STD Testing Info

Glandular fever is the common name for infection Mononucleosis which is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. This infection can make one quite ill but the individual suffering from the infection usually makes a full recovery.

Glandular Fever – Causes

The Epstein-Barr virus causes the glandular fever. It is passed on via the saliva and the mucus produced in the nose and throat of the infected person. People who are suffering from glandular fever are most infectious when they have fever. As the disease is spread mainly via the saliva and close contact, it is also referred to as the ‘Kissing Disease’. Hence, close contact and using the same towel and spoons with the infected person should be avoided.

The virus affects the cells of the salivary glands and a certain part of the white blood cells which are known as B-lymphocytes which are actually responsible for producing the antibodies against diseases. The infection begins in the salivary glands and large amount of the virus is released in the saliva. The virus then spreads to the B-lymphocytes where they multiply causing the lymph nodes to swell up and become very painful.

Glandular Fever – Symptoms

At the onset of the mononucleosis infection, the symptoms pass off as that of flu for about two weeks. The health practitioner usually suspects otherwise after some time has elapsed and there is no improvement in the condition of the patient. Some of the common symptoms seen in glandular fever are:

    * Fever along with severe fatigue
    * A soar throat along with swollen tonsils which are heavily covered with a white coating
    * Headache and muscle pain
    * Excessive tendency to sweat
    * Sore and swollen lymph nodes in the throat, armpits and the groin
    * Enlargement of liver along with jaundice
    * Development of rash on parts of the body especially the trunk and limbs
    * Stomach pain along with signs that the spleen has enlarged

Glandular Fever – Complications

The spleen which is present under the ribs on the left side at the back can sometimes become enlarged because of glandular fever. This is usually a very rare complication and the spleen can get swollen to a point that it can rupture. In such cases, an emergency surgery to remove the spleen will have to be performed as the ruptured spleen can cause heavy internal bleeding. This would be associated with abdominal pain along with the sudden deterioration in the patient.

Further, in theory there is also the risk of damaging the spleen if the patient who is recovering from the infection takes part in heavy physical activities. Therefore the patients are strongly advised not to exercise for four weeks after the disease has ended.

Apart from the inflammation of the spleen, the rare complications that are seen in patients with glandular fever include damage to the nervous system like inflammation of the brain, hepatitis, pneumonia and anemia. Further, it has also been estimated that about 10% of the people who have glandular fever develop long term chronic fatigue syndrome accompanied with occasional fever, the respiratory canal can become partially blocked, the number of platelets in the blood may decrease and lymph node enlargement.

Glandular Fever – Treatment

There is no set path of treatment for glandular fever. People suffering from glandular fever usually recover completely in a couple of weeks. The treatment is only prescribed for the symptoms if they become very troublesome:

    * Fluids: It is very important to consume plenty of fluid during the infection. Swallowing the liquid can be rather painful during a sore throat but not drinking can lead to dehydration especially if the patient also has fever. Further, mild dehydration can also make the tiredness and headache worse.
    * Antibiotics: Antibiotics does not kill the virus that causes the glandular fever. However, in some cases, people develop a secondary bacterial infection on the inflamed tonsils which the antibiotics will be able to treat.
    * Paracetamol: can be prescribed to ease the pain, headache and fever.
    * Steroids: As steroids help in reducing the inflammation, a short course of the steroids can be prescribed to reduce the throat inflammation. However, the use of steroids is very rare.

A woman gives birth to a child and therefore she is considered to be the originator of life. She is responsible for providing a healthy living and her general health as well as women health reproductive is of prime importance. A rise in number of women death rate because of STD (sexually transmitted diseases) and unintended pregnancies can’t be overlooked. It is important that she goes through safe motherhood while bearing a child or even when she contributes to other normal duties of life.

For this it is important to know that what Women reproductive health is. What factors should be considered by a woman for her sexual health? Are methods such as contraception, sterilization enough to avoid any health hazards to her health?

Women Sexual Health – What health activities to be incorporated?
Contraception is way to prevent pregnancy even after a sexual intercourse. Pills, barrier methods such as female condoms, using intra-uterine contraceptive device (IUCD), a plastic or copper device fitted in the womb of a women are some of the common methods to avoid unintended pregnancies.

Health Hazards- Infertility: Infertility is the disability of a woman where she is unable to conceive even after performing sexual intercourse. It happens when she has abnormal menstrual cycles, Feels pain while sexual intercourse or has passed through a chronic illness or miscarriage.

Other Diseases: Chlamydia, Endometriosis is some diseases that cause inflammation or burning sensation in cervix and other fertility and reproduction related problems. Sometimes these diseases cause internal bleeding and injury.

Methods such as contraception, sterilization are taken for safety from sexually transmitted diseases and hazards but one should always be careful that having unsafe sex with more partners would lead to any of the deadly diseases.

Treatments- Infertility could be treated by way of Donor In-Vitro Fertilization whereby eggs from a female donor are fertilized in a laboratory with a male sperm and then transplanted into recipient’s uterus. Other forms are medication through birth control pills and other fertility drugs. Ovulation Induction uses fertility drugs with the help of artificial insemination to stimulate development of egg.

What is Hepatitis A – Hepatitis B – Hepatitis C:

Hepatitis A – An inflammatory viral disease of the liver with a short incubation period. Hepatitis A may be transmitted by eating contaminated food, by fecal-oral contact, and/or through household contact. Hepatitis A may be mild to severe; symptoms include fever, nausea, and jaundice.

Hepatitis B -  Formerly called serum hepatitis, it is caused by the hepatitis B virus. About 12% of cases progress to chronic hepatitis. It is spread through shared needles, through sexual contact with infected individuals, through exposure to infected body fluids, and from mother to child. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, fatigue, fever, jaundice, and elevated liver enzymes.

Hepatitis C – is a life-threatening, disease of the liver, which is transmitted by exposure to blood. A particularly dangerous form of viral hepatitis, it is caused by an RNA virus. Hepatitis C can lead to serious, permanent liver damage, and in many cases, death. More than 82 percent of those who are infected will progress to chronic liver disease. It is suspected that there are, at present, more than 4.5 million people in the United States that are infected with hepatitis C, and more than 200 million around the world.

What causes Hepatitis A – Hepatitis B – Hepatitis C:

Hepatitis A – is caused by a virus. The virus that causes hepatitis A is called the hepatitis A virus. Hepatitis A is spread by close personal contact with someone else who has the infection. You can also get hepatitis A by: Eating food that has been prepared by someone with hepatitis A, or by drinking water that has been contaminated by hepatitis A.

Hepatitis B – is easily spread by direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. For example, hepatitis B can be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby at birth, through unprotected sex with an infected person, by sharing needles for injecting street drugs, and by occupational contact with blood in a health-care setting. Hepatitis B is not spread through food or water or by casual contact. People can have hepatitis B and spread the disease without knowing it. Sometimes, people who are infected with hepatitis B virus never recover fully from the infection. They carry the virus and can infect others for the rest of their lives.

Hepatitis C – is one of the viruses that causes hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver. It is spread predominantly by contact with infected blood and much less from other body fluids. Risk factors for having Hepatitis C include those who have used shared needles, and those that have received a blood transfusion prior to 1991, and those who have been tattooed.

Hepatitis A – Hepatitis B – Hepatitis C – Symptoms:

Hepatitis A – A lot of people with Hepatitis A show no symptoms at all, or they go unnoticed because the symptoms are so mild. Older people are more likely to have symptoms than children. People who do not have symptoms can still spread the Hepatitis A virus. Symptoms of hepatitis A usually develop between 2 and 7 weeks after infection. The most common symptoms to appear are the following: Nausea or vomiting, Diarrhea, Fever, Rash, Fatigue, Jaundice, Dark Urine.

Hepatitis B – Like Hepatitis A, some people show no symptoms when they are infected with hepatitis B, or the symptoms may be very mild and flu-like. Any symptoms that can appear may include: Jaundice, Fever and tiredness, Diarrhea, Stomach pains, nausea and vomiting.

Hepatitis C – Again like with Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, folks with Hepatitis C may show no symptoms either, but when they do, they will probably include any of the following: Mild fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Later symptoms may include dark coffee-colored rather than dark yellow urine, clay-colored stools, abdominal pain, and jaundice.

Hepatitis A – Hepatitis B – Hepatitis C – Treatment:

Hepatitis A – There is no specific treatment for Hepatitis A. Rest is recommended during the worse phase of the disease when the symptoms are most severe. People with acute hepatitis should avoid alcohol and any substances that are toxic to the liver, including acetominophen. Fatty foods may cause vomiting because secretions from the liver are needed to digest fats. Fatty foods are best avoided during the acute phase.

Hepatitis B – Acute hepatitis B usually goes away by itself and does not require medical treatment. If very severe, symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea may require treatment to restore fluids and electrolytes. There are no medications that can prevent acute hepatitis B from becoming chronic.

Hepatitis C – Initial treatment of Hepatitis C will depend on whether the infection is in an early stage or whether it has progressed. Treatment of short-term (acute) hepatitis: Acute Hepatitis C may not be treated because symptoms are usually mild or absent, and hepatitis C is therefore often not diagnosed. By the time Hepatitis C is detected in most people, it has already progressed to long-term infection. However, when acute hepatitis C is identified and treated with medications, the development of progressive or chronic infection may be prevented.

Hepatitis A – Hepatitis B – Hepatitis C – Prevention:

Hepatitis A – Transmission of the virus can be reduced by avoiding unclean food and water, thorough hand washing after using the restroom, and thorough cleansing if there is any contact with an affected person’s blood, feces, or any other bodily fluid. Daycare facilities and other institutions involving close contact with people may be more susceptible to rapid transmission of Hepatitis A. Thorough hand washing and good hygenic practices before and after each diaper change, before serving food, and after using the restroom can help prevent institutional outbreaks.

Hepatitis B – Screening of all donated blood has reduced the likelihood of contracting hepatitis B from a blood transfusion. As an initial screen, blood donors are now required to fill out a questionnaire about their sexual and drug use activities. The blood of those who are in high-risk groups is not used. Also, serologic tests are used to screen collected blood for the hepatitis B virus. Mandatory reporting of the disease allows state health care workers to track people who have been exposed and to immunize contacts that have not yet developed the disease. Formerly, hepatitis B vaccine was made from human blood products, so it was not received well by the public. Sexual contact with a person who has acute or chronic hepatitis B should be avoided.

Hepatitis C – Is spread primarily by direct contact with human blood. Transmission through blood transfusions that are not screened for HCV infection, through the reuse of inadequately sterilized needles, syringes or other medical equipment, or through needle-sharing among drug-users, is well documented. Sexual and perinatal transmission may also occur, although less frequently. Other modes of transmission such as social, cultural, and behavioural practices such as body piercing and tattooing, can occur if inadequately sterilized equipment is used. High risk groups include injecting drug users, recipients of unscreened blood, haemophiliacs, dialysis patients and persons with multiple sex partners.

Since time immemorial men and women have been attempting to jazz up the simple act of coitus – add pizzazz to it, if you will. From erotic sculpture, to the Kama Sutra, to “Everything You Wanted To Know About Sex – But Were Afraid to Ask”, couples have been trying to lend excitement to – when all is said and done – the action of a piston moving in a lubricated shaft.

Of all the sexual myths and legends, probably the most enduring has been the fabled G-spot – that mysterious protuberance that is tantalizing difficult to locate but which, when stimulated, results in orgiastic nirvana. Now for a short lesson from Biology 101. Women experience (if they are lucky) two types of orgasm. The more common variety – clitoral orgasm – is pleasurable enough, but if a woman really wants the earth to move, nothing can beat a vaginal orgasm. And that is where the G-spot comes in. If yr lucky enough to find it and apply deep pressure, you are guaranteed to blast off into outer space. Not that anyone cares, but the G-spot is named after Dr. Ernest Grafenberg, who first described it in an article in the International Journal of Sexology. (I’ve got a feeling circulation figures are going to shoot up after folks read this article).

Now medical experts have identified the G-spot as a bean-shaped and pea-sized erogenous zone, located behind the pubic bone. It is accessible through the anterior wall of the vagina. The bad news is that not all women appear to have a G-spot. Clear anatomical differences have been found between women who have experienced vaginal orgasm and those who have not. The lucky ones have a region of thicker tissue, where the G-spot is located.

In this age of quick fixes like Botox and liposuction and fake boobs, it was only a matter of time before cosmetologists offered to enlarge the G-spot, thereby making it easier to find. Appropriately enough, the treatment goes by the name of G-shot. It is essentially a collagen injection administered under local anesthesia. The injection takes less than 8 seconds to administer; and four hours later, you can get frisky again. Enhanced pleasure does not come cheap, however. A single jab can set you back upwards of $1500.

The G-spot is currently available only in Britain and the US. I predict a fresh spurt in medical tourism, this time headed West, instead of East.

Ring worm
Ring worms are a contagious fungus infection of the skin or scalp or nails and not a worm infection. They are also called “Tinea”. It is a reddish to brownish and elevated region of the skin that has a lighter color at the center and hence looks similar to a ring. The fungi can inhabit dead tissues on the skin and structures like hair or nails, that grow from the skin. Ring worms affect the skin, fingers, toe nails and feet. The fungi feed on keratin which is found in the skin, hair and nails. They prosper when the skin is moist, hot and hidden from light. The most common fungi are Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis. When this infection is found in the groin, it is called “jock itch”. If it exists on the feet, it is called “athlete’s foot”. Nearly, 20% of the population is affected by this disease.

Ring worm symptoms

    * Patches appear over the skin that are red, elevated, itchy and scaly. The patches are lighter at the center. These may blister and ooze.
    * Bald patches appear on the scalp or in the beard.
    * Nails become discolored, thick and may crumble.

Ring worm causes
Ring worm occurs when fungus grows and multiplies on the skin, scalp and nails. This fungus flourishes in warm and moist conditions. So, when there is continuous wetness eg. sweating or minor injuries to the skin, scalp or nails, the possibility of ring worm increases. It is passed from one person to other by direct skin-to-skin contact or contact of contaminated items like combs, shower or pool surfaces or unwashed clothing. Pets like cats and dogs are the carriers of this fungus and contact with these may also lead to ring worm. After getting exposed to the fungi, it is found that some people are more susceptible to ring worm than others. If the individual has eczema or other skin problems, the protective barrier of the skin’s outer layer is less intact and they are more prone to ring worm. Some persons are congenitally more susceptible and can get ring worm throughout their life.

Ring worm treatment
Topical anti-fungal creams like miconazole (Tinactin) or clotrimazole (Lotrimin) are available without any prescription. They have to be applied to the affected area minimum twice a day for several weeks to get rid of ring worm. After the symptoms vanish, treatment must be continued for one week. Only then complete eradication can be guaranteed.

In case of ring worm in the nails or the scalp, the prolonged application of oral anti-fungal medicine is essential. As scalp ring worm is majorly responsible for hair loss, it must be treated aggressively.

If there are only one or two lesions, any of the following medications are prescribed:

    * Imidazoles – ketoconazole, econazole, oxiconazole, sulconazole, clotrimazole, miconazole
    * Substituted pyridines – ciclopirox olamine
    * Naphthiomates – tolnaftate
    * Allylamines – naftifine, terbinafine

For relief from itching, a topical corticosteroid is used. This should never be used as the only treatment. Ring worm treatment of Deep abscesses or severely infected regions involves surgical drainage.

For people having weak immune system or those infections not cleared with a topical medicine or extensive infections, anti-fungal medication in the form of pills is prescribed. Some examples are fluconazole, itraconazole, terbinafine, griseofulvin and ketoconazole. New ring worm infections that are resistant to oral griseofulvin are treated with oral itraconazole or terbinafine. Oral medications have side effects like rash, abnormal liver functioning and gastrointestinal upset. Use of antacid therapy for ulcer disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease interferes with the absorption of the oral medications of treating ring worm. The oral medications modify the efficiency of warfarin which is an anticoagulant drug that reduces the clotting ability of the blood.

Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted disease that can affect both men and women. It is called by a bacterium Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, which grows and multiplies in the cervix, uterus and the fallopian tube in women and in the urethra in both men and women. It can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes and anus.

The gonorrhea symptoms differ from men and women. For women, the primary affected area is cervix. However, if not treated properly, this often spreads to uterus and fallopian tubes. It can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes and anus. Gonorrhea symptoms in the throat may cause a sore throat, or a pus filled growth in the tonsil at the back of the throat, and difficulty in swallowing. Symptoms depend on the site where the bacteria was introduced, the duration of infection and whether the infection has localized or spread.

Symptoms in males and females:
Gonorrhea symptoms in male include pus like discharge from the urethra with a burning sensation during urination and increase in the frequency of urination. Females complaining about vaginal discharge, difficulty in urinating excessive menstrual bleeding or bleeding after sexual intercourse are the initial gonorrhea symptoms. Approximately 15% of females with infection of inside the mouth of the uterus, the infection extend into the fallopian tubes causing what is known as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease or PID.

Left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to serious and permanent health problems and long term organ damage for both men and women. Untreated gonorrhea in women results in serious infection in the reproductive tract. It may cause complicated pregnancy which might prove a life threat to the mother as well as the child. Gonorrhea can lead to various other long term and serious diseases if it is not taken care off at the initial stage. Some of them are:

1. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)-This is perhaps the most serious complaint in women infected with gonorrhea. PID can seriously damage the fallopian tube in a woman, thus resulting in complicated pregnancy where a fertilized egg develops outside the uterus inside the fallopian tube.

2. Epididymitis- In men gonorrhea can lead to painful condition affecting the testicles, which might lead to infertility.

3. HIV/AIDS- Since the immunity level gets lowered, people infected with gonorrhea can easily contract HIV and they can transmit the virus to someone else.

4. Arthritis, Meningitis and Endocarditis- The gonorrhea bacterium blocks the mucous membrane in the different parts of the body, this lead to inflammation of joints (arthritis) inflammation in the brain (meningitis) and infection of the heart (endocarditis).

5. Infant blindness- Mothers with gonorrhea can pass the infection to their babies during childbirth, which if left untreated can lead to permanent blindness.

Risk Factors:

There are many risk factors for gonorrhea. Primary factors are:

-Indulging in unsafe sex

-Having sex with more than one person

-Being in a sexual relationship with someone who has multiple sexual partners

Prevention:
Using condoms during sexual intercourse are a major protection against gonorrhea. And the most important factor is to reduce the number of sex-partners.

Detection and Treatment:
The most reliable method of detecting gonorrhea infection is laboratory culture testing. Special tests must be done in order to detect the bacterial organism responsible for the disease. Different samples of body discharge like the urethra (where you pass urine), the cervix (opening of the womb), the rectum or the throat are taken and incubated in the laboratory so see if gonorrhea bacteria grow from the sample. Normally it takes about two days for the infection to be detected.

There are several antibiotics that can successfully cure gonorrhea in adults and adolescents. Antibiotic treatment varies depending upon where the infection is located. This would not repair whatever damage has been done permanently but prevent further infection. Early detection and immediate medication are the only way to prevent serious and permanent damage. Gonorrhea does not require a follow-up after treatment but patients are advised to stay away from sex during that time.

Unusual mucus or other substances coming from the vagina is a common problem and this discharge is usually because of some infection and is associated with pain, burning, itching and painful urination. It is not necessary that all the infections are sexually transmitted so you should not assume that vaginal discharge is always an STD.

Irritation of the vagina also known as vaginitis is the most common reason for discharges and is usually caused by infection. There are mainly three types of vaginal infections and these all could be treated with oral or vaginal medications. Such infection tends to produce a distinct discharge:

1. Usually there is a thick, white cottage cheese like discharge that is itching, irritated skin, yeast infection or candidiasis. Women those who suffer from diabetes and those who take antibiotics are more prone to develop such infection. Most of the women face at least one yeast infection at some point in their lives.

2. There is a thin, yellow, foul smelling discharge known as trichomonas that is also transmitted sexually.

3. Other symptoms include thin, gray or white foul smelling discharge known as bacterial vaginosis.

Pelvic inflammatory disease is frequently caused STD that infects the cervix, uterus, ovaries or fallopian tubes and is one of the most common and serious complications of an STD. Symptoms include vaginal discharge or bleeding with lower abdominal pain and fever. Chronic PID could result into one or more infections and the most common symptoms that could be identified are gonorrhea or Chlamydia that are sexually transmitted.

Genital Herpes can also produce vaginal discharge and it could affect the cervix. It includes features such as fever, itching, headache and general muscle aches. Some women also get infection inside the uterus and this condition is known as endometriosis causing fibroid tumors, cancer or STD’s.

Sometimes a hole develops in the vagina and because of the passageway caused stool or urine passes through the vagina. This problem can develop after a surgery or injury in the area, infection, inflammation or radiation.

Inflammation in the vagina is also caused because of lack of estrogen and as a woman enters into menopause her body produces increasing erratic amount of estrogen. This often makes the vagina dry out and get irritated. This condition is also known as atrophic vaginitis and could be treated by estrogen replacement therapy, vaginal creams or vaginal suppositories.

Sexually transmitted diseases can be spread through sexual, anal or oral intercourses. Please read these STD symptoms carefully and visit a doctor immediately if you have any, especially if you have multiple sexual partners.

Syphilis in the first stage is indicated by the presence of sores in the mouth or the genital region. These sores last about five weeks generally heal by themselves. Fever, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss and swollen glands with no itch indicate the second stage. Paralysis, gradual blindness dementia and death are a possibility in the last stage of syphilis. The infection is treated with antibiotics.

Chlamydia usually has no visible symptom. There is an abnormal discharge from the vagina and penis. It could also be accompanied with pain in the testicles and burning sensation during urination. Pelvic organ inflammation is also seen in women. Chlamydia has to be treated with oral antibiotics.

Genital Herpes are of two kinds. HSV-1 causes cold sores and fever blisters in the mouth but can be spread to the genitals. HSV-2 usually occurs on the genitals bit can spread to the mouth. An outbreak of Herpes causes painful blisters to appear on the genital organs, buttocks or thighs. There is no cure. An antiviral drug can help the pain and itching and also reduce the frequency of frequent outbreaks.

Gonorrhea is indicated by pain or burning while urination. There may be a yellowish or sometimes, even a bloody discharge from the penis or vagina. A sexual intercourse may itself be painful. Gonorrhea is treated with oral antibiotics.

Chancroid is indicated by tiny swellings in the genital organs. These swellings gradually turn into ulcers and are usually painful. Often, there is an associated tenderness in the lymph nodes. Chancroid is treated with oral antibiotics.

Hepatitis B causes mild fever, headaches, muscle aches and joint pain. It is also accompanied by loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Fortunately, there is hope that all future cases of the infection will be eliminated by routine immunizations of all children with the Hepatitis B vaccine.

HIV Symptoms And AIDS is probably the most widely spread sexually transmitted disease. Although there is no specific symptom that indicates HIV infection, many people develop a non-specific illness 2 to 4 weeks after they have been infected. Fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle and joint pains, headache and sore throat can characterize this initial illness. On average, people are ill for up to 2 weeks with the initial illness. In rare cases, the initial illness has occurred up to 10 months after infection. It is also possible to become infected with the HIV virus without having recognized the initial illness. When the symptoms of the HIV are acute, the disease is known as the Acquired Immunodeficiency Virus (AIDS). This disease has no permanent cure.

The list and their symptoms can continue for pages. However, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Use of precaution and avoiding multiple sexual partners is the key.

Each and everyone of us has heard the dangers of STDs, but how many of us really know everything there is to know about Sexually Transmitted Diseases? Sexually transmitted diseases are those that are transmitted from people to each other during sexual intercourse. These diseases are transmitted during any form of sexual intercourse, be it vaginal, anal or even oral. But remember that an STD can be contracted only when a person indulges in sexual intercourse with another person who already had an STD, but there are some like scabies, which can be passed through contact as well. So the next question you will ask is what is an STI? STI is sexually transmitted infection, which is just another name for sexually transmitted disease. The reason this term is used is because there are cases like those in chlamydia, where a sexually transmitted disease is similar to an infection. But how does one know if they have a sexually transmitted disease? A person may become aware of certain symptoms, or may find out that their partner has a sexually transmitted disease. It is best to get a sexually transmitted disease treated as soon as possible so as to avoid any further complications that may arise out of non-treatment, such as infertility. In some cases an STD can be transmitted from a mother to her unborn child, which can be avoided through proper treatment.

Different types of STDs
There are several types of STDs that a person can get, right from crabs, herpes to gonorrhea and syphilis. But how does one what they have? The best thing to do is get as much information as you can so that you can be proactive. Here are some types of STDs and some information about them:

Bacterial Vaginosis – though this cannot be in strict terms be called an STD, it is a disease that cannot be transmitted though sexual intercourse, but can be aggravated because of it. BV is an STD that affects only women and can be detected only because of the strange fishy smelling discharge. No one knows how BV starts, but it is said that it can be caused due to the acidic imbalance in the vagina, and this could be because of semen or intrauterine contraceptives. BV cannot be passed on to a man, but treatment has to be prompt so as to avoid serious damage to the uterus and fallopian tubes.

Chlamydia – This Sexually transmitted infection is the most common, and occurs because of the presence of chlamydia trachomatis bacterium in the body. It can affect both men and women and if it is not treated properly can cause infertility. Chlamydia is transmitted through sexual intercourse and also through genital contact. The best way to cure chlamydia is to get help as soon as possible.

Crabs – crabs are pubic lice that are called so because of their crab like appearance. These lice are extremely tine and can barely be seen by the naked eye, and are found on rough body hair like the pubic hair, armpit hair and even facial hair. These crabs or lice are grayish yellow in color and grab at hair strands with their claws. Crabs can easily be passed on through sexually intercourse and sharing of clothes, bedding and towels. Symptoms of crabs are – itching of the skin, inflammation of skin and spots of blood from where the lice have been feeding. Treatment of crabs is easy and does not require removal of hair.

Genital Warts – these are warts or bumps caused on the skin, normally in the genital area by some form of human papillomavirus (HPV). These warts are large, flesh colored and painless. They will itch and may be difficult to find and this is why most people do not even realize they have genital warts. In case a woman has genital warts on the cervix, it can lead to discharge and bleeding. It is important to get the right medical attention for genital warts.

Gonorrhea – this sexually transmitted disease once known, as clap is an infection that can infect the urethra, cervix, rectum, anus and even the throat. The symptoms are:

    * Burning while urinating.
    * Discharge from penis that is white or yellow in color.
    * Change in color of vaginal discharge.
    * Discharge from the anus along with irritation.

Herpes – heroes can be cause by two different types if viruses. The HSV-1 virus affecting the genital and anal regions and the HSV-2 affecting the mouth and lips a lot like cold sores. HSV-2 is a more common from of STD and research claims that one out of every five Americans gets herpes. There are some symptoms of herpes, these are:

    * Itching and tingling of the genital and anal area.
    * Blisters and sores.
    * Pain while urinating, especially in women.
    * Headaches and backaches, also accompanied by flu-like symptoms.

Syphilis – this is a common bacterial infection that is caused by the bacteria treponema pallidium, which was once known as pox. It is a sexually transmitted disease but can also be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her unborn child. There are various stages of syphilis. There are symptoms of syphilis, these are:

    * Ulcers that are painless but occur on the genital region, anus and mouth.
    * Lumps in the groin.
    * Rash that isn’t itchy.
    * Fever and other flu-like symptoms.

If syphilis is not treated in time, it can become more severe and sometimes lead to death.

Most of the women die of poor reproductive health as a result of unwanted pregnancies or because of sexually transmitted diseases. Sexually transmitted disease, as the term indicates is any sort of venereal disease caused due to sexual intercourse or other sexual intact. The microbes which cause STD’s are just opportunity bugs that don’t consider any gender or sex but only require a warm body. In women, STD’s often lead to infertility, miscarriage, infection among the newborn or premature birth of the child.

You should know the below mentioned facts to protect yourselves from sexually transmitted diseases.

1. STD easily spreads when there is any transfer of bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal secretions or blood from any person to another.

2. If a person has any sort of sexually transmitted disease and some other person has sex with that infected person, he or she is the quickest victim of STD. This is the reason why one should avoid having multiple partners or any monogamous relationship where one person is carrying an infection from a prior sexual encounter.

3. Sexually transmitted diseases are very contagious so if a woman has sex with his partner who is already infected with gonorrhea (a kind of STD) then she holds a chance of 80 to 90 percent of getting the disease. In case her partner carries two diseases namely gonorrhea and Chlamydia, she could be infected with both of them at the same time.

4. Vaginal intercourse carries the highest STD infections but other routes such as anal sex, oral sex or sexual abuse of children and mother to baby infection during child birth are also causes for such diseases.

5. STD’s weakens the immune system and therefore if a person is infected with such disease he or she has more chances of getting other infections. Even if a person recovers from a sexually transmitted disease, he or she has a weak immune system.

6. STD among women is not much obvious as compared to men which show clear symptoms of the disease. As such the problem could be misdiagnosed among women.

7. Most of the times, it happens that women are infected with such diseases but since the symptoms are not clear they unknowingly infect other sexual partner.

8. Men are secretly bisexual and as such they could easily pick up an STD from any homosexual encounter and pass it to an unsuspecting heterosexual partner.

9. Lesbians are less likely to have STD’s as sexually transmitted diseases are not easily spread from woman to woman.