SexuallyTransmittedDiseases(STDs)Cause,Symptoms,Prevention


Whataresexuallytransmitteddiseases(STDs)?
Sexuallytransmitteddiseases(STDs)areinfectionsthataretransmittedfromonepersontoanotherthroughsexualcontact STDscanbecausedbybacteria,viruses,orparasites, andcanaffectthegenitals,anus,mouth,andthroat SomecommonSTDsincludeHIV,genitalherpes,genitalwarts,chlamydia,gonorrhea,syphilis,andhepatitisB Itisimportantto practicesafesexandgettestedregularlytoreducetheriskofcontractingSTDs IfyouthinkyoumayhaveanSTD,itisimportanttoseekmedicalattentionassoonaspossibleto receivetreatmentandpreventthespreadofinfection

Symptomsofsexuallytransmitteddiseases(STDs)?
Symptomsofsexuallytransmitteddiseases(STDs)canvarydependingonthetypeofinfectionandthepartofthebodyitaffects SomecommonsymptomsofSTDsinclude:
Genitalsoresorbumps:Thesemaybepainfulorpainlessandcanappearonthegenitals,anus,ormouth
Dischargefromthevaginaorpenis:Thismaybeabnormalincolor,consistency,orsmell
Burningoritchinginthegenitalarea:Thismaybeaccompaniedbyrednessorswelling
Painduringurinationorsexualintercourse
Painorswellinginthetesticles
Rashorchangesinskincoloronthepalmsofthehandsorsolesofthefeet
Flu-likesymptoms,suchasfever,fatigue,andbodyaches
ItisimportanttonotethatmanySTDshavenosymptoms,orthesymptomsmaynotappearuntilseveralweeksormonthsafterinfection Thisiswhyitisimportanttogettested regularlyandpracticesafesextoreducetheriskofcontractingSTDs IfyouthinkyoumayhaveanSTD,itisimportanttoseekmedicalattentionassoonaspossibletoreceive treatmentandpreventthespreadofinfection

Genitalwarts:Genitalwartsarecausedbythehumanpapillomavirus(HPV) Theyaresmall, eshygrowthsthatcanappearonthegenitals,anus,andmouth
Chlamydia:Chlamydiaisabacterialinfectionthatcanaffectthegenitals,anus,andthroat
Gonorrhea:Gonorrheaisabacterialinfectionthatcanaffectthegenitals,anus,andthroat
Syphilis:Syphilisisabacterialinfectionthatcancausesoresonthegenitals,anus,andmouth
HepatitisB:HepatitisBisaviralinfectionthataffectstheliver Itcanbetransmittedthroughsexualcontact,aswellasthroughsharingneedlesorotherdruginjectionequipment ItisimportanttopracticesafesexandgettestedregularlytoreducetheriskofcontractingSTDs IfyouthinkyoumayhaveanSTD,itisimportanttoseekmedicalattentionassoon aspossibletoreceivetreatmentandpreventthespreadofinfection
Howtopreventsexuallytransmitteddiseases(STDs)?
Thereareseveralwaystoreducetheriskofcontractingsexuallytransmitteddiseases(STDs):
Usecondoms:CondomsareaneffectivebarriermethodthatcanhelptoreducetheriskofSTDswhenusedconsistentlyandcorrectly
Practicemonogamy:LimitingsexualcontactwithoneuninfectedpartnercanreducetheriskofSTDs
Getvaccinated:SomeSTDs,suchashepatitisBandHPV,canbepreventedwithvaccines


Gettested:RegulartestingisanimportantwaytostayinformedaboutyourSTDstatusandtoseektreatmentifnecessary
Avoidsharingneedlesorotherdruginjectionequipment:SharingneedlesorotherdruginjectionequipmentcanincreasetheriskofSTDs,aswellasotherblood-borneinfections

Usedentaldamsorcondomsduringoralsex:DentaldamsorcondomscanhelptoreducetheriskofSTDswhenusedduringoralsex
Avoidalcoholordruguse:Alcoholanddrugusecanimpairjudgmentandincreasetheriskofriskysexualbehaviors
AvoidsharingSexToys:Pleasedon’tshareorusepersonalsextoys,asitmaycausetotransmitSTDs
ItisimportanttorememberthattheonlywaytocompletelyeliminatetheriskofSTDsistoabstainfromsexualcontact Ifyouaresexuallyactive,itisimportanttopracticesafesex
