Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are an unfortunate fact of life, and they affect millions of people. It’s important for sexually active people of all ages to understand what safe sex means, and what they can do to prevent transmission of STDs. It’s also important to see a doctor after noticing STD symptoms, because most are easier to treat when discovered early.
When it comes to STDs, unfortunately there are plenty to choose from out there. Some are minor and barely produce any symptoms while others have the capacity to do long term damage to your organs or immune system.
Bacterial STDs can be treated with antibiotics and, if caught early enough, will not result in residual damage. Conversely, viral STDs remain with you throughout your life and can produce long term affects. Here, a look at the Top 5 STDs of All Time (most of them viral).
5. Syphilis
The only bacterial STD to make our list, syphilis cases have steadily risen in the US, mostly affecting men. Characterized by sores in the mouth, vagina and rectum, syphilis can also survive all around your sex organs. Therefore, condoms do not provide complete coverage. Fortunately, syphilis can be wiped out with a course of antibiotics, but if left untreated, can manifest into damage to the brain, nerves and body tissues.
4. Human papillomavirus (HPV)
HPV has the unfortunate distinction of being the most common STD. In fact, a 1997 study estimated that nearly three-quarters of sexually active people have had HPV at some point during their lives. Wow! And while HPV is viral (and therefore non-curable), its symptoms can be treated and some people (generally the younger set) even resolve the infections on their own.
If left untreated, HPV can cause genital warts, precancerous lesions of the cervix, and full-blown cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina and anus in women. In men, HPV can lead to cancers of the anus and penis.
3. Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B comes in two forms: Acute and chronic. The acute form of the virus includes symptoms like loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, body aches, mild fever, dark urine and jaundice. It can also progress to severe liver disease, which may cause death.
Chronic Hepatitis B maybe be asymptomatic or may result in chronic inflammation of the liver, leading to cirrhosis and possibly liver cancer. Since neither of these sound like an appealing way to live life, being cautious while engaging in sexual activity (or practicing abstinence) is easiest path to prevention.
2. Herpes
Herpes is a rather tricky STD because even if you are not in the middle of an “outbreak” or experiencing symptoms, you can still pass the disease on to your partner. Symptoms include painful tingling and itching in the anal or genital area, accompanied by clusters of tiny fluid-filled blisters, painful urination and ejaculation, headache, fever, back aches and swollen glands.
Those with genital herpes (most often associated with Herpes Simplex Type 2, whereas cold sores are mostly Herpes Simplex Type 1), can get relief from their outbreaks by using anti-viral medications like Valtrex, Famvir or acyclovir. Remember to always use protection during sex whether you’re experiencing an outbreak or not.
1. HIV/AIDS
The worst known sexually transmitted disease, HIV/AIDS is no longer the death sentence that it once was. It’s not an easy way to live life, however, and sufferers of this disease can expect varying degrees of affliction, ranging from flu-like symptoms to extreme susceptibility to infections and cancers (due to the breakdown of the body’s immune system).
As is evident, life with an STD is not ideal. There could be long term effects to your health and possibly your partner’s, should you infect them too. While it’s always a good idea to know all you can about your partner before becoming intimate, if you find yourself in precarious positions with partners you don’t know well, practice safe sex by using barrier protection like condoms each and every time you have sex.
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