Infectious diseases that result from unprotected sexual intercourse are combined into a single group called sexually transmitted diseases or STIs. Typically, such pathologies have several modes of transmission between people. According to medical research, the list of sexually transmitted infections includes more than 30 different pathogenic microorganisms that can infect a person with various types of sexual intimacy with a partner - with anal, oral or vaginal contacts. Eight types of viruses are classified as the most common, they are: gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, chlamydia, syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, herpes and HPV, some of which are considered incurable.
Below will be presented a kind of presentation of sexually transmitted infections.
Classification
By the type of pathogen, such pathologies are conditionally divided into 5 main groups:
- Bacterial
- Protozoal.
- Viral
- Parasitic.
- Fungal.
Sexually transmitted infections that can be triggered by bacterial microflora include:
- Syphilis.
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea.
- Inguinal granuloma.
- Chancroid.
- Mycoplasmosis
- Ureaplasmosis.
There are also hidden sexually transmitted infections. To viral ailments include:
- HIV
- Human papillomavirus.
- Herpes virus type 2.
- Molluscum contagiosum.
- Cytomegalovirus.
The diseases caused by protozoal infection include chlamydia and trichomoniasis, and a fungal infection can trigger candidiasis.
Sexually transmitted parasitic infections include pubic pediculosis, scabies, etc.
Syphilis
This disease develops, as a rule, very rapidly and is able to affect almost all organs and systems of the body. The causative agent in this case is pale treponema. The main route of transmission of this infection is through sexual, and in rare cases, parenteral and contact. From the moment of infection with this type of sexual infection until the first signs appear, approximately 3 weeks pass. In the place where the infection entered the body, a so-called hard chancre forms, which is an ulcer of the correct round shape, with smooth elastic edges. This is the first symptom of a sexually transmitted infection called syphilis.
The localization of the hard chancre can be very different: in the area of the external genitalia, on the fingers, on the tonsils, etc. The lymph nodes, which are located near the primary formation, begin to grow, becoming very dense. Nevertheless, on palpation, they are painless and mobile, and there is no local increase in temperature in their areas. Chancre data disappears after about a month, when regional lymphadenitis passes. From this moment, the development of various skin manifestations begins, which are a pale pink rash in the form of small subcutaneous hemorrhages. There are also signs of general chronic intoxication, manifested by weakness, an increase in low-grade fever and a lack of appetite. After about 2 weeks, these symptoms gradually disappear, and in most patients a stage of asymptomatic carriage of infection forms.
Possible complications
However, in the absence of adequate antibiotic therapy, the development of very serious complications is possible, which include:
- Syphilitic aortitis or endarteritis, which is a bacterial lesion of the aorta or other large vessels.
- Damage to bones and muscles.
- The defeat of the brain.
Mycoplasmosis
The microorganisms that can cause urogenital mycoplasmosis are the viruses Mycoplasma hominis and genitalium. These are opportunistic pathogens that develop this pathology only with a decrease in local immunity. Many experts do not include such a disease in the list of STIs due to its high prevalence and the body's ability to cure itself. The clinical symptoms of mycoplasmosis in men and women are significantly different. In men, a sexually transmitted infection is manifested by the following symptoms:
- Urethritis, which is an inflammatory process in the urethra.
- Epididymitis is an inflammatory process that occurs in the appendages of the testes.
- Orchitis.
- Prostatitis.
Despite the fact that prostatitis can be triggered by any infection of the genital area in men, the participation of mycoplasmas in the development of this disease is not proven.
Symptoms of mycoplasmosis in women:
- Cystitis.
- Urethritis.
- Cervicitis
- Colpitis.
- Salpingoophoritis.
- Pelvioperitonitis.
Chlamydia
This pathology is a disease that is considered one of the most common among sexually transmitted infections, exceeding the incidence of syphilis and gonorrhea. According to medical research, more than 80 million people worldwide suffer from this infection every year. Chlamydia is considered a socially significant infection, since such a high incidence rate is due to untimely diagnosis due to the absence of symptoms. This pathology leads to the development of infertility.
The microorganism that causes chlamydia is Chlamydia trachomatis. This bacterium belongs to gram-negative microorganisms having an intracellular development cycle. Sources of infection can be infected people who practice promiscuous sexual intercourse, as well as those who do not use barrier methods of contraception. There are known sexual and non-sexual routes of infection with this sexually transmitted infection in women, but the former is much more common. Chlamydia transmission can also occur from a sick mother to her baby during childbirth. With chlamydia, infection of the genitourinary system is primarily observed. However, infections have been reported in the form of inflammation of the rectum, eyes, posterior wall of the nasopharynx, immune defense cells, or joints.
The symptoms of this disease in men and women are manifested in different ways. In men, urethritis most often develops, which has an acute or subacute course and the presence of minor discharge of pus from the urethra, as well as very painful and difficult urination. Urethritis in some cases can be asymptomatic, which often leads to protracted forms of the disease, which entails complex and severe complications. In more rare cases, in men, there is a lesion of the prostate and epididymis, which manifests itself in the form of prostatitis, as well as epididymitis. The chronic course of prostatitis can manifest itself in the form of discomfort in the perineum, urinary retention, frequent urination, especially at night, decreased potency, and the impossibility of orgasm. A disease such as epididymitis occurs, as a rule, suddenly, with a high temperature of up to 40 degrees and acute pain in the testicles. Swelling of the scrotum is formed, which also leads to severe pain. After a few days, the symptoms of this pathology can completely disappear even without treatment. Chlamydia is the most common cause of male infertility.
Where to get tested for sexually transmitted infections? About it below.
In women, this disease is characterized by an asymptomatic course, but this is observed only until certain complications arise, which manifest as inflammation of the organs in the pelvic area. Signs of such complications can be soreness and discomfort in the genital area, vaginal discharge of a mucous or purulent nature, fever up to 39 degrees, serious malfunctions of the menstrual cycle, pulling pain in the lower abdomen. Chlamydia in the female version also manifests itself in the form of bartholinitis, endocervicitis, endometritis, salpingitis and pelvioperitonitis. In the absence of treatment, this pathology becomes chronic, which causes the development of infertility and a risk factor for the occurrence of malignant formations of the genital area.
Gonorrhea
The disease also has a high social significance, since recently there has been an increase in morbidity and a change in the age group of patients towards rejuvenation. This situation is associated with the prevalence of infection, which becomes immune to certain types of antibiotics due to their uncontrolled use.
The causative agent of the pathological process is the microorganism Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which refers to gram-negative cocci of the intracellular type. The source of infection is people. In addition to the genital tract of infection, there is a small percentage of indirect infection, for example, through general hygiene items, bedding, etc. Newborns receive this infection at birth from their mother.
Gonorrhea in men is characterized by the occurrence of acute urethritis and proceeds in the form of painful sensations during urination with abundant discharge of pus. About a week after receiving the infection, the symptoms may disappear even without therapeutic measures. Nevertheless, this is not a cure for this disease, as many people believe. This phenomenon is due to the transition of the pathological process into a chronic form, which has a protracted nature of the course with frequent occurrence of periods of exacerbation. Urethritis, provoked by gonorrhea, in men leads to complications such as morganite, tysonitis, colliculitis, lymphangitis, cuperitis, lymphadenitis, epididymitis, paraurethritis. These diseases have specific features in terms of localization of the pain syndrome, however, they are united by an acute period of occurrence in the form of an increase in body temperature to high numbers and severe pain in places of inflammation. If the disease is not treated on time, it often leads to impotence.
In women, the disease does not have a vivid clinical picture. Symptoms usually appear after the development of various complications. For female gonorrhea, the occurrence of a multi-focal pathological process is characteristic. Gonorrhea of the lower genitourinary tract is distinguished, which is presented in the form of urethritis, vaginitis, endocervicitis and bartholinitis. These inflammatory processes can manifest themselves in the form of symptoms such as burning pain during urination, separation of pus from the genital tract, redness of the mucous membranes of the genitals, pain during sexual intercourse. Varieties of ascending gonorrhea include: salpingitis, endometritis, and pelvioperitonitis. These pathologies are manifested by cramping and pulling pains in the lower abdomen, painful periods, cycle disorders, mucous or purulent discharge from the vagina and urethra, and a rise in subfebrile temperature. Prevention of sexually transmitted infections is very important.
Genital herpes
Clinical signs of this disease are specific symptoms that allow you to immediately determine its nature and begin treatment of such an STI. Herpetic infection is very widespread and leads to infertility in the absence of therapy. The causative agents of genital herpes are two types of viruses - HSV1 and HSV2, and the source of infection is a sick person or a virus carrier. As a rule, the herpes virus belonging to the first type affects the face, and the second type of virus is able to affect the genitourinary organs. Infections of the genitals with the first type of herpes and vice versa can occur during orogenital sexual contacts. You can become infected sexually or by contact. Infection of the fetus occurs from a sick mother during childbirth. The occurrence of this pathology during pregnancy often becomes the main cause of spontaneous miscarriages.
This disease manifests itself very specifically, and the clinical signs in men and women are approximately the same. In the genital area, the formation of small vesicles containing a clear liquid begins. They mature, then burst, leaving small areas of ulceration. This is accompanied by pain, itching and fever. After this, the development of herpetic urethritis and lymphadenitis with painful urination and dense discharge from the urethra is observed.
What other infections are sexually transmitted?
HPV
The cause of warts and warts is HPV - the papilloma virus. The disease is the main factor in the occurrence of oncological pathologies in the genital area, however, the majority of the world's population are carriers of this virus.
There are many ways to transmit this infection. When genital warts occur, a sexual transmission is observed. In this case, the source of infection is a virus carrier without clinical symptoms or a directly ill person.
This disease proceeds, usually hidden and painless for a very long period. With the development of disorders in the immune defense system, this virus activates. The disease is characterized by the formation of warts and papillomas on the patient’s body, of a very different localization. Human papillomavirus is considered the main cause of cervical cancer, and this occurs in almost 40% of infected women.
HIV infection is also sexually transmitted. It can be obtained by transfusion of blood and its preparations, in the prenatal period, during childbirth or during breastfeeding. But still, vaginal and anal intercourse are the most common transmission route in the world. You can get infected during oral sex. Kisses are most often safe. Other STDs, traumatic sexual intercourse, lack of male circumcision, vaginosis, intercourse during menstruation and oral contraceptives increase the risk of HIV infection during sexual intercourse. Moreover, transmission occurs more often from man to woman than vice versa. Condoms and other barrier contraceptives can help reduce your risk.
Where to pass the analysis?
Blood for sexually transmitted infections can be donated at any medical facility.
Anyone who has an active sex life needs to be tested for STIs every six months for prevention. After a course of treatment for any infection, analysis is required after a month, and then after another three. It is also necessary to be examined when planning pregnancy. In the case of unprotected accidental sexual contact, a reliable result may not be immediately. So, HIV is detected only six months after contact, like syphilis. And in order to detect hepatitis, you need from 1.5 to 3 months.
Sexually transmitted infections can be tested for free. But first, it's better to visit a specialist. This is a venereologist, andrologist, urologist or gynecologist.
STI Prevention
Preventive measures that prevent the infection of STIs are divided into two types:
1. Primary, which are aimed at their prevention:
- barrier contraception (condoms);
- organization of sexual activity with one reliable partner;
- intimate hygiene.
2. Secondary, which are aimed at preventing the disease in cases of suspected infection. For example, after suspicious sexual contact or in cases when a person has learned about the presence of an STI after an unprotected act has occurred.
Treating Sexually Transmitted Infections
Appropriate treatment for such diseases should be prescribed exclusively by a specialist after carrying out all the necessary methods of differential and laboratory diagnosis. Depending on what kind of pathogen this or that pathological condition is provoked, a specific treatment regimen is drawn up. The main part of such diseases is successfully treated, however, here it is necessary to observe the conditions of timeliness and strict compliance with the requirements of a specialist. Incurable pathologies include STIs such as HIV, herpes, and hepatitis C.
Therapeutic methods are aimed at eliminating the symptoms. For this, the following tablets are used for sexually transmitted infections:
- Immunomodulators that allow you to activate the body's immune response to the introduction of infectious agents into it.
- Antiviral agents that accelerate the process of remission when a viral infection enters the latency phase.
- Hepatoprotectors used to support the liver.
- Cardiac glycosides to ensure the normal functioning of the heart muscle.
- Vitamin complexes - as part of general strengthening therapy.
- Antiparasitic drugs.
- Antibiotics that can destroy pathogenic microorganisms.
- Antifungal agents for the treatment and prevention of diseases caused by pathogenic fungi.
In our country, special days are held for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections.