Sexually Transmitted Diseases - Description
Sexually transmitted diseases are very common medical conditions. In the United States, about 85 percent of the most common infectious diseases can be spread by sexual contact. The rate of STD infection in the United States is more than 50 times as great as that in other developed countries. Experts estimate that 1 in 4 of all sexually active Americans will get an STD at least once in their lives.
About twelve million new STD infections occur in the United States each year with teenagers between the ages of sixteen and nineteen accounting for 1 in 4 cases.
Sexually transmitted diseases are often mild infections that can be cleared up with simple medical treatment. If left untreated, however, serious complications can result. These complications include:
- Birth defects
- Blindness
- Bone deformities
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Infertility
- Mental retardation
- Death
The majority of these complications develop only when an STD is not treated properly.
Types of STD
The following are some of the more common STDs in the United States.
- Chlamydia. Chlamydial diseases are caused by microscopic organisms that belong to the family chlamydia (pronounced kluh-MID-ee-uh). Two common chlamydial infections are nongonococcal (not gonorrhea) urethritis (NGU) and nonspecific urethritis (NSU). Urethritis (pronounced YOOR-ih-THRY-tiss) means an inflammation of the urethra.
- Gonorrhea. Gonorrhea (pronounced gahn-uh-REE-uh) is caused by a microorganism called Neisseria gonorrhoea (pronounced ny-SEER-ee-uh gahn-UH-ree-uh). It is easily cured when treated properly.
- Genital warts. Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). It is the single most important risk factor for cervical cancer in women (see cancer entry).
- Syphilis. Syphilis (SIF-uh-liss) is caused by a microorganism called Treponema pallidum (pronounced trep-uh-NEE-muh PAL-ee-um). Like most STDs, syphilis can be cured if treated promptly and correctly. However, when left untreated, it can cause serious damage to the body and even death.
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. HIV is the virus responsible for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS (see AIDS entry). No cure is presently available for HIV infection. However, major steps have been made in finding ways to control the disease.
- Antibiotic:
- A substance derived from bacteria or other organisms that fights the growth of other bacteria or organisms.
- Chlamydia :
- A family of microorganisms that causes several types of sexually transmitted diseases in humans.
- Condom:
- A thin sheath (covering) worn over the penis during sexual activity to prevent pregnancy and the spread of STD.
- Diaphragm:
- A dome-shaped device used to cover the back of a woman's vagina to prevent pregnancy.
- Gonorrhea:
- An STD that affects the mucous membranes, particularly in the urinary tract and genital area. Can make urination painful and cause pus-like discharges through the urinary tract.
- Lymph nodes:
- Small round or oval bodies within the immune system. Lymph nodes provide materials that fight disease and help remove bacteria and other foreign material from the body.
- Monogomy:
- When both people in a relationship have no sexual activities outside of the relationship. The practice of having only one sexual partner.
- Nongonococcal urethritis (NGU):
- An inflammation of the urethra that is not caused by the microorganism that causes gonorrhea.
- Nonspecific urethritis (NSU):
- An inflammation of the urethra caused by a chlamydia microorganism. The term arose because at one time, the cause of the infection was not known.
- Syphilis:
- An STD that can cause sores and eventually lead to brain disease, paralysis, and death.
- Semen:
- A white fluid produced by the male reproductive system that carries sperm.
- Vaccine:
- A substance that causes the body's immune system to build up resistance to a particular disease.
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