The Most Common Types of STDs – Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Most adults in the world do have sex, and because of this, many also have an STD, or Sexually Transmitted Disease. In fact, many people have an STD and don’t even realize it. This is true whether you are a heterosexual or homosexual, and whether you are single or married. Everyone who has sex, including oral sex, is subject to contracting an STD. This is even true if you use a condom, although the use of a condom greatly reduces the risk of contracting an STD.

Chlamydia is a common type of STD, and many people who contract Chlamydia do not realize that they have it. If there are symptoms, they may include painful intercourse, discharge from the genitals, abdominal pain, and more. Men and women can both get Chlamydia.

Syphilis and Gonorrhea, which were always known as Venereal Diseases in the past, are now considered STDs. Syphilis is the more serious of the two, and it is a bacterial infection. It affects more than just the genitals – eventually attacking the brain and the heart. The four stages of Syphilis are primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. Gonorrhea is also a bacterial infection, but it can be treated better than syphilis, and it isn’t as serious.

Many people don’t realize that Hepatitis is also a sexually transmitted disease. There are other ways to contract hepatitis as well. Hepatitis A, B, and C are contagious, and can be spread through sexual intercourse. Hepatitis can eventually lead to death due to liver failure. HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is also an STD.

Trichomoniasis is one of the more common STDs. This particular STD is caused by a parasite, and the parasite moves from one person to another through sexual intercourse. Both men and women can be infected with Trichomoniasis, but men generally don’t have any symptoms.

Genital Herpes and Genital Warts are both STDs as well, but many people think that they are the same thing. They are not the same thing. Genital Herpes is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus – HSV. Genital Warts is caused by the HPV Virus, or Human Pappiloma Virus.

If you think that you have an STD, visit your doctor. Use as many precautions as possible when having sexual intercourse, and of course never have sex with people that you don’t know, or with multiple partners. Fidelity and monogamous relationships do have their advantages.  Also, if you have been diagnosed with an STD, or suspect one, do not have sexual intercourse with anyone until your doctor says it is safe to do so – not even protected sex.