What Types Of STDs Are There?
STDs are divided into several groups according to their pathogenic causes:
BACTERIAL:
Chancroid (Haemophillius ducreyi);
Chlamydia infection (Chlamydia trachomatis);
Donovanosis (Granuloma inguinale or Calymmatobacterium granulomatis);
Gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae);
Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) (Clamydia trachomatis serotypes L1, L2, L3)
Non gonococcal urethritis (NGU) (Ureaplasma urealyticum or Mycoplasma hominis);
Syphilis (Treponema pallidum); etc.
VIRAL:
Cytomegalovirus;
Hepatitis B;
Herpes /HSV (Herpes simplex virus);
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV/AIDS);
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV);
Molluscum (MC);
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS); etc.
PARASITES:
Pubic Lice or, more popular, "crabs" (Phthirius pubis);
Scabies (Sarcoptes scabiei); etc.
FUNGAL:
Candidiasis (thrush) (Candida albicans) can be sexually transmitted but not strictly an STD;
PROTOZOAL:
Trichomoniasis (Trichomonas vaginalis)
How can I tell if I am infected with an STD?
Most of the symptoms of STDs can be found either on the genitals or in and around the mouth. Some of the most common STD symptoms are:
Itching around the vagina and/or discharge from the vagina for women;
Discharge from the penis for men;
Pain during sex, when urinating and/or in the pelvic area;
Sore throats in people who have oral sex;
Pain in the anus for people who have anal sex;
Chancre sores (painless red sores) on the genital area, anus, tongue and/or throat;
A scaly rash on the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet;
Dark urine, loose, light-coloured stools, and yellow eyes and skin;
Small blisters that turn into scabs on the genital area;
Swollen glands, fever and body aches;
Unusual infections, unexplained fatigue, night sweats and weight loss;
Soft, flesh-coloured warts around the genital area.
Since symptoms can vary from one person to another, the best way to know for sure whether you are infected or not with an STD is to have a medical examination.
Can STD infection be prevented?
It is not so difficult to prevent becoming infected with an STD. The risk of getting one can be reduced by using condoms during vaginal and anal sex. It has been scientifically proven that condoms help prevent HIV and other major STDs. Nevertheless STDs like herpes, pubic lice and wart virus can be spread by simple skin to skin contact.
In order to be effective the condom MUST be used every time you have sex!!!
Or you can think about these other solutions:
Not having sex at all. It is up to you to decide whether you want to have sex or not.
Have sex only in ways that do not present the risk of catching a major STD, like kissing, mutual masturbation or whatever you can think of.
Have sex with only one partner (monogamous relationship).
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