Overview of Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Conditions Caused by Bacteria, Viruses, and Other Pathogens
Mar 29, 2009
What are the major sexually transmitted diseases that one should know about?
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a major public health issue. Even with measures to educate the public and prevent transmission, STDs continue to be prevalent all over the world. There are various types of STDs that individuals should protect themselves from.
Bacterial STDs
STDs caused by bacteria include, but are not limited to, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and chancroid.
- Gonorrhea: This STD is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrheae. It can cause urethritis or epididymitis in men, cervicitis or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women, and septic arthritis or disseminated infection in both sexes. The main treatment is the antibiotic ceftriaxone.
- Chlamydia: Infection with chlamydia, often due to the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, results in similar infections as those with gonorrhea. Antibiotics such as azithromycin or doxycycline are the treatment of choice and, because of frequent coexistence with gonorrhea, are often given simultaneously with treatment for gonorrhea.
- Syphilis: Syphilis is caused by Treponema pallidum and proceeds through three stages of infection: primary syphilis with a painless ulcer at sites of unprotected sexual contact, secondary syphilis with diffuse body rashes, and tertiary syphilis with inflammatory nodules called gummas and/or neurological manifestations. The treatment is a high dose of penicillin.
- Chancroid: Caused by Haemophilus ducreyi, chancroid is characterized by a panful genital ulcer. Antibiotics used for treatment include azithromycin, erythromycin, and ciprofloxacin.
Viral STDs
Viral STDs include, but are not limited to, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, genital herpes, and genital warts.
- HIV Infection:HIV gradually destroys CD4 white blood cells, disabling the immune system over several years. The natural history of the infection is characterized by opportunistic infections that occur with severe immunodeficiency.
- Genital Herpes:Caused by the herpes simplex virus, genital herpes involves fluid-filled vesicles that appear on the surface of unprotected sexual contact. The treatment of herpes is an antiviral agent such as acyclovir.
- Genital Warts:Genital warts, which are soft polyps that may be asymptomatic or cause discomfort, are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), of which certain types cause cervical cancer in women. Treatment involves procedures such as cryotherapy, laser therapy, and surgical excision and topical agents such as fluorouracil.
Parasitic STDs
STDs due to parasites include trichomoniasis, pubic scabies, and pubic lice.
- Trichomoniasis:Trichomoniasis is caused by a flagellate microorganism called Trichomonas vaginalis. It results in urethritis in men and vaginitis in women. The treatment is the antibiotic metronidazole, also called Flagyl.
- Pubic Scabies: As with scabies outside the genital region, pubic scabies involves red itchy bumps on the skin, with or without burrows under the skin, due to the mite species Sarcoptes scabiei. Treatment includes agents such as permethrin and lindane.
- Pubic Lice: Pubic lice is caused by the louse species Phthirus pubis and involves itching as the main symptom. Treatment is similar to that of pubic scabies.
Prevention
Transmission of many of these STDs can be minimized using barrier protection, such as condoms, during sexual intercourse. Individuals who contract STDs should receive treatment for themselves and their sexual partners.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Merck Manual - Sexually Transmitted Diseases
The copyright of the article Overview of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Sex Education is owned by Anthony Lee. Permission to republish Overview of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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