Sex is a normal and healthy part of life but because of the intimacy and general squelchiness involved, it can also spread infections. There are various Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) that can be passed between sexual partners. Here's a rough guide to all the nastiness around with tips on how to avoid getting a dose!
Some STDs can cause serious and permanent damage to your health if left untreated. You can end up infertile or get brain damage, so it is important that STDs are diagnosed by a doctor and treated as soon as possible. Anyone can get an STD - it's not revenge for sleeping around. If you're having sex, you can get an STD, full stop. However, boring as it sounds, the more partners you have and the more unprotected sex you have, the greater the risk that you will get an infection (as if you didn't already know). And it gets scarier. Even if you and your partner have been faithful to each other for a long time it is possible you can discover an infection that has been lying dormant in your body. Just because one partner suddenly gets an infection, it doesnÂ’t mean the other has been unfaithful. (So if you have been unfaithful and got something unpleasant, at least you've got an excuse for your partner!)
It is absolutely vital to be open and honest with your sexual partner or partners if you find that you have an infection. Coyness or embarrassment is no excuse. You must tell everyone you cop off with the truth so they can check whether they're infected and if so, have the disease properly diagnosed and treated. otherwise the disease can end up infecting a hell of a lot more people, which is a tad nasty and irresponsible now, isn't it! (apologies for the mumsy tone clterati just adopted but it's true)
STDÂ’s are spread by all types of sexual activity, including vaginal intercourse , oral sex and anal sex. The ways to avoid catching and/or passing on STD's are pretty obvious. If you've got any STD symptoms, donÂ’t have sex till you've had a check up. Symptoms to watch out for include:
Ideally, make a routine check of your bits a part of your health MOT - better to be safe and all that. If you go with a girlie mate and have cocktails afterwards, it's a lot less intimidating. You've got someone's hand to hold when you're waiting for the result and can support each other if anything nasty does surface (NB: make sure it's not a mate with a gob the size of the Mersey Tunnel though!) Other tips include getting to know your partner(s) before you have sex This doesn't mean knowing their favourite band, film and book (although obviously having sex with a Cartoons fan is best avoided) Find out about their sexual history, their attitude to safe sex (if they look blank at this stage, leave) and whether they have any STD's already (this is easiest handled in a jokey way - 'Just checking before we get all squelchy - you're not going to give me anything other than multiple orgasms are you?') obviously, if you have any infection, let them know before you go making the beast with the two backs - they may be gorgeous and may refuse to shag you if you've got an infection but it's only fair. You'd want to be told wouldn't you? Other than that, it's the usual boring stuff - limit the number of sexual partners you have and use condoms.
So with all of that out of the way, what does all this hard work help you avoid? Here's a brief run-down.
CHLAMYDIA 7
Often there are no symptoms at all of Chlamydia. Up to half of all cases, and an even higher rate in women, are asymptomatic and this is why it is often called the “silent epidemic”. Even if symptoms are absent it is still transmittable and contractible. Pregnant women should be concerned about their babies if they have Chlamydia because babies can contract the disease during birth and develop infections in their eyes, ears, lungs and genitals. Eye infections can lead to conjunctivitis and lung infections to pneumonia. Scientists have recently made a link between Chlamydia and cervical cancer with one strain of the disease, type G, increasing the risk of cancer nearly sevenfold and other types increasing the risk to a lesser degree.
Symptoms
Dangers
GENITAL WARTS
Genital Warts, also known as Venereal Warts and Condyloma, are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Some strains of the HPV virus that causes warts can cause cervical cancer, which is treatable. Genital Warts are detectable with oneÂ’s fingers. They are small, soft growths that can look like cauliflowers or be flat. They are coloured white, pink or sometimes brown. Many people do not show any symptoms of Genital Warts other than the warts themselves. You may also not have warts but still have the virus that causes them. The presence of Genital Warts or the HPV virus that causes them usually means that a person is susceptible to other infections. If you have warts you are also more likely to catch or spread other STDs.
Symptoms
Dangers
GONORRHOEA
Gonorrhoea is a bacterium that grows and multiplies quickly in warm, moist areas, affecting the urethra, vagina, cervix, anus, throat, joints and eyes. Pregnant women should be concerned about their babies if they have Gonorrhoea because babies can contract the disease during birth and develop an infection in their eyes that can lead to blindness if not treated.
Symptoms
Dangers
HERPES
Unlike many of the other diseases, Herpes is not caused by bacteria but by a virus. Type 1 of the virus is from the same group that causes Chicken Pox and is referred to as oral Herpes. Type 2 is less common and is known as Genital Herpes. Symptoms of Herpes usually appear between two and 12 days after contraction and can disappear and re-appear Symptoms
Dangers
HIV/AIDS HIV is the abbreviation for human immunodeficiency virus and AIDS is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome Currently there is no cure for HIV and AIDS. However an unprecedented number of researchers are working on both treatments and vaccines. New drug treatments offer hope to sufferers, often prolonging and improving their lives. HIV can be spread through unprotected vaginal, anal and oral sex, from male to female, female to male and male to male. Female to female transmission is possible but rare.
A woman infected with HIV can pass it on to her baby during pregnancy or birth and also during breast-feeding. The child of an infected mother has about a one in four likelihood of being born with HIV.
The initial symptoms of HIV infection are similar to flu and will usually last 3-14 days and then go away. Sometimes swelling of the glands will continue.
Within several months of HIV infection there may be repeated episodes of the preliminary flu-like symptoms. After that, an average period of five to seven years will pass without another sign of HIV infection, although this delay can range from a few months to more than 15 years. Even while the symptoms are not evident, the virus is still multiplying in the body and the sufferer can spread the virus to others. Glands or lymph nodes are immune system organs that become swollen in the early stages of HIV infection. They are easily checked by feeling in the neck and groin with your fingers. The onset of full-blown AIDS is characterised by the appearance of other, opportunistic infections that take hold because the immune system is weakened. The symptoms displayed may result from the HIV or the opportunistic infections.
HIV and AIDS may involve virtually every organ in the body, so many other conditions may be mistaken for them, including cancer, especially lymphoma which causes malnutrition or weight loss, senile dementia, gastrointestinal infection, colitis, inflammatory bowel disease and depression.
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), which develops from HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), a sexually transmitted virus, is the most virulent killer of the STDs. Since the first cases surfaced in 1981 it has killed more than 22 million people throughout the world and over 36 million people are today living with HIV. In some places the epidemic is still spreading at a growing rate although it has been largely controlled in most parts of the Western world. In Africa it has become a pandemic, with the disease out of control, killing over 6,000 people a day. In 8 African countries, at least 15% of adults are infected. In Botswana, a shocking 35.8% are now infected with HIV, while South Africa has the largest number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the world, as well as one of the world's fastest-growing epidemics For more information on AIDS and HIV visit the United Nations Aids website.
Symptoms
Early Stage or Primary HIV
Later Stage
AIDS
PUBIC LICE & SCABIES
Lice and scabies, commonly known as crabs, are annoying little insects that live on your body. Scratching lice and scabies in the pubic areas can open the skin surface and lead to infection by other STDs.
Symptoms
Dangers
SYPHILIS
Syphilis is caused by the bacteria, Treponema Palladium, and produces symptoms that occur in stages starting anywhere from 10 to 90 days after contraction. Chancres or sores in Stage 1 of Syphilis are firm, round and often painless. Stage 3 symptoms of Syphilis can be very serious and can show up years later. If left untreated, syphilis can cause widespread complications
SymptomsStage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3 Symptoms often become internal and affect areas like:
Dangers
Infection of babies. May include:
THRUSH
Thrush is a yeast known as Candida that lives on the skin, in the mouth and gut. At least three out of four women will suffer from it at some time but it is much less common in men. It is more likely to develop if you are pregnant, wearing tight jeans or nylon underwear, have diabetes, are on the pill, taking certain antibiotics or, obviously, having unprotected sex with someone with Thrush.
Symptoms
Dangers
TRICHOMONAS
Trichomonas is an infection sometimes called “TV”, caused by a tiny parasite found in the vagina and urethra. There is often very little to see in the way of symptoms and it is sometimes discovered during a routine cervical smear. With Trichomonas, vaginal discharge may increase, become thinner, frothy or yellow/green in colour and develop a musty fishy smell.Symptoms
Dangers
Other Useful Advice
(Information provided by Doctor Checkoff's Guide to Life)
