Common STD Symptoms
Sexually transmitted diseases are referred to infections that get transferred from one person to another by way of sexual contact. They are also known as sexually transmitted infections because they transmit a disease causing organism from one person to another through sexual activity. A lot of people think that sexual contact is not just sexual intercourse but also oral and vaginal. Some forms of sexual contact include oral-genital contact, kissing and using sexual toys.
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Infection with an HIV leads to the weakening of one’s immune system, increasing the vulnerability of the body to many other infections and even the development of cancer. While there are no specific symptoms of HIV, the initial illness caused by it are characterised by headaches, painful lymph nodes, vomiting, fever, diarrhoea and muscle and joint pains.
Chancroid
Chancroid is an infection that is caused by a bacterium called Hemophilus ducreyi. This infection develops as a tender bump that comes out or emerges at least 3 to 10 days post exposure to the bacterium. The cells responsible for formation of bumps then begin to die and the bump becomes an ulcer i.e. an open wound which can be very painful.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is an infection caused by a bacterium that is similar to the one that causes gonorrhoea. Chlamydia affects over 4 million women each year. A majority of the women suffering from Chlamydia do not develop any symptoms and the most common infestation of the infection is cervicitis or infection of the uterine cervix. Women with this infection may experience abdominal pain and vaginal discharge.
Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is a common bacterial infection that is caused by an organism called Neisseria gonorrhoea. Over one million women have been said to be affected by this STD currently. The symptoms of gonorrhoea include burning or frequent urination, redness and swelling of the genitals, yellowish vaginal discharge and burning or itching of the vaginal area.
Hepatitis B
The hepatitis B virus is one that causes inflammation of the liver. This disease is not thought of to be a sexually transmitted infection. Not all cases of hepatitis B show symptoms in the beginning. In fact, only 50 percent of the total cases show them. These symptoms include yellow colouration of the skin as well as eyes, abdominal pain, nausea, generalised malaise, edema and ascites.
Genital Herpes
Genital herpes, also referred to as herpes, is a viral infection that gets transmitted through intimate contact with the mucus covered linings of the mouth, genital skin or vagina. Once a person has been exposed to the virus, there would be an incubation period that lasts 3 to 7 days. It starts as a tingling or itching sensation that is followed by redness of the skin. The incubation period lasts till a blister forms around the affected area. These blisters are painful to touch and usually last for 7 to 14 days.
Syphilis
Syphilis is referred to an STD that is caused by a bacterial organism that is called spirochete. Typically, there are three stages of syphilis along with a stage that remains inactive. The first stage is formation of an ulcer, the second stage of the disease may involve different organs of the body and the third stage is a latent stage. Symptoms range with each stage and women may experience hair loss, sore throat, skin rash that does not itch, fever, white patches in the nose, mouth and vagina, headaches, etc.
Human Papillomavirus and Genital Warts
There are over 40 different types of HPVs that can cause genital warts and lead to an infection of the genital tract of both men and women. HPV is best identified with the formation of warts on the affected parts of the body. It has been known that a common reason why women have cervical cancer is because of an undiagnosed and treated infection caused by HPV.
Ectoparasitic Infections
This is an infection caused by tiny parasitic bugs that get transmitted by way of close physical contact. Because these are parasites breeding on the skin, the patient will experience lots of itching that refuses to subside unless topical creams are prescribed for regular application and the bedding as well as clothing of the patient is machine-washed.
