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 affected by an STD include the genital, rectum or mouth. STDs also spread though blood and bodily fluids, per Williams and Hopper. The Mayo Clinic says condoms prove a good preventative measure against STDs, but they are not 100 percent effective against all diseases. Symptoms of STDs vary based on the type of STD disease contracted. There are more than 50 diseases and syndromes associated with STDs, according to Williams and Hopper. Not all STDs have immediate symptoms, causing an infected person to appear asymptomatic, and spread diseases, unknowingly to other sexual partners.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia proves one of the most common STDs in U.S., per the Mayo Clinic. This disease can be transmitted by both blood and body fluid, according to Williams and Hopper, and symptoms often prove asymptomatic in women. Chlamydia generally causes secondary infections for women, such as urethritis, MPC, and conjunctivitis. Painful urination and painful sexual intercourse can present for both men and women, while pain in the testes can occur in men. Williams and Hopper state sharp pain at the base of the ribs that sometimes travels to the right arm and shoulder as another possible symptom of this STD. Unusual discharge may also signal Chlamydia.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is another common sexually transmitted disease. The bacteria that causes Gonorrhea, N. gonorrhoeae, can spread orally, rectally and vaginally through contact with blood and body fluids, says Williams and Hopper. Symptoms often prove asymptomatic in men, or they can experience yellow discharge from the penis. Williams and Hopper say women's symptoms can vary, some having no symptoms at all, while others experience urethritis, MPC, sore throat or abnormal menstrual bleeding. Pain, focused in the lower abdomen and testicular area, also remains a possible side of effect of this STD. Pregnant mothers can transmit gonorrhea to their fetuses, according to Williams and Hopper. It can take a month for symptoms of Gonorrhea to show up, says the Center for Disease Control.
Syphilis
One of the oldest STDs around today is Syphilis, according to Williams and Hopper. The primary stage of Syphilis starts by the entry of Treponema pallidum spirochete through the skin after contact with the bacteria through an infected person, and can cause red, painless, ulcers (chancre) on the genitals, says Williams and Hopper. The secondary stage of this STD may show progressive symptoms, such as skin rashes, lesions in the lining of the mouth, hair loss, weight loss, fatigue, joint pain or lymph node swelling. The tertiary stage (final stage) of this STD can cause serious damage if left untreated in the earlier two stages, per Williams and Hopper. Final stage symptoms affect any organ system in the body and possibly cause severe complications, such as gummas (rubbery tumors that can wear holes in body tissue) in the heart, circulatory system and nervous system. Severe cases of Syphilis can lead to disabilities, mental and physical or early death.
References
- The Mayo Clinic: Common STD Signs
- Center for Disease Control: Gonorrhea
- "Understanding Medical Surgical Nursing"; by Linda S. Williams and Paula D. Hopper, 2003
