numerous diseases}

Both primary and secondary lesions resolve without treatment, and the patient enters either an early or latent phase in which no clinical manifestations are present. The infection can only be detected at this stage with serological testing.

Some patients in this stage will progress to the tertiary stage, characterized by cardiovascular syphilis, neurosyphilis, and late benign syphilis.

The incubation period is about 20 to 90 days. The organism does invade the CNS early, but symptoms appear late.

Below is the summary of the pathophysiology of syphilis with the 3 stages involved

Primary syphilis

In the pathophysiology of syphilis, the primary stage can also be regarded as the early stage.

Here, an infected person gets one or more sores called chancres, which are small painless ulcers.

It occurs on the genitals, rectum, anus, or around your mouth between 10 and 90 days (3 weeks on average) after you’re exposed to the disease.

If left untreated, they heal without a scar within 6 weeks.

Secondary syphilis

In this stage of the pathophysiology of syphilis, infected persons get a rosy “copper penny” rash on the palms of their hands and the soles of their feet.

They may also have different rashes on other parts of their body.

These may look like rashes caused by other diseases and will resolve on their own without treatment.

Tertiary syphilis

In this stage of the pathophysiology of syphilis, the infection if left untreated, will progress to the stage marked by severe problems relating to the cardiovascular system, nervous system, and other systems. The impairment caused by syphilis to these systems could be fatal.

From the tertiary stage of syphilis, it progresses to other stages which may also be regarded as the types of syphilis.

Neurosyphilis where it affects the nervous system

Congenital syphilis where it can be transmitted from mother to child

As tuberculosis cannot be discussed without mentioning HIV syphilis cannot be discussed without mentioning HIV.

Both are clinically related in the sense that a person with sexually transmitted syphilis has an estimated two- to fivefold increased risk of contracting HIV.

This is because a syphilis sore can bleed easily, providing an easy way for HIV to enter your bloodstream during sexual activity.

The pathophysiology of syphilis made easy

Syphilis Diagnosis and Tests

Blood tests

A quick test at your doctor’s office or a public health clinic can diagnose syphilis.

Cerebrospinal fluid tests

If your doctor thinks you might have neurosyphilis, they’ll test fluid taken from around your spinal cord.

Darkfield microscopy

Syphilis bacteria are visible through a microscope in fluid taken from a skin sore or lymph node.

Can syphilis be prevented?

There is no vaccine available to prevent syphilis.

The use of safe sex practices, including condom use, can only prevent syphilis if the infectious chancre is located in a body area protected by a condom.

Washing or douching after sexual activity cannot prevent the infection. It is not always possible to know whether a sex partner is infected with syphilis because the chancre (ulcer) may be located inside the vagina or rectum.

Neonatal syphilis is preventable by treating the mother early in her pregnancy.

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The pathophysiology of chlamydia comes with many questions, and in this article, it will be made clear. 

Chlamydia is a venereal disease caused by a gram-negative bacterial pathogen called chlamydia trachomatis.

This pathogen belongs to the genus chlamydophila that replicates within eukaryotic cells.

 It is the most common bacterial venereal disease in the US and the world at large.

Introduction to the pathophysiology of chlamydia

Chlamydia trachomatis affects mostly young women, but it can occur in both men and women and in all age groups. It’s not difficult to treat, but if left untreated it can lead to more serious health complications like pelvic inflammatory disease, urethritis, epididymitis, and others.

primarily, this infection spreads from infected individuals to their sexual partners via unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sexual intercourse.

Sharing unwashed sex toys or those that are not covered with a new condom may also lead to the spread of the infection.

This infection can also spread when one comes in contact with the sexual bodily fluid of an infected person for instance If the eyes come into contact with infected fluids, an eye infection called trachoma may develop, which is the leading cause of blindness in the world.

An infected mother can transmit this infection during birth when the baby passes through the vaginal canal a mode called vertical transmission.

Pathophysiology of chlamydia

In the pathophysiology of Chlamydia, the pathogen chlamydia trachomatis is unique among bacteria, having an infectious cycle and two developmental forms.

These include the infectious form called the elementary body (EB) and the reticulate body (RB). The EB is metabolically inactive and is taken up by host cells. Within the host cell, the EB will differentiate into the metabolically active RB.

The reticulate body will then use host energy sources and amino acids to replicate and form a new elementary body, which can then infect additional cells. 

Chlamydia trachomatis targets the squamocolumnar epithelial cells of the endocervix and upper genital tract in women, and the conjunctiva, urethra, and rectum in both men and women. 

Prevention of chlamydia

In the pathophysiology of chlamydia, the below are the preventive measures to take:

Abstinence-

The surest way to prevent chlamydia infection is to abstain from sexual activities.

Use condoms–

Use a male latex condom or a female polyurethane condom during each sexual contact. Condoms used properly during every sexual encounter reduce but don’t eliminate the risk of infection.

Limit your number of sex partners-

 Having multiple sex partners puts you at a high risk of contracting chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections.

Get regular screenings-

If you’re sexually active, particularly if you have multiple partners, talk with your doctor about how often you should be screened for chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections.

Avoid douching-

 Douching decreases the number of good bacteria in the vagina, which can increase the risk of infection.

Diagnoses of chlamydia

Chlamydia can be detected through culture tests or nonculture tests.

The main nonculture tests include fluorescent monoclonal antibody tests, enzyme immunoassays, DNA probes, rapid Chlamydia tests, and leukocyte esterase tests.

whereas the culture tests include

A urine test-

A sample of your urine is analyzed in the laboratory for the presence of this infection. The rapid Chlamydia tests use antibodies against the MOMP, the leukocyte esterase tests detect enzymes produced by leukocytes containing the bacteria in the urine.

A swab-

For women, your doctor takes a swab of the discharge from your cervix for culture or antigen testing for chlamydia.

This can be done during a routine Pap test. Some women prefer to swab their vaginas themselves, which has been shown to be as diagnostic as doctor-obtained swabs.

For men, your doctor inserts a slim swab into the end of your penis to get a sample from the urethra. In some cases, your doctor will swab the anus.

If you’ve been treated for initial chlamydia infection, you should be retested in about three months.

Symptoms of chlamydia

The early stage of this infection is usually asymptomatic although when signs and symptoms occur, they’re often mild, making them easy to be neglected.

like other venereal diseases like gonorrhea, Signs, and symptoms of Chlamydia trachomatis infection can include:

• Painful sexual intercourse in women
• Painful urination
• Vaginal discharge in women
• Bleeding between periods and after sex in women
• Testicular pain in men
• Discharge from the penis in men

Treatment  of chlamydia

Chlamydia trachomatis is treated with antibiotics. You might receive a one-time dose, or you might need to take the medication daily or multiple times a day for 5 to 10 days.

The antibiotic for the treatment of uncomplicated urogenital chlamydia infection is azithromycin.

Doxycycline is an alternative, but azithromycin is preferred as it is a single-dose therapy. Other alternatives include erythromycin, levofloxacin, and ofloxacin.

In most cases, the infection resolves within one to two weeks. During that time, you should abstain from sex.

Patients should have partners identified and tested. They should also be counseled on high-risk behaviors, avoid sexual activity for one week after initiating therapy, and should consider testing for HIV.

Verification of cure should occur three weeks after treatment completion, and retesting should be performed three months after treatment.

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