Sexual Conditions Health Center

Sexually Transmitted Disease Basics

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are among the most common infectious diseases in the United States today. More than 20 different STDs have been identified, and 19 million new infections occur in men and women each year. Depending on the disease, the infection can be spread through any type of sexual activity involving the sex organs or the mouth; the infection can also be spread through contact with blood during sexual activity.

• STDs affect men and women of all ages and backgrounds.
• STDs have become more common, partly because young people are becoming sexually active at a younger age and are having multiple partners.
• People can pass STDs to sexual partners even if they themselves do not have any symptoms.
• Frequently, STDs cause no symptoms, especially in women.
  
  • Health problems from STDs tend to be more severe for women than for men. Some STDs can cause pelvic infections that may lead to scarring of the reproductive organs, which can result in an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the uterus) and infertility for women.
  • STDs in women may lead to cancer of the cervix.
  • STDs can be passed from a mother to her baby before, during, or immediately after birth.
    
• Because the method of becoming infected is similar with all STDs, a person can easily pick up more than one infection at a time.
• Experts believe that having an STD that is not HIV increases one's risk for becoming infected with HIV.

Causes of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Depending on the condition, sexually transmitted diseases can be spread with any type of sexual activity. STDs are most often caused by viruses and bacteria.

Symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Common sexually transmitted diseases have a variety of symptoms (if symptoms develop at all) and many different complications, including death. Below are some basic facts and symptoms of common STDs.

• Chlamydia
  • Most common of all STDs caused by bacteria
  • No symptoms in 80% of women and 50% of men
  • Discharge from the vagina or the penis, burning or pain during urination
  • Enlarged lymph nodes in the groin area
  • Transmitted through vaginal, oral, or anal sexual contact
  • Ectopic pregnancy and infertility for women are among the most serious complications 
  • Treatable with antibiotics
• Genital herpes: One type of herpes typically causes cold sores in the mouth, and another type causes genital sores; however, each type can cause either type of infection. 
  • Recurring outbreaks of blisterlike sores on the genitals
  • Can be transmitted from a mother to her baby during birth
  • Reduction in frequency and severity of blister outbreaks with treatment but not complete elimination of infection.
• Hepatitis (A, B, C, D)
  • Hepatitis B is most often associated with sexual contact
  • Yellowish skin and eyes, fever, achy, tired, might feel like the flu
  • Severe complications, including cirrhosis and liver cancer
  • Can turn into a chronic infection or can be cleared by a person's own immune system. 
  • Medications can manage the disease or help the immune system clear it from the body permanently
  • Immunizations available to prevent hepatitis A and B
• Gonorrhea
  • Discharge from the vagina or the penis
  • Painful urination
  • Ectopic pregnancy and infertility for women most serious complications
  • Treatable with antibiotics
• Syphilis
  • Mild symptoms, often goes undetected initially
  • Starts with painless genital ulcer that goes away on its own
  • Rash, fever, headache, achy joints
  • Treatable with antibiotics
  • More serious complications associated with later stages of disease if undetected and untreated
• Chancroid
  • Not common in the United States
  • Causes painful ulcers on the genitals
  • Can be confused with syphilis or herpes
  • Treatable with antibiotics
• HIV 
  • Spread primarily by sexual contact and from sharing IV needles
  • Can be transmitted at the time a person becomes infected with other STDs
  • Fatigue, night sweats, chills or fever lasting several weeks, headaches, cough
  • No current cure but medications available to slow disease progression
• Genital warts
  • Caused by a virus related to skin warts
  • Small, painless bumps in the genital or anal areas (sometimes in clusters that look like cauliflower)
  • Various treatments available (for example, freezing or painting the warts with medication)
• Pubic lice
  • Very tiny insects living in pubic hair
  • Can be picked up from clothing or bedding
  • First notice itching in the pubic area
  • Treatable with creams, anti-lice agents, and combing
• Scabies
  • Skin infection caused by a tiny mite
  • Highly contagious
  • Spread primarily by sexual contact or from contact with skin, infested sheets, towels, or furniture
  • Treatment with creams or pills