Information on STDs

Information on STDs

The National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 19 million new sexually transmitted disease cases occur every year, costing the nation’s health care system an estimated $14.7 billion annually. Therefore, getting tested regularly for STDs is critical for good health.

STDs generally are acquired through sexual contact, with organisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi) being transmitted in semen or vaginal fluid, blood or other bodily fluids. Some also are transmitted during pregnancy or childbirth, when sharing IV needles or during blood transfusions.
Symptoms can include discharge from the vagina or penis, burning or otherwise urination, swollen lymph nodes, vaginal bleeding and bumps or sores in the mouth, rectal area or genitals.
However, people who seem healthy – showing no symptoms and unaware of an infection – can pass along STDs to their partners. In fact, many STDs have no symptoms so experts use the term “sexually transmitted infection.” STDs also can be mistaken for other health problems.
Nationally, the infection rate for chlamydia was 610.6 cases per 100,000 females and 233.7 cases per 100,000 males. Gonorrhea’s infection rate that same year was 100.8 cases per 100,000 people. A total of 377 syphilis were reported in 2010.
More than 20 infections cause STDs. Statistics are available on these three because public health officials have tracked and reported syphilis and gonorrhea cases since 1941 and chlamydia cases since 1984. All three have control programs funded by the federal government.
Other STDs include genital herpes, human papillomavirus or HPV (the most common STD), viral hepatitis, trichomoniasis, chancroid (common in developing countries) and, of course, HIV and AIDS.

STD incubation periods vary, ranging fom one to 14 days for gonorrhea, to two to three weeks for chlamydia, to two to 12 days for genital herpes and up to 90 days for syphilis. The incubation period for HIV, the AIDS virus, is estimated at as long as 10 years.
Risk factors include the ones we’ve heard about, having unprotected sex or multiple sexual partners or having had an STD previously. Other risk factors include using IV needles, impaired judgment due to alcohol or drug abuse and being a teen female (because the undeveloped cervix has unstable cells which makes it more susceptible to some STDs.
The Mayo Clinic recommends STD testing if you show symptoms or believe you’ve been infected. Its doctors also recommend STD education counseling before becoming sexually active or before sex with a new partner.
STD tests include laboratory tests checking your blood, urine and discharge from any genital, rectal or oral sores. Prior to your test, ask about any preparations such as fasting. Bring a list of all prescription drugs you take plus any vitamins or over the counter medications or supplements. Also bring a list of your symptoms and questions for your doctor. You’re bound to remember something just he walks out the door, so write down everything that concerns you.
If your test comes out positive, treatment will be with either antibiotics (for bacterial or parasitic infections such as chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhea) or  antiviral drugs (for herpes and HIV).  Bacterial infections are easily treatable. Viral infections can be controlled but may not be “cured.”