STDs- Aware of Being Exposed

Sex is a pleasurable experience, which everyone enjoys and thinks of it very anxiously. But, sometimes sex may put you in very dangerous situation, it seems odd but it is true. Millions of people get affected from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) every year and the unprotected sex and hygiene are the main reasons behind this deadly problem. Always keep in mind that condoms are highly effective for the reduction in transmission of STDs but no method is foolproof effective and sure.

STDs are also referred to as Venereal Diseases (VD). Sexual behaviour, including vaginal intercourse, anal sex and oral sex without protection may lead to STDs. Whereas, this disease is not only transmitted because of sex but it can also be contracted by using IV drug needles after their use by an infected person. It has been proved in an American study that there are 19 million new cases of venereal diseases produce every year. Moreover, the World Health Organization has stated in its report that estimated 448 million people aged between 15 and 49 got infected in the year in 2005 with curable STDs including Syphilis, Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia. 

STDs in men:

Men generally do not know that they are suffering from STDs because these may be asymptomatic, which means without any symptoms. If men possess no symptoms, it means that they are at risk of passing the infection to their sex partners. Some of the STD types and tests, which men should know that they can prone, are as follows:

Chlamydia:

It is the most common infection caused due to bacteria of your genital tract. An estimated 1 million individuals are affected by this common STD in the United States. This infection is very difficult to detect because early-stage infections often cause few or no signs. Whenever you are at risk of getting affected by Chlamydia, the symptoms are mild. Some of the early signs of getting affected by Chlamydia are painful urination, lower abdominal pain, discharge from the penis and testicular pain.

Tests and treatment- This infection normally gets treated with antibiotics such as doxycycline. Usually this infection gets treated only in one dose but sometimes men have to take these for seven days. In case of women severe Chlamydia infection may require hospitalization. After going through the cycle of treatment, infected people should be re-tested to make sure the infection is cured. Try not to have sex until you are sure that you and your partner no longer have the disease.

Gonorrhoea:

Gonorrhoea is another type of sexually transmitted infection that can affect the anus, throat, or urethra and is very common in the United States. This infection is transmitted when a man has anal, oral, and/or vaginal sex with woman who has been infected. Generally, men with this infection do not display any symptoms at all but some do, which include pain when urinating, swollen testicles and anal itching, a green, white, or yellow discharge from the penis.

Tests and treatment- Gonorrhoea is diagnosed by the health care professional with certain laboratory tests. After tests, if this infection gets proved then the doctor will provide you antibiotics, which may cure this infection usually in a single dose. If you’re being treated then you should know that your partner should be tested too. Wait until you and your partner finish your treatment before you start having sex again.

Syphilis:

This is a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria that infects the genital area, lips, mouth, or anus of both men and women. It has been believed that this infection has infected 12 million people in the year 1999 and more than 90% of cases in the developing world. Syphilis usually transfers from sexual contact with someone who has it. Moreover, syphilis usually causes small, painless sore and swollen lymph nodes. Non-itchy skin rash, often on your hands and feet are also the symptoms of syphilis if not treated early. Syphilis also causes serious health problems and even leads to an infected person to death in rare cases.

Tests and treatment- If caught early then this infection can be easily cured with antibiotics. These can be treated with an injection of penicillin or 14 days of antibiotics. Moreover, correct use of latex condoms reduces the risks of STDs, but does not completely eliminate the risk of catching or spreading syphilis.

Hepatitis:

Approximately, more than 780,000 people die every year in the United States of America due to the hepatitis complications. Hepatitis is a viral disease and is of three different kinds including Hepatitis A, B and C. These all kinds of hepatitis are sexually transmitted, whereas hepatitis B is one of the deadliest sexually transmitted disease. This disease refers to the viral infections that cause inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis mainly occurs due to the excessive and prolonged consumption of alcohol or continuous usage of certain medicines and drugs. Symptoms like fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting, headache, dark urine and liver enlargement are the alarming signals of developing hepatitis.

Tests and treatment- If you feel the above symptoms, then rush to your doctor, who will advise you the right tests and treatment. Blood test will be performed by the health care provider to check for the presence of an antibody. If you are diagnosed with hepatitis then more blood samples may be taken by your doctor to check for complications. Sometimes the doctor may ask you to check your blood again six months after your visit to confirm your hepatitis B status. Interferon alpha and adevofir dipivoxil are the medicines which will be preferred by your doctor to treat this disease.

HIV/AIDS:

This Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a deadly disease and commonly leads to death. Approximately 1.2 million people were living with HIV, resulting in about 17,500 deaths in the year 2008 in the United States. Moreover, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated that in the year 2008, 20% of infected Americans were unaware of their infection. This disease is transmitted by blood and body fluids. Most of the HIV infections do not have any symptoms. Moreover, HIV infected person remain healthy and symptom-free for many years. Whenever, HIV infection leads to AIDS, dangerous symptoms can develop and ultimately lead to death. High fever, soaking night sweats and loss of body weight are some of the prime symptoms of HIV/AIDS.

Tests and treatment-

Basically, there is no cure for HIV, but there are some medicines like ritonavir, lamivudine and nelfinavir that help the infected people to live long. If a person is exposed to HIV, then there is a post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medication that helps people in living longer life. PEP medication should be started by the infected person as soon as possible but not later than 72 hours after the exposure.

Final words:

For getting protected and not attacked by the STDs, it's very important to abstain yourself from sex because this is the best and effective way to avoid STDs and if you want to have sexual intercourse then use a fresh latex condom, whether you will perform oral, vaginal or anal sex. STD symptoms aren't always obvious and if you think that you are infected by STD symptoms or have been exposed to an STD, go to your doctor. These can be treated by your doctor if diagnosed at an early stage, but some like HIV/AIDS require long-term treatment for people to only live longer life.