Common STDs

All STDs are infections of the skin, mucous membranes and blood and are transmitted by physical contact with an infected person, usually in intimate sexual relations.  The most common STDs are:   

Syphilis:

• Symptoms of syphilis include non-painful lesions on the genitals or a rash anywhere on the body, commonly on the hands and feet

• Symptoms disappear without treatment as syphilis becomes an infection of the blood.

• Diagnosis is made by physical examination and a specific blood test.

• Treatment is effective, and the disease is curable when diagnosed in time.

• All sex partners must be treated at the same time as the infected patient. 

Gonorrhea:

• Symptoms may include a discharge of material from the penis in males, burning when urinating, an abnormal vaginal discharge or bleeding, painful sexual intercourse, or lower abdominal pain.

• Diagnosis is made by physical examination and specific testing.

• Treatment is effective and the disease is curable.

• All sex partners must be treated at the same time as the infected patient.    

Chlamydia:

• Chlamydia is the most widely occurring STD. 

• Symptoms are similar to gonorrhea

• Many males and females alike may have no symptoms.

• Diagnosis is made by physical examination and specific tests.

• Patients are often co-infected with both chlamydia and gonorrhea

• Treatment is simple and effective.  The disease in curable when diagnosed in time.

• Chlamydia can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease when left undiagnosed.

• All sex partners must be treated at the same time as infected patients.   

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is a complication of either gonorrhea or chlamydia and occurs in females.

• Symptoms may include lower abdominal pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding, fever, painful intercourse and vaginal discharge.

• PID is a serious condition which may result in surgery, sterility and ectopic pregnancy.

• PID is the largest cause of maternal death in pregnant females.

• PID may cause abortions.

• Treatment is more complicated but effective.

• All sex partners must be treated at the same time as infected patients.   

Hepatitis B

• Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by a virus that can be transmitted sexually.

• Persons who are infected with Hep B may develop liver cancer at a later date.

• Non-infected persons can be protected from Hep B by a specific vaccine available at the health department or through your doctor's office.

• All sex partners and household members should be tested and/or vaccinated. 

Genital Warts

• Genital warts are caused by the Human Papilloma virus (HPV) which is transmitted by sexual contact with an infected person.

• The virus which causes genital warts may also be the cause of cervical cancer.

• Diagnosis is made by physical examination and by the application of a mild solution of acidic acid before viewing under a magnifying device.   

• Warts are treated by the application of liquid medication, freezing or removal by surgery and laser treatment.

• All sex partners should be examined.

Herpes Simplex

• A virus causes herpes.

• Symptoms are generally multiple painful skin blisters which develop into painful skin lesions, most often on the genitals

• Herpes lesions resolve on their own after 7 to 10 days, but the virus remains hidden in the body and often causes the lesions to reoccur frequently.

• The herpes lesions are treatable, but lesions often continue to reoccur,  sometimes for a lifetime.

• There is no cure for herpes.

• All sex partners should be notified before having sexual relations. 

• Condoms must be used during all sexual relations.