Topics covered: Sexually transmitted diseases, some sexually transmitted diseases list, what are the sexually transmitted diseases

Sexually Transmitted Diseases II Sexually transmitted diseases list 

The diseases which are transmitted through sexual intercourse are called Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). They are widely studied under STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) nowadays. The main cause of the sexually transmitted diseases is unsafe sex. Unsafe sex means to have sexual relations with many sexual partners without using a condom. There are more than 20 sexually transmitted infections i.e. sexually transmitted diseases including HIV, Hepatitis B, Gonorrhea, Syphilis. Chancroid, Chlamydia and Trichomoniasis. While you search in google you will find many sexually transmitted diseases list which are more but the major sexually disease that we must be acknowledged are described below: 

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

a) HIV/AIDS

This is the popular sexually transmitted diseases mainly popular all over the world. The full form of AIDS is Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is caused by RNA Retrovirus HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). Syndrome is a collection of several signs and symptoms. More appropriately, it is also called a syndrome instead of disease many signs and symptoms may be seen together in AIDS. HIV destroys the immune system of our body and creates a condition where there is deficiency of the immune power.  The HIV virus attacks the CD4 positive T-lymphocytes and they increase their number billion times a day by continuous replication of viral RNA with the help of its replication enzymes. HIV was first recognized in USA in July 1981 in some African (Haitian) people. Since then it has been spreading all over the world rapidly. It is assumed that 7,500 people are infected with HIV each day and there are more than 33 million people infected with HIV in the world at present. HIV entered lately in Asia. It has remarkably found among injecting drug abusers, too. IT is transmitted to a healthy person by blood, mucus, semen and vaginal secretions. 

HIV is a microscopic virus, and sexually transmitted diseases which may be transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person in the following ways; 

HIV is transferred: 

• By transfusing HIV-infected blood. 
• By sharing a common syringe, needle, tattooing instrument and other materials which come in contact with blood.  
• By indulging a unsafe sex (oral sex, anal sex and sex without using a condom). 
• By a pregnant mother to her unborn fetus. 
• By breastfeeding mother to her child through breast milk. 
• By accidental piercing with an infected-blood-contaminated syringe to health workers. 

HIV is an infection cannot be treated with any medication till now. But its adverse effects can be controlled to a certain extent by using some anti-retroviral medications. There is a false belief that HIV can be transmitted if we go close to an infected person, work together and live together. Such false belief has been a problem in the rehabilitation of infected persons in the family and society. 

HIV is not transferred 

• Through external touch and respiration 
• By being and working together. 
• By sharing a common room, latrine, bathroom and utensils. 
• By hugging and kissing. 
• By mosquito and other insect-bites. 
• By playing, studying and living together. 
• By having safe sex using condom properly. 

Signs and symptoms of HIV/AIDS 

As it is a sexually transmitted diseases, the major cause of HIV/AIDS is also regarded as unsafe sexual behavior. HIV and AIDS do not have similar meaning. HIV is the name of the virus and AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection. There is no AIDS immediately after the entry of the virus in the body. There are altogether four stages: incubation, acute infection, latency and AIDS. 

HIV infection does not show any distinct symptom during incubation. The initial incubation period usually lasts between two to four weeks. Incubation is the period between the entrance of the virus and the first sign of its effects. 

There are some minor signs in the second stage, acute infection may last an average of 28 days. This stage includes minor symptoms like fever, swollen lymph gland (lymphadenopathy), mouth and esophageal sores, and mind muscle pains (mylagia). 

The third stage, latency stage, may show very few or no symptoms at all and may last from two weeks to 20 years or more even. 

The final stage, AIDS, is the stage before death. This stage is characterized by various opportunistic infections. The immune power of an AIDS victim severely declines. The following symptoms are seen in the AIDS stage.

• Enlarged, and painful lymph glands (lymphadenopathy)
• Oral, pharyngeal and esophageal sore. 
• Persistent unhealed skin wounds throughout the body surface. This may be Kaposi's sarcoma. 
• Remarkable weight loss.
• Unhealed malignancy of any part of the body. 
• Continuous fever, cough, sores, diarrhoea, etc. which remain unhealed. 

b) Syphilis 

Among the sexually transmitted diseases list, syphilis is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. Though it is transmitted through sexual intercourse, it affects the vital organs like the heart liver, and brain. It is caused by a microorganism, Treponema Pallidum. 

Microscopic view of Treponema Pallidum 

Syphilis can also be acquired from blood transfusion. It is transmitted through common use of syringes. It is found spreading among injecting drug users. Syphilis is also transmitted from a pregnant mother to the fetus through the placenta. There is almost 50 percent transmission of syphilis from an infected mother to the fetus. 

Symptoms of Syphilis 

The symptoms of syphilis gradually develop over a long period of time. This sexually transmitted diseases have three stages on the basis of oneset of symptoms of the disease- primary, secondary stage and tertiary stage. 

i. Primary stage: The first sign of syphilis in its primary stage is an appearance of a chancre. It generally appears two to four weeks after infection. The most common locations for the chancre are the genitals, anus, lips, inner parts of mouth, and breast. The chancre does not have any pain or itch. It disappears  itself within one to five weeks. 

ii. Secondary stage: Secondary stage of Syphilis begins anytime from one week to six months after the chancre health. The symptoms include a pale red rash, fever, sore throat, headaches, poor appetite, weight loss, and hair loss. If it is not diagnosed and treated properly, it develops into the third stage of syphilis. 

iii. Tertiary or late syphilis: It is the third and final stage of syphilis. Late syphilis involves serious heart problems, eye problems, and brain or spinal cord damage. The patient becomes mentally deranged and dies. 

c) Gonorrhea 

While talking sexual transmitted diseases list, then Gonorrhea is one of the sexually transmitted diseases spread worldwide. In medical language, the prefix 'Gono-' denotes the genital organs and the suffix '-rhhea' means discharge. In this way, the name of the disease suggests one of the main symptoms of this disease, i.e., unusual discharge of fluids from the genital organs. Gonorrhea is caused by microscopic bacteria called; Gonococcus of Neisser. 

The bacteria affects the male and female genital organs, and the anus and throat, too. It is transmitted through the contamination of infected blood. It is also acquired through infected blood transfusion. Gonorrhea is the oldest form of STI / sexually transmitted diseases. 

Symptoms of Gonorrhea

• In early stage of Gonorrhea, there may not be remarkable symptoms.
• The main characteristics feature of Gonorrhea is the discharge of yellowish fluid with foul odor from the genital organs.
• Swelling, appearance of red spots , and pain in the genital organs.
• Fever with abdominal pain.
• Frequent and burning urination.
• There is accumulation of pus in prostate gland of males.
• In females, there is lower abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and irregular menstruation cycle.
• Gonorrhea may damage the  reproductive organs resulting in infertility.
• In infants, it is characterized with redness of eyes and its surroundings and over secretion of tear.

Preventive measures of Syphilis and Gonorrhea

• There must be reliable blood monitoring before blood transfusion.
• Common syringes should not be used. Encourage disposable syringes if needed.
• Education about STIs and their mode of transmissions should be given.
• Avoid unsafe sex. If there are multiple sex partners, always use condom.
• Identify the diseased person and treat him/her immediately. Penicillin has effective control over syphilis.
• Do not use common razor, tattooing instruments, or any other piercing instrument that comes in contact with  blood.

d) Chancroid

It is a sexually transmitted diseases or infection caused by the bacterium Haemophilul Ducreyi. The infection begins with the appearance of painful open sores on the genitals, sometimes accompained by swollen, tender lymph nodes in the groin. These lymph nodes in the groin. These symptoms occur within a week after exposure to the causative agents. Symptoms in women are often less noticeable and may be limited to painful urination or defecation, painful intercourse, rectal bleeding or vaginal discharge.

It can be treated effectively with several antibiotics. Chancroid is one of the genital ulcer sexually transmitted diseases  associated with increase risk of transmission of HIV, the cause of AIDS.

It is also known as soft chance , soft sore and soft ulcer.

Preventive Measures of Chancroid Ulcer

Preventive measures of STIs: (Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Chancroid and HIV/AIDS)

• Never indulge in unsafe sex. If the partner is doubtful , use a condom.
• Never use a common syringe  and needle for any purpose.
• Awareness program for community people about STIs, HIV and AIDS should be conducted.
• HIV--monitoring must be done during blood donation and transfusion.
• HIV infected females should not be pregnant.
• Spread knowledge about condoms and methods of appropriate use to prevent STIs and HIV/AIDS.
• HIV infected persons should be treated normally without any sort of isolation and discrimination. Proper counseling may need adjustment of the patient in the family and society.
• Provide proper care and help to the victims.
• Health education should be made accessible to all. Inclusion of communicable diseases, precautions, safety measures and prevention methods should be included in health education.
• If one's spouse (husband/wife0 or sex partner is diagnosed with any form of STI, probability of infection becomes high. In this condition, immediate check-up and treatment should be done.
• STIs should not be concealed under any circumstances. It should be treated in early stage .
• Hesitation to discussion on sex and sex-related matters should be discouraged. STI, sexuality, safe and healthy sex-behaviors should be openly discussed among friends, teachers and family members.