The most dangerous viral STD is the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which leads to AIDS. Other incurable viral STDs include human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B, and genital herpes. Syphilis can have very serious problems if left untreated, but it is easy to cure with the right treatment. Most people who have trichomoniasis don't have any symptoms.
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection, with more than 40 types that can infect the genitals, mouth, or throat. Most men and women who are sexually active will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives. When it comes to sex, it's important to be aware of the possibility of infections and diseases. Both men and women can get them, and it's likely that you've had an STD at some point without realizing it.
The only way to protect yourself and your partner is to get tested. Fortunately, all of these common STDs are treatable and most can be cured.
HPV
is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U. S., with more than 40 types that can be transmitted sexually through vaginal, anal, or oral sex, or through skin-to-skin contact.Most types of HPV have no symptoms or cause harm, and the body eliminates them on its own. But some of them cause genital warts, while others can infect the mouth and throat or cause cancer of the cervix, penis, mouth, or throat. Three vaccines (Cevarix, Gardasil and Gardasil) protect against these types of cancer, while Gardasil and Gardasil-9 also protect against genital warts, vaginal cancer and anal cancer. The CDC recommends that young women and men ages 11 to 26 get vaccinated against HPV; it is also approved for women and men up to age 45. A Pap smear can show most cervical cancers caused by HPV at an early stage.
Chlamydia is the most commonly reported STD in the U. S., mainly infected through vaginal or anal sex but also through oral sex. Sometimes you'll notice strange discharge from your vagina or penis, or pain or burning when you urinate; however, only about 25% of women and 50% of men have symptoms. Chlamydia is caused by bacteria, so it is treated with antibiotics; after treatment, you should get tested again in one to three months even if your partner has been treated.
Gonorrhea is also easily treated with antibiotics. Syphilis is a complicated disease with four stages; in the primary stage, the main symptom is a sore that can look like a cut, ingrown hair, or a harmless bump. The secondary stage begins with a rash on the body followed by sores in the mouth, vagina, or anus; symptoms usually go away in the third stage (latent), which can last for years or the rest of your life. Only about 15% of people with untreated syphilis will develop the final stage; it causes damage to organs and nerves and can also cause brain problems.
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat syphilis; the sooner treatment starts, the less antibiotics you need and the more quickly they take effect. Herpes is a virus that cannot be cured but can be controlled with medicines; all that's needed is skin-to-skin contact including areas that the condom doesn't cover. More women than men get trichomoniasis which is caused by a small parasite; men and women can transmit it to each other through contact between the penis and vagina or between two women's genital areas when they touch each other; only about 30% of people with trichomoniasis have symptoms that include itching, burning, or pain in the genitals as well as a foul-smelling discharge. It's important to get tested again within three months after treatment even if your partner has also received treatment.
HIV is the virus that causes AIDS; it is transmitted through body fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk through vaginal or anal sex without a condom or by sharing a needle with someone who is infected; you cannot get HIV from saliva or from kissing. Symptoms of HIV infection are vague but may feel like the flu; you may also lose weight or have diarrhea; the only sure way to know if you've been infected is to take a saliva or blood test; HIV can take years to destroy the immune system but strong medications can help people with HIV live longer lives.
