The estimated total number of people living in the US with STD is over sixty-five million. Every year, there are approximately fifteen million new STD cases.
Facts About STDs
- 65 million of people living in the US with STD
- 15 million of new STD cases each year
- 2/3 of all STD's occurs in people 25 yrs of age or younger
- one in four new STD cases occur in teenagers
- cervical cancer in women is linked to HPV
- doctors are required to report newly diagnosed STD cases of gonorrhea, syphilis,chlamydia and hepatitis B to state health departments and the CDC
- one in four Americans have genital herpes, 80% of those with herpes are unaware they have it
- at least one in four Americans will contract an STD at some point in their lives
- 15% of all infertile American women are infertile because of tubal damage caused by untreated STD
- 12% of all infertile American men are infertile because of inflammation of the testicles and sterility caused by untreated STD
CHLAMYDIA
What is it? It is a bacterial infection which usually infects the genitals of both men and women, but can also infect the throat, rectum and eyes. Chlamydia is one of the most common STD's - and because more than 50% who have chlamydia have no symptoms at all - chlamydia infection usually goes untreated.
How is Chlamydia Contracted? Chlamydia is mainly passed through sexual activity: vaginal or anal sex with an infected partner, oral sex (although this is less common), sharing sex toys, touching parts of the body with fingers (for example, chlamydia often occurs in the eyes)
Signs and Symptoms of Chlamydia: 2/3 of women and 1/2 of men who have chlamydia have no symptoms at all; others have symptoms so mild they aren't noticeable.
Chlamydia Symptoms in Women: an unusual vaginal discharge, pain or a burning sensation when passing urine, bleeding between periods, pain during sex or bleeding after sex, low abdominal pain sometimes with nausea
Chlamydia Symptoms in Men:white/cloudy, watery discharge from the tip of the penis, pain or a burning sensation when passing urine, testicular pain and/or swelling
Testing of Chlamydia: A urine test and a swab test collecting fluid from the penis or vagina. (Swab test is obtained by briefly placing a swab in the opening of the urethra at the tip of the penis; this causes brief discomfort and a burning sensation)
Treatment of Chlamydia: Chlamydia is simple to treat with antibiotics, either a single dose or a course lasting up to two weeks. To avoid re-infection, any sexual partners should be treated too. Treatinggonorrhea is advocated for patients being treated for chlamydia, and vice versa (50% have both infections together)
If Chlamydia is Not Treated: Without treatment, chlamydia infection can spread to other parts of the body causing damage and serious long-term health problems.
In women, chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, which can lead to: ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the womb), blocked fallopian tubes (the tubes which carry the egg from the ovaries to the womb), which can result in reduced fertility or infertility, long-term pelvic pain, early miscarriage or premature birth
In men, chlamydia can lead to: painful inflammation of the testicles, which may result in reduced fertility or sterility
Gonorrhea
What is it? It is a highly contagious sexually transmitted STD bacterial infection, sometimes referred to as the clap.
How is Gonorrhea Contracted?Gonorrhea spreads through semen or vaginal fluids during unprotected sexual contact, heterosexual or homosexual, with an infected partner:vaginal or anal sex with an infected partner, oral sex, although this is less common, sharing sex toys, touching parts of the body with fingers (for example, touching the private parts and then the eyes), any very close physical contact, the bacteria can be passed from hand to hand (very rare isolated cases), from a mother to her baby at birth
Symptoms of Gonorrhea 1/2 of women and 1/10 of men who have gonorrhea have no symptoms at all. Women's symptoms can include discharge from the vagina, frequent urination, pain or burning when urinating, and pain between periods. Men are most likely to experience pain during urination and discharge from the penis. The throat infection rarely shows symptoms.
Gonorrhea Testing:A urine test & a swab test - collecting fluid from the penis or vagina by placing a swab in the opening of the urethra; this causes brief discomfort.
Gonorrhea Treatment
Early treatment is simple; effective; involves a single dose of antibiotics. In addition, the treatment of chlamydia is also advocated. (It is common to have these two STD infections together – 50% have both)
To avoid re-infection, any sexual partners should be treated too.It's important not to have unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex until treatment is completed & the infection has cleared up
Once it has been successfully treated, it won't come back unless a new infection is picked up.
If Gonorrhea Not TreatedGonorrhea infection can spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body, causing damage and serious problems.
In women, it can cause:life-threatening complications such as ectopic pregnancy (outside the womb), blocked fallopian tubes (the tubes which carry the egg from the ovaries to the womb), which can result in reduced fertility or infertility, long-term pelvic pain
In men, it can lead to:painful inflammation of the testicles, which may result in reduced fertility or sterility
Occasionally, Reiter's syndrome (inflammation of the joints, urethra and eyes)
TRICHOMONIASIS
What is Trichomoniasis? Trichomoniasis, (also called "trich") is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) that affects both men and women. Trichomoniasis is caused by a protozoan parasite calledTrichomonas vaginalis and is a cause of vaginal infections in women and urethral infections in men. Trichomoniasis is an STD that affects approximately 5 million people in the US every year. Trichomoniasis is one of the most common, curable causes of vaginal infections in women.
How is Trichomoniasis contracted? Trichomoniasis is spread through sexual contact, as all other STD's. Transmission can occur even if a person does not have symptoms of infection. Women contract trichomoniasis from infected male or female partners while men usually contract it only from female partners. Using condoms and/or dental dams provide some protection. Their use is strongly encouraged, but is not 100% safe. Trichomoniasis can also survive on infected objects like sheets, towels, and underwear and could be transmitted by sharing them.
Trichomoniasis Symptoms Many people with trichomoniasis experience no symptoms. If there are symptoms, the most common trichomoniasis symptoms include:
Trichomoniasis Symptoms in Women: Genital itching and/or burning, Vaginal or vulval redness, Frothy yellow-green vaginal discharge with a strong odor, Blood spotting, Frequent and/or painful urination, Discomfort during intercourse, Abdominal pain
Trichomoniasis Symptoms in Men: Men are usually asymptomatic, but if a man has symptoms, they can include: Unusual penile discharge, Painful urination, Burning sensation after ejaculation, Tingling inside the penis.
Testing: A medical provider will take a swab of fluid from a male's urethra or from a female's vagina and will examine it under a microscope to see if trichomoniasis is present.
Treatment: Antibiotics. It is especially important that both partners are treated at the same time because an infected man, even a man who has never had symptoms or whose symptoms have stopped, can continue to infect a female partner until he has been treated. Anyone being treated for trichomoniasis should avoid sex until they and their sex partners have completed the treatment.
If you are not treated: As mentioned above, trichomoniasis is one of the most common and most curable STD's. The symptoms are more annoying than they are threatening to your health. The genital inflammation caused by trichomoniasis might however, increase a person's risk of acquiring HIV infection if s/he is exposed to HIV or might also increase the chances of transmitting HIV infection to a sex partner. In rare case, trichomoniasis in pregnant women may cause a premature rupture of the membranes and early delivery.
VAGINAL YEAST INFECTION
What is it? A naturally occurring fungus called Candida albicans (C. albicans) usually causes this type of vaginitis. An estimated three out of four women will have a yeast infection in their lifetime.
How is it contracted? Yeast infections occur when certain internal or external factors change the normal environment of your vagina and trigger an overgrowth of a microscopic fungus — the most common being a fungus called Candida albicans (C. albicans). Besides causing most vaginal yeast infections, C. albicans also causes infections in other moist areas of your body, such as your mouth (thrush), skin folds and fingernail beds. The fungi can also cause diaper rash.
Factors that increase your risk of yeast infections include: Medications such as antibiotics and steroids, Uncontrolled diabetes, Hormonal changes, such as those associated with pregnancy and birth control pills, Bubble baths, vaginal contraceptives, damp or tightfitting clothing and feminine hygiene products such as sprays and deodorants don't cause yeast infections, but they may increase your susceptibility to infection.
Symptoms: The main symptom is itching, but you may have a white, thick discharge that resembles cottage cheese.
Testing: Your doctor may take a sample of a cervical or vaginal discharge for laboratory analysis.
Treatment: Antibiotics - Diflucan 150 mg one single dose .
If you are not treated: Generally, vaginal yeast infections don't cause serious complications. If it is not treated the itch may persist.
YEAST INFECTION IN MEN (Balanitis)
What is it? Men can get yeast infection of the genitals. Yeast organisms are a common cause of infection of the tip of the penis, a condition called balanitis.
How is it contracted? Almost from anywhere; nevertheless, one is more likely to get balanitis if you: Are uncircumcised, Have diabetes
Symptoms: Itching or burning of the tip of the penis or the foreskin. A red rash on the affected areas.
Testing: Physical examination of the red rash in the affected area.
Treatment: If you're uncircumcised, you can help prevent balanitis by practicing good hygiene. Each day, gently pull back (retract) the foreskin on your penis and clean the skin with soap and water. Then dry the skin carefully. You may also apply an antifungal cream periodically to prevent recurrence.
Treatment of balanitis includes: Cleaning under the foreskin of the penis, Applying antifungal creams at least twice a day,
Recurrent balanitis: Diflucan 150 mg one single dose
BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS (BV)
What is bacterial vaginosis? Bacterial vaginosis (BV) results from overgrowth of one of several organisms that are normally present in the vagina, upsetting the natural balance of vaginal bacteria. More than one in six women in the United States has bacterial vaginosis, though many aren't aware of having it.
How is bacterial vaginosis contracted? Bacterial vaginosis (BV) results from an overgrowth of organisms that are normally present in the vagina. Usually, "good" bacteria outnumber "bad" bacteria in your vagina. But if bad bacteria become too numerous, they upset the balance and bacterial vaginosis results. This type of vaginitis (bacterial vaginosis) can spread during sexual intercourse, but it also occurs in people who aren't sexually active. Women with new or multiple sex partners, as well as women who douche or use an intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control, have a higher risk of bacterial vaginosis.
Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis: You may develop a grayish-white, foul-smelling discharge. The odor, often described as fish-like, may be more obvious after sexual intercourse.
Testing for bacterial vaginosis: Your doctor may take a sample of a cervical or vaginal discharge for laboratory analysis
Treatment of bacterial vaginosis: Antibiotics -
If you are not treated: Bacterial vaginosis is usually not serious. In some cases, however, it can cause infections in the uterus and fallopian tubes. It is important to treat bacterial vaginosis, especially before having an IUD inserted, an abortion, or tests done on the uterine lining. Both trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis have been linked to an increased risk of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted diseases.
If you are concerned you may have an STD, Come to :
MD Care
400 Westfield Ave
Elizabeth, NJ
(908) 691-3800
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