Information On STD
STD (sexually transmitted disease) also known as VD (venereal disease) or STI (sexually transmitted infection) is transmission of disease through means of sexual behavior among humans. This disease can be transmitted through anal sex, oral sex, and virginal intercourse. STD can also be transmitted through the use of an infected needle. An infected mother too can transmit the disease to her child through childbirth or breast feeding. Individuals that indulge in sexual activity with the same sex or have multiple partners are at a high risk of acquiring a STD. A disease can enter through the moist surface tissue of the anus, vagina, urethra and mouth. The agents that are responsible for cause of STDs are protozoa, fungi, bacteria, and other organisms. Sometimes infections can be transmitted through direct contact of skin. Any cuts, sores or lesions that permit germs to enter the blood stream have a high risk of acquiring a STD.
Although all forms of sexual behavior that involve contact of bodily fluids of the partner have a degree of risk, transmission through genital fluids is alarmingly high. An STD infection can be caused through, saliva, venereal fluids, mucosal skin of the penis, vagina, rectum, vulva, urinary tract and sweat. The degree of infection caused by different factors varies in accordance with each pathogen. Genital fluids with HIV contain excessively more pathogen than that of saliva. Although there's an open risk of transmitting a STD through various sexual activities, the degree of variance may depend on the type of sexual activity. Common bacterial infection such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are widespread but are curable with antibiotics when treated early. Although viral infections are treatable there is no specific cure for them. Human Papilloma Virus which is known to cause genital warts, types of cervical cancer, penile, and vulvar cancer, Human Immunodeficiency Virus which leads to AIDS, and herpes, can be treated to relieve symptoms and slower the rate of progression of the disease.
The use of condoms is a reliable way of ensuring that the risk of contracting a STD through sexual activity is minimized. Although condoms are considered reliable during sexual intercourse they cannot be deemed completely safe. Tests for a single STD infection may comprise of different individual tests to determine the type of disease. Screening tests and diagnostic tests are commonly used to determine presymptomatic or asymptomatic infection or the cause of illness or symptoms. Although therapeutic and diagnostic advances have progressed rapidly and are able to detect infections quickly and offer a cure, the fear of social stigma discourages individuals from getting tests done.
The symptoms that come with a STD may not appear or occur immediately after the infection. In some cases there may not be any visible signs or symptoms of STD which can increase the risk of transmission unknowingly. Early identification, detection, and treatment are absolutely essential to make sure the risk of transmission to others is prevented. Studies suggest that a significant number of STDs are most prevalent among the age group of 25-30. It's important that youngsters and teens are provided adequate sex education so they don't suffer because they made the wrong choice.