Common STDs: Causes, Symptoms & Prevention - Essay Sample

Introduction

Having sex exposes a person to a risk of over 30 bacteria, parasites, or viruses (Workowski & Bolan, 2015). STDs stands for sexually transmitted diseases. Most of these diseases are transmitted through sexual intercourse, though not entirely. The most STDs are Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, HIV/AIDS, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and Trichomoniasis. This essay discusses the above common STDs outlining the bacteria that causes them and brief details concerning them.

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HIV/AIDS is the most common of all STDs. HIV is a virus that affects the immune system hence making the body prone to disease-causing pathogens. It gets transmitted through bodily fluids like blood, semen, breast milk, or vaginal and rectal fluids (Becerra, Bildstein & Gach, 2016). HIV gets contracted through sexual intercourse or sharing items like needles, syringes, or other equipment that involves bodily fluid contact. Also, it can be transmitted during delivery or breastfeeding or through blood transfusion. HIV develops to AIDS if not treated meaning that at this stage, the immune system gets severely compromised. Low immunity makes AIDS patients prone to many other diseases like tuberculosis, pneumonia, and others. Early symptoms of HIV include chills, fever, general aches, swollen lymph nodes, nausea, or skin rashes. These symptoms advance and become more severe as the disease progresses to chronic stages.

People living with HIV/AIDS take medication for the rest of their life. Antiretroviral drugs reduce the progressing of HIV to AIDS. Additionally, the medication helps minimize the risk of spreading HIV to others. If a patient stops taking the drugs, the viral load increases, making their body weaker. The most basic prevention for HIV/AIDS is practicing safer sex by using protection or abstaining from the act. Also, sterilizing injecting or cutting objects, and not sharing them helps reduce the risk of infection.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) can affect genital areas as well as the mouth or throat if there is sexual contact with a person who has it. Sexual intercourse must not take place for HPV to spread. Touch of the sexual organs with infected persons is enough to spread HPV. HPV has no cure. However, there are treatments to keep it from harming health. There are vaccines to prevent certain HPV types. A nurse or doctor can remove genital warts. Also, high-risk HPV is treatable before it evolves to cancer. Regular tests for HPV are advisable to people to make sure they are safe. Using condoms or dental dams help lower the risk of infection.

Gonorrhea gets caused by gonococcus bacteria and is found mainly in discharge from the penis and in vaginal fluid. It is passed on through unprotected sex or sharing sex toys with infected persons. Common symptoms include unusual discharge from genitals or pain when urinating. For women, there is bleeding between periods or heavy periods. Prevention measures include using female or male condoms during sex or using dental dams or latex gloves. Medically, antibiotics are used to treat and cure gonorrhea effectively. If untreated, gonorrhea puts a patient at risk of contracting other STDs or health complications.

Syphilis gets caused by Treponema pallidum bacterium (Stamm, 2015). It starts as a painless sore on the genitals, mouth, or rectum. It spreads from an infected person to another through skin contact or mucous contact with the sores. In its early stage, syphilis gets cured by a penicillin injection. If untreated, it severely damages the brain, heart, or other body organs. Syphilis is life-threatening, and it can be passed on to unborn children by the mother. Also, it can bring problems like meningitis, stroke, visual problems, hearing loss, dementia, or impotence in men. Syphilis can be prevented by practicing safe sex or abstinence or avoiding recreational drugs that trigger unsafe sexual habits.

Trichomoniasis is an STD caused by Trichomonas vaginalis parasite. In women, it affects the lower genital tract mostly. For men, the urethra is the most affected part. Symptoms for men include itching inside the penis, burning after ejaculation or urination and discharge from the penis. In women, there is itching, soreness or redness of genitals, urinating discomfort, and vaginal discharge that has an unusual fishy smell and not clear in color. If not treated, trichomoniasis increases the risk of spreading other STDs.

Chlamydia gets found in infected vaginal fluids and semen affecting both men and women. It may permanently damage a woman's reproductive system making pregnancy impossible for victims (Hafner, 2015). Also, it can cause a possibly fatal ectopic pregnancy. Symptoms for women comprise fiery sensation when urinating and an abnormal vaginal discharge. In men, there is discharge from the penis, burning feeling when urinating or pain and inflammation of testicles. Chlamydia is treated and cured by medication pills.

Conclusion

Conclusively, the above-discussed STDs are transmitted mostly through sex. It is essential to undergo regular check-ups to know one's status and ensure healthy living. Most prevention measures for STDs revolve around practicing safe sex or abstinence. Using condoms during sex helps reduce the risk of infection. However, monogamy is highly recommended to avoid sexual habits involving multiple partners. This healthy lifestyle significantly reduces the risk of contracting STDs or spreading them to others.

References

Becerra, J. C., Bildstein, L. S., & Gach, J. S. (2016). Recent insights into the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Microbial cell, 3(9), 451.

Hafner, L. M. (2015). Pathogenesis of fallopian tube damage caused by Chlamydia trachomatis infections. Contraception, 92(2), 108-115.

Stamm, L. V. (2015). Syphilis: antibiotic treatment and resistance. Epidemiology & Infection, 143(8), 1567-1574.

Workowski, K. A., & Bolan, G. A. (2015). Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2015. MMWR. Recommendations and reports: Morbidity and mortality weekly report. Recommendations and reports, 64(RR-03), 1.