About STDs

STDs

Overview The term sexually transmitted disease (STD) is applied to any group of diseases spread by sexual contact (sexual intercourse, oral-genital contact or anal sex). According to the American Social Health Association, about 19 million...

Testing for STDs

There's more to STD testing than just an HIV test. Blood tests, samples of fluids from the genitals and a Pap smear may all be performed to look for sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs. STDs can include Hepatitis A, B and C, syphilis, HIV (the...

How to Test for STDs in Men

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends screening men for STDs only when symptoms are present or for men having sexual intercourse with other men. Symptoms of STDs in men generally include any sores, blisters or warts on the skin...

First Symptoms of STDs

Currently, over 20 different types of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have been identified and affect at least 13 million people in the United States annually, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. The first...

Common Symptoms of STDs

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are on the rise in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with women and blacks being disproportionately affected. Prevention of STDs is important, and methods include...

How Do Doctors Test for STDs?

Sexually-transmitted diseases, or STDs, are diseases that are spread and contracted through sexual contact. Many can cause serious complications or health problems, so it's important to get tested for STDs if you suspect that you may have been...

Testing for STDs in Women

The exact number of women infected with sexual transmitted diseases is difficult to determine because reporting is required only for cases of gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia. Data show that more women than men are infected with STDs. This...

How Doctors Test for STDs in Men

In many cases, the first test that a doctor will do to screen for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is a thorough physical exam. The physician will want to ask about the man's sexual history and practices, including if the patient has sex with...

What STDs Cause Frequent Urination?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, sexually transmitted diseases, like chlamydia and gonorrhea, are infecting millions of people every year and are the most commonly reported infectious diseases in the nation. STDs are more frequently...

How to Avoid Getting STDs & HIV

Individuals who are sexually active should practice safe sex to reduce their risk for sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, such as genital herpes, chlamydia, HIV, genital warts, gonorrhea and syphilis. Safe sex is defined as taking a variety of...

What Are the Basic Routine STDs Tested for by Swabbing?

Sexually transmitted diseases or infections should be tested for before beginning a new sexual relationship, after one has ended, or if symptoms present themselves. Not every doctor or clinic has a standard set of tests to test for STDs. The tests...

Early Symptoms of STDs

Sexually transmitted diseases can cause a variety of symptoms that may or may not be visible right away. Some sexually transmitted diseases can exhibit very mild and unnoticeable symptoms while others may show up immediately. Some early symptoms...

What Do Doctors Do to Test for STDs?

The World Health Organization estimated in 1999 that nearly one million people worldwide contracted a new sexually transmitted disease, or STD, every day. Doctors use several different tests to look for STDs based on the characteristics of the...

The Most Important Things to Know About STDs

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) can be a handful to understand. Though the acronym might have changed (they used to be called STDs, or Sexually Transmitted Diseases), the symptoms haven't. To get you started on your path to sexual health,...

About Getting Tested for an STD

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a major medical issue, not just for personal care but for the public at large. STDs range from annoying and painful infections to life-threatening illnesses. Getting tested for STDs can be daunting, but the...

STD Symptoms

A sexually transmitted disease (STD) occurs when an infection passes from an infected person through intimate contact to another person, states "Understanding Medical Surgical Nursing" by Linda Williams and Paula Hopper. Areas most commonly...

Early STD Symptoms

Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are infections a person can get from having sexual contact with someone who has the infection. The most common STDs are chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, syphilis and HIV/AIDS. Each of these STDs has its own set...

How Is an STD Test Performed?

An STD test, or sexually transmitted disease test, may be performed for one or more of the many diseases that can be contracted through contact with bodily fluids during sexual activity. There are many tests, each of which is specific for a...

Female STD Symptoms

Sexually transmitted diseases or STDs occur in more than 20 percent of people who have had at least two sexual partners, report Schiffert Health Center officials at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. Women who develop any of the female STD symptoms...

What Are the Symptoms of a STD?

"STD" stands for "sexually transmitted disease". They occur from having unprotected sex. They are not exclusive to heterosexual or homosexual relations, and you can get them from vaginal, anal and oral sex. The Mayo Clinic states that condoms are...

How Do STD Tests Work?

An STD test may consist of a blood test, a sampling of genital fluids or cells, a visual examination of the genitals or a urine test. STD tests are available for these common sexually transmitted diseases: herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis B...

What Are the Early Symptoms of an STD?

Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are the most common type of infectious disease, affecting more than 19 million people in the United States each year, according to health officials at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. People...

How to Get Tested for an STD

Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, can be routinely tested for. The types of tests administered are based on sexual history, signs and symptoms. When getting tested, be prepared to talk about unprotected sex that occurred and the number of...

STD Information

STD Facts and Statistics AIDS and HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a virus that attacks the immune system, resulting in Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, or AIDS. Chancroid A treatable bacterial infection that causes painful sores. ...

Common STD Signs & Symptoms

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are contagious, and transmission occurs when a person comes in intimate contact with an infected individual, according to "Understanding Medical Surgical Nursing" by Linda Williams and Paula Hopper. You can...

STD Symptoms in Females

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be especially dangerous, especially to females. Many women with these infections are unaware that they have them, and unknowingly spread the disease to others. The only foolproof way to prevent the...

What Are the Common STD Symptoms in Women?

Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, present an important health problem in the United States and worldwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates approximately 19 million new cases of STDs in the country per year, most of...

STD Health Video (Video)

Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, encompass any number of diseases that can be passed through intercourse or other sexual activity. Learn more about STDs, or sexually transmitted diseases, including treatments and symptoms in this medical...

Yeast infection Health Video (Video)

A yeast infection is a fungal infection of the vagina, oral cavity, intestines, or bladder. Get expert tips and advice on preventing, diagnosing, and treating yeast infections in this video.

Vaginitis Health Video (Video)

Vaginitis is a general inflammation of the vaginal mucous membranes and is a common problem. Get expert tips and advice on preventing, diagnosing, and treating vaginitis in this video.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Health Video (Video)

Pelvic inflammatory disease is a generic medical term used to cover inflammations of the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries. Learn more about pelvic inflammatory disease in this obstetrics video.

Pap Smear Health Video (Video)

A pap smear is a gynecological test designed to detect premalignant and malignant processes in the cervix and uterus. Get tips and advice on preventing, diagnosing, and treating cervical and uterine cancer in this medical video.