Sexually transmitted diseases or infections are diseases contracted after having sex with someone with the disease or infection. Sexually transmitted diseases can cause severe health conditions that need treatment. Like the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), some of them have no cure and can be fatal.
When dealing with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), understanding the array of pharmaceutical treatments available is crucial. This section explores the most effective medications and therapies, ensuring you are well-informed about your options.
For bacterial STIs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, antibiotics are the primary treatment. The type of antibiotic prescribed depends on the specific infection and its severity. For example:
It's important to complete the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms disappear, to ensure the infection is fully eradicated.
Viral STIs, such as herpes and HIV, require antiviral medications. These drugs don't cure the infections but can significantly control and manage them. For instance:
Prevention plays a key role in combating STIs/STDs. Vaccinations are available for certain STIs, such as Human Papillomavirus (HPV). The HPV vaccine is highly effective in preventing the types of HPV that most commonly cause cervical, anal, and genital cancers.
Regular screening and safe sex practices, including the use of condoms, are essential preventative measures. Early detection of STIs/STDs leads to more effective treatment and reduces the risk of transmission.
Understanding the pharmaceutical treatments for STIs/STDs is a crucial aspect of managing these infections. Whether it's through antibiotics for bacterial STIs or antiviral medications for viral infections, effective treatment options are available. Remember, prevention, including vaccination and safe sex practices, is just as important as treatment. Consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and treatment options.
Let us look at ten essential things to know to help you prevent contracting an STD and seek treatment.
Frequently confused, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexually transmitted infections do not mean the same thing. An infection brought about by parasites, viruses, or bacteria precedes a disease. An infection may not exhibit symptoms, but the disease has evident signs.
• Gonorrhea
• Syphilis
• Hepatitis B
• Chlamydia
• Genital warts
• Human papilloma virus
• Genital herpes
• Pubic lice
• Molluscum contagiosum
• Trichomoniasis
• HIV/AIDS
The infections are typically transmitted during sexual contact, skin contact, or bodily fluids via anal, oral, or vaginal sex. Some never progress to become a disease, primarily if the individual seeks treatment fast, while some go away themselves. However, if the pathogens that triggered the infection damage body cells and disrupted their function, it progresses to an STD.
STDs do not always have symptoms or can cause mild symptoms. This means that you can be infected and not know it but still transmit it to your sexual partner.
Symptoms may include:
• Abnormal discharge from your private parts
• Growths or blisters on the genital area
• Frequent or painful urination
• Redness and itching in the genital area
• Sores or blisters in the mouth
• Unusual vaginal odor
• Anal bleeding, soreness, or itching
• Fever
• Abdominal pain
If you know that you are sexually active, it is advisable to talk to a health care provider about your susceptibility to acquiring an STD and if you should be tested. This is crucial because many STDs do not typically have symptoms. Diagnosis may be through a physical exam, or microscopic examination of a fluid or sore swabbed from the anus, penis, or vagina. Your doctor can also request a blood test for some types of STDs.
STDs caused by parasites or bacteria can be treated with antibiotics. However, STDs caused by viruses, such as HIV, have no cure, but medicines can lower your risk of transmitting the infection and the symptoms.
Proper use of latex condoms dramatically minimizes but does not entirely eradicate the risk of spreading or catching STDs. If you are allergic to latex, there is the option of polyurethane condoms.
Restrict the number of sexual partners you engage with, as the more there are, the higher chances of catching an STD.
Do not use drugs or alcohol before having sex. You are less likely to wear a condom when high or drunk.
Also, there are vaccines to prevent hepatitis B and the human papillomavirus (HPV). The most dependable way to evade infection is staying away from oral, vaginal, or anal sex.
Some sexually transmitted infections can be transferred to a newborn during childbirth or to the fetus during pregnancy. Syphilis can be transmitted to an unborn baby, which causes a stillbirth, miscarriage, or infection. Pelvic inflammatory disease can impact future pregnancies raising the risk of ectopic pregnancy and causing infertility in 10 percent of affected women.
If you are pregnant, you should consider the following:
• Get tested for STIs, including syphilis and HIV, to avoid complications by detecting and treating the infection.
• See a healthcare professional if you have a sexually transmitted disease. The doctor will check your medication and advise whether to delay or continue with the treatment.
In some cases, you may require a caesarian delivery if you have genital warts that make the vagina not stretch as expected.
The only sexually transmitted diseases contracted from a toilet seat are certain viral or parasitic STDs.
• Crabs or pubic lice can survive outside the body on towels, clothing, and sheets for up to 24 hours. But they like to huddle in warm places. Although their feet are not made for walking on smooth and hard surfaces, such as a toilet seat, some still survive.
• Trichomoniasis can be acquired from contact with moist or damp objects such as a used towel or toilet seat upon contact with your genital area.
Many sexually transmitted infections have no visible symptoms. So, do not wait to see symptoms to see a doctor, instead go and see a doctor if you think you have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection and get checkups regularly.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.