Reduce the Risks  •  Diseases  •  Ecto-Parasites

"Venereal diseases"...the words themselves create an uncomfortable feeling in most people. "Sexually transmitted diseases"...also seem to convey a message of wrongdoing.

These terms refer to communicable diseases which are spread through direct contact with infectious areas. Among the venereal, some are incurable, some have serious complications, while others are simply annoying.

The most prevalent sexually transmitted disease is chlamydia, named for the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis. It strikes between 3 and 10 million Americans each year. With proper testing chlamydia can be identified and appropriate medication prescribed. If left untreated, the infection can be spread throughout the reproductive system.

Syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia can cause serious damage if left untreated. Trichomoniasis, Candida, crabs, and venereal warts usually have no long lasting effects, but create much discomfort. Herpes Simplex has no cure at this time.

If you have had direct contact with infectious areas through any kind of intimate contact such as necking, petting or intercourse, you can become infected.

On the other hand, an infectious person may have no outward signs of infection. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the risks you are taking and the preventative measures which can be used.

See your doctor or clinic to diagnose and treat infections. Non prescription medications may not be effective to treat some infections. If symptoms continue or are not relieved by treatment see your doctor for further testing and evaluation.

Reduce the Risks

• Observation
  Don't be afraid to look before you have contact. If you see any suspicious sores, rash, discharge or detect a strong odor, discuss it with your partner. What you see may be highly contagious.
• Limit Partners
  Having contact with one person who is limiting contact to you reduces your chance of becoming infected. If your partner is having contact with others who may be infected, the infection could be passed on to you without your knowing it.
• Use a condom
  The latex condom is one of the best preventative measures against these diseases. when put on before any contact and properly removed, it provides good protection.
• Urination
  Urinating immediately after contact can flush out some germs (especially for the male).
• Soap and water
  Washing before and immediately after contact can wash away the germs. However, these germs may penetrate the skin before you have a chance to wash.
• Regular STD/VD Checkup
  Based on your sexual activity, you should have periodic STD/VD checkups. Ask your doctor for the specific tests for syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia since these tests may not be part of the routine examination.
• Simultaneous Treatment
  It is essential to notify your partner when you are infected. Both people should be treated at the same time to keep from reinfecting each other. Continue to use condoms to prevent further infection.

Diseases
AIDS  •  Gonorrhea  •  Syphilis  •  Herpes Simplex  •  Vaginitis  •  Candida  •  Vaginosis  •  Chlamydia  •  Venereal Warts  •  Molluscum Contagiosum

• Cause: HIV virus.
• First symptoms usually appear: several weeks to many years.
• Usual symptoms: night sweats, swollen glands, unexplained weight loss, persistent cough, fatigue, chronic diarrhea, persistent blue and brown skin lesions and oral thrush (white spots in mouth), or may have none.
• Transmission: Sexual intercourse with partner or partners having infected body fluids. Sharing of contaminated needles. Blood transfusion. Mother to unborn baby.
• Diagnosis: Blood test for HIV antibodies to determine possible exposure to virus.
• Complications: Pneumocystis carini pneumonia (PCP), Kaposi's Sarcoma, Opportunistic infections, Death.

• Cause: Bacteria.
• First symptoms usually appear: 2 - 10 days, up to 30 days.
• Usual symptoms: White or yellow discharge from genitals or anus, pain on urination or defecation, throat infections are usually without symptoms. Some people have no symptoms at all. 
  • Women: Low abdominal pain especially after period. May have no symptoms.
  • Men: May have no symptoms.
• Transmission: Direct contact of infected mucous membrane with the urethra, cervix, anus, throat or eyes.
• Diagnosis: Women: Culture.
• Diagnosis: Men: Smear or Culture.
• Complications: Sterility, arthritis, endocarditis, perihepatitis, meningitis, blindness.
  • Women: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
  • Men: Urethral stricture, erection problems
  • Newborn: Blindness

• Cause: spirochete.
• First symptoms usually appear: 10 - 90 days, usually 3 weeks.
• Usual symptoms: 1st stage: Chancre (painless pimple, blister or sore) where germs entered body, i.e. genitals, anus, lips, breast, etc. 2nd stage: Rash or mucous patches (most are highly infective), spotty hair loss, sore throat, swollen glands. Symptoms may reoccur for up to 2 years. Some people have no symptoms at all. 
• Transmission: Usually direct sexual contact with infectious sores, rashes or mucous patches.
• Diagnosis: VDRL blood test, or microscopic examination of organisms from sores.
• Complications: Brain damage, paralysis, heart disease, death. Also damage to skin, bones, eyes, teeth and liver of the fetus and newborn.

• Cause: virus.
• First symptoms usually appear: highly variable, most people have outbreak within 30 days of exposure.
• Usual symptoms: Cluster of tender, painful blisters. Painful urination. Swollen glands and fever. Feeling of malaise.
• Transmission: Direct contact with blisters or open sores.
• Diagnosis: Pap smear, culture taken when the blisters or sores are present.
• Complications: Severe central nervous system damage or death in infants infected during birth.

• Cause: A motile protozoan with flagella (a tail that moves).
• First symptoms usually appear: Varies (1 - 4 weeks).
• Usual symptoms: Heavy, frothy discharge. Intense itching, burning and redness.
• Transmission: Direct contact with infected area.
• Diagnosis: Microscopic examination of discharge.
• Complications: Mild chronic infection.

• Cause: Overgrowth of normal yeast from various causes.
• First symptoms usually appear: Varies.
• Usual symptoms: Thick, cheesy discharge. Intense itching and skin irritation.
• Transmission: Overgrowth of normal flora.
• Diagnosis: Microscopic examination of discharge.
• Complications: Mild chronic infection.

• Cause: Overgrowth of normal bacteria in vagina.
• First symptoms usually appear: Varies.
• Usual symptoms: Vaginal discharge with a fishy odor. Often a burning sensation in vagina, especially after sex.
• Transmission: Overgrowth of normal bacteria.
• Diagnosis: Microscopic examination of discharge.
• Complications: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), Glandular infections, Secondary infections, mild, chronic infection.
• Probably NOT sexually transmitted, but sometimes treating a partner also will clear up recurrent infections.

• Cause: "Intracellular parasite" __Similar to a bacteria and a virus,  passed via sex in penile or vaginal fluids.
• First symptoms usually appear: 7 - 14 days.
• Usual symptoms: Watery, white discharge. Discomfort while urinating. Women may have bleeding (non-menstrual) or may have no symptoms.
• Transmission: Direct contact with infected area during sexual contact.
• Diagnosis: Tissue culture or slide antibody test.
• Complications: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), sterility, prostatitis, epididymitis.

• Cause: virus.
• First symptoms usually appear: Highly variable, pregnancy accelerates growth of pre-existing H.P.V.
• Usual symptoms: Local irritation, itching and wart-like growths usually on the genitals, anus or throat. Often people have no symptoms.
• Transmission: Direct contact with warts_virus can be invisible in cells of penis or vagina and passed on without visible warts.
• Diagnosis: Visual examination.
• Complications: Highly contagious: can spread enough to block vaginal, rectal or throat openings.

• Cause: Virus.
• First symptoms usually appear: 1-3 months.
• Usual symptoms: Small, round, shiny flesh-colored papules.
• Transmission: Direct contact, highly contagious.
• Diagnosis: Visual examination.
• Complications: Mild chronic disease, local infection.

Ecto-Parasites

• Cause: 6-legged louse.
• First symptoms usually appear: 4-5 weeks.
• Usual symptoms: Intense itching, pinhead blood spots on underwear, nits in hair.
• Transmission: Direct contact with infested area or clothes and bedding which contain lice or nits.
• Diagnosis: Visual examination.
• Complications: Secondary infections as a result of scratching.

• Cause: itch mite.
• First symptoms usually appear: 4-5 weeks.
• Usual symptoms: Intense itching at night, raised gray lines on skin.
• Transmission: direct contact with infested area or clothes and bedding.
• Diagnosis: Visual examination.
• Complications: Secondary infections as a result of scratching.