SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES
1. Introduction
2. Causes & Transmission
3. Common STD’s
4. Symptoms
5. Prevention
6. Treatment
7. Complications if Untreated
8. Diagnosis & Testing
9. Understanding how STD’s are transmitted is crucial
for prevention
Introduction
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), also known as venereal
diseases, are infections primarily spread through sexual contact.
They affect both men and women and can impact reproductive
health, the immune system, and overall well-being. Early diagnosis
and treatment are essential to prevent complications and reduce
transmission. Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are
infections that are primarily spread through sexual contact. These
infections can affect the genitals, rectum, mouth, or throat, and
they can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. The term
“sexually transmitted infections” (STIs) is often used
interchangeably with STDs, but technically, STI refers to an
infection that might not yet show symptoms of disease. It’s
essential to understand that STDs/STIs are not limited to vaginal
sex alone. They can be transmitted through any form of sexual
activity, including anal and oral intercourse.
Causes and Transmission
• Pathogens: STDs are caused by bacteria, viruses,
fungi, or parasites.
• Sexual Contact: Vaginal, anal, or oral sex is the
most common mode of transmission.
• Other Modes: Sharing contaminated needles, blood
transfusions from infected donors, and mother-to-
child transmission during childbirth.
• Unprotected sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal,
oral).
• Multiple sexual partners.
• Sharing contaminated needles.
• Mother-to-child transmission during childbirth.
• Rarely, infected blood transfusions.
Common STDs:
B1. HIV/AIDS
• Caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
• Attacks immune cells, weakening defense
mechanisms
• Symptoms: fever, fatigue, weight loss, opportunistic
infections
• Treatment: Antiretroviral therapy (ART); no
complete cure
❖ 2. Syphilis
• Caused by Treponema pallidum
• Stages: Primary (sores), Secondary (rashes),
Latent, Tertiary (organ damage)
• Diagnosis: Blood tests (VDRL, RPR)
• Treatment: Penicillin antibiotics
❖ 3. Gonorrhea
• Caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae
• Symptoms: painful urination, unusual discharge
• Untreated cases → infertility, pelvic inflammatory
disease
• Treatment: Antibiotics
❖ 4. Chlamydia
• Often asymptomatic
• Can lead to infertility in women and men
• Diagnosed via urine or swab tests
• Treatment: Antibiotics
❖ 5. Genital Herpes
• Caused by Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1 or HSV-2)
• Symptoms: painful blisters and recurrent
outbreaks
• Managed with antiviral medications
❖ 6. Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• Causes genital warts and cervical cancer
• Vaccination available for prevention
• Diagnosed via Pap smear and HPV DNA testing
❖ 7. Trichomoniasis
• Caused by Trichomonas vaginalis (protozoan)
• Symptoms: itching, frothy discharge, discomfort
• Treatment: Anti-parasitic drugs
❖ 8. Hepatitis B (Sexually Transmitted Type)
• Virus affecting liver
• Symptoms: jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain
• Prevention: Vaccine, safe sexual pratices.
Symptoms:
• Painful urination
• Unusual discharge
• Sores, blisters, or warts on genitals
• Lower abdominal pain
• Fever, fatigue, rashes
Note: Some STDs can be asymptomatic for months.
Prevention:
• Use condoms during sexual activity.
• Limit sexual partners.
• Regular medical check-ups and screening.
• HPV vaccination to prevent cervical cancer.
• Avoid sharing needles.
• Educate about safe sexual practices.
Treatment:
• Bacterial STDs: Antibiotics (e.g., Gonorrhea, Syphilis,
Chlamydia)
• Viral STDs: Antiviral medicines (e.g., HIV, Herpes)
• Parasitic/Fungal STDs: Anti-parasitic or antifungal
medicines .
Complications if Untreated:
• Infertility in men and women
• Chronic pain or organ damage
• Increased risk of cancers
• Mother-to-child transmission of infections
• Weak immune system (HIV/AIDS)
Diagnosis & Testing
• Blood tests for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis.
• Urine or swab tests for gonorrhea, chlamydia,
trichomoniasis.
• Pap smear for HPV detection in women.
• Regular screening is essential, especially for
asymptomatic cases.
Interesting Facts / Statistics
• According to WHO, over 1 million STDs are
acquired every day worldwide.
• HPV is responsible for nearly 70% of cervical
cancer cases globally.
• Early detection and treatment can prevent
most STD-related complications.
Understanding how STDs are transmitted
is crucial for prevention. Here’s a
breakdown of how these diseases spread:
• Vaginal intercourse: This is one of the most
common ways STDs are transmitted. During
vaginal sex, infected bodily fluids, such
as semen, vaginal fluids, or blood, can be
passed from one person to another, allowing
the disease to spread.
• Anal intercourse: This is another high-risk
activity for the transmission of STDs. The
tissue inside the rectum is delicate, and small
tears can provide an entry point for pathogens.
• Oral intercourse: While less common, STDs
can also be passed through oral sex. For
example, herpes and syphilis can spread via
oral-genital contact, and HPV can be
transmitted through oral sex as well.
• Non-penetrative sex: In some cases, STDs
can also spread through skin-to-skin contact,
even without penetration. This includes
activities such as genital rubbing or close body
contact with an infected area.
Some STDs can also be transmitted through non-
sexual routes, such as sharing needles, or from
mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding.
However, sexual transmission remains the most
significant route of infection for most STDs.
The importance of sexual health education on
STDs is that it helps reduce infection, supports early
diagnosis, and promotes safer sexual choices that
protect individuals and communities. Comprehensive
education addresses prevention, symptoms, testing,
and treatment, equipping people with the knowledge
they need to stay healthy and reduce STD transmission.
Conclusion:
Sexually transmitted diseases are infections that are primarily
spread through sexual contact, affecting millions of people
worldwide. They can cause serious health complications if left
untreated, including infertility, chronic pain, and increased
susceptibility to other infections. Awareness, early diagnosis,
and timely treatment are crucial to controlling their spread.
Safe sexual practices, regular medical check-ups, and
education play a vital role in prevention. Understanding STDs
not only helps protect individual health but also contributes
to public health and reduces social stigma associated with
these infections. By promoting knowledge and responsible
behavior, the impact of sexually transmitted diseases can be
significantly minimized.
