Sexual contact, especially unprotected sex, is the main source of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also known as sexually transmitted infections (STIs). STDs can manifest with genital sores or bumps, a burning sensation when urinating, unusual vaginal or penile discharge, painful sex, abdominal discomfort, fever, and rash, although they don’t always cause symptoms.
STDs may result from:
Syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea are the three most prevalent bacterial STDs.
A virus – Viral STDs include hepatitis, HIV, genital herpes, and human papillomavirus (HPV).
Trichomoniasis, one of the most prevalent STDs, is brought on by a protozoan parasite.
handling STDs
Depending on the kind of infection you have, different STDs require different treatments.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are able to completely treat and cure the majority of bacterial STDs. These antibiotics can be administered as a single injection, several days’ worth of pills, or a topical cream to the affected area. Antibiotics can also be used to treat many STDs that are caused by parasites, such as trichomoniasis. It’s crucial to hold off on any sexual activity for seven days after finishing your antibiotic course.
Antiviral
Antiviral medications can help manage the condition even though not all viral STDs can be cured. Your doctor will prescribe you an antiviral drug based on the STD they believe you have. Follow all special instructions, such as drinking plenty of water or taking a vitamin D supplement, and take the medication as prescribed.
Untreated STDs
You might be concerned about what might occur if an STD is not treated. Do you really need a course of antibiotics if it’s not causing any bothersome symptoms? Without a doubt, the answer is yes. Consider this: An STD is essentially a genital infection, though it can also spread to other parts of the body. For instance, untreated gonorrhea can harm joints, while untreated chlamydia can cause both male and female infertility as well as pelvic inflammatory disease in women. Penile cancer or oral cancer may result from untreated HPV (in men).
It is impossible to overstate the benefit of lowering or eliminating your risk of transmitting an infection to any potential sexual partners.