What Are Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)?

STD full form is sexually transmitted diseases. These are infections that are commonly spread by sex, especially vaginal intercourse, anal sex, or oral sex. More than thirty different types of bacteria, viruses and parasites can cause STI. 

Types of STDs:

Sexually transmitted diseases include:

• Chlamydia

• Chancroid

• Genital herpes

• Genital warts

• Hepatitis B

• HIV

• HPV (human papillomavirus)

• Trichomoniasis

• Syphilis

• Gonorrhoea

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

What are the symptoms of STD?

All STDs do not show symptoms so treatments can sometimes get delayed. But some infections come with some symptoms: 

Symptoms of STDs in Men:

• Penile discharge

• Painful inter course 

• Burning sensation during urination

• Frequent urination

• Painless sore around penis

Symptoms of STDs in Women:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding

• Whitish vaginal or painful inter course

• Burning sensation during urination

• Frequent urination

• Painless sore around vagina

• Heavy greenish discharge with a foul odour

• Vaginal itching or burning around the vagina 

How to diagnose STDs?

Many home testing kits are available to check your hunch if you experience any of the symptoms regarding STD's. Don't solely rely on them as they may not always reliable.

Regular screening with a Pap smear Test can prevent or detect most cases of early-stage HPV caused cervical cancer. Always remember to get tested for STDs at the doctor’s clinic or in a hospital. Don't just rely on home testing kits.

How treatment of STDs are done?

• Chlamydia: Persons with chlamydia should abstain from sex for seven days after the single dose of antibiotics or until the completion of a seven day course of antibiotics. 

• Genital herpes: It cannot be cured but can be controlled with medications.

• HPV: It cannot be cured but can be prevented with vaccines and controlled with medications. 

• Syphilis: It can be treated with a single injection of antibiotic if recognized during the early stages, usually within one year of infection. If not it could not be recognized during early stages, then syphilis may need longer period treatment with antibiotics. 

• Trichomoniasis: It can be treated with a single dose of antibiotics, usually either metronidazole or tinidazole, taken by mouth. 

• Hepatitis B: It can be treated with antiviral medications and can be prevented with vaccination. 

• Gonorrhoea: It can be treated with antibiotics. 

• HIV/ Aids: Persons who may have a higher risk of HIV infection can obtain HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis or PrEP which consist of HIV medication known as Truvada from their doctors and should take this consistently to prevent HIV. AIDS can be prevented in those who are suffering from HIV by early initiation of antiretroviral therapy. 

Some of these diseases can be treated with antibiotics like azithromycin, cefixime and metronidazole. Treatments can reduce the symptoms and progression of most of these infections. 

Are there any side effects of STD treatment?

Medicines for the treatment or control of sexually transmitted diseases may cause some side effects such as an allergic reaction, have itching, redness and swelling in the skin. Some kind of germs may even cause development of cancer. Some viral infections like hepatitis B and HIV can cause serious illness and may result in death. Medications for chlamydia can cause nausea and vomiting, belly pain or cramps, vaginal itching or discharge.

After the treatment with antibiotics, patient who was suffering from syphilis can experience fever, headaches, joint or muscle pain and nausea and chills. Side effects of HIV medication are- hypersensitivity reaction, anemia, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, neuropathy, rash, insomnia, fatigue, loss of appetite etc. like this many other medications for other STDs may have side effects. 

What are the post-treatment guidelines?

Even if the symptoms go away during the treatment patients must continue their course of medication. Doctors will generally prescribe blood tests to ensure that the patients are responding to the medications given. Sex partners must be get tested too if they need. 

It is suggested to avoid unsafe sex and to use condoms while having sexual intercourse as the person has a chance of getting re-infected with the disease. For some infections, it is suggested to get tested regularly for sexually transmitted diseases. 

Can STD be cured?

Many STDs can be cured with antibiotics or other treatments:

• Trichomoniasis 

• Syphilis

• Gonorrhea

• Chlamydia

Which STD is not curable?

Few STDs can’t be cured but can still be managed with treatments

• HPV

• Genital herpes

• HIV

STDs from oral sex:

Oral sex is a form of sexual activity that involves the use of mouth, lips, or tongue to arouse the sex organ (penis or vagina) or anus of a sex partner. Although the risk of contracting STDs from oral sex is far lower than other forms of sex, it is still significant. In fact, exposing yourself to unprotected oral sex multiple times can increase your risk of getting infected with STDs.

Therefore, you should take the following measures to reduce your risk of getting STDs from oral sex:

• For mouth-to-penis oral sex: Envelope the penis with a non-lubricated latex condom.

• For mouth-to-vagina contact or mouth to anus contact: Use a dental dam

Risk factors of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

There are certain factors that can affect your likelihood of contracting or developing Sexually Transmitted Disease. Those are: 

• Having unprotected sex

• Having multiple sexual partners

• Drug abuse

• Sharing needles

Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Prevention

There are certain measures you can take in order to reduce your risk of contracting STDs. Some of those ways are: 

• Practice safe sex

• Avoid multiple sex partners

• Get yourself vaccinated

• Avoid alcohol or drug abuse

What is the cost of STD treatment in India?

Cost of treatment will be determined by fees of doctor and the type of STD a patient is affected with, stage of the disease and medications chosen for a particular patient. Many low cost STD checking packages are also available. Cost of treatment will vary. 

Are the results of the treatment permanent?

Permanency cannot be guaranteed in many cases because infections can return or the symptoms or infection may not have disappeared with the treatment. But there have been many cases where the curable diseases have been effectively cured. 

What are the home remedies to the treat STD's?

Amongst many home remedies:

• Echinacea is highly appreciated as this herb is used to treat many infections including STDs as it boosts immune system and stimulate hormone secretion in the body

• Garlic can prevent the risks of STDs as garlic contain antiviral and germ killing power that may effectively purify the whole system.

• Yogurt is very well known for its natural probiotics which make it ideal for fighting with the infections throughout the body. 

• Probiotics can help in the growth of good bacteria in the body. 

• Lemon juice which can reduce the pain associated with the STDs through its astringent properties, lemon balm, Aloe vera gel, Neem leaves, milk thistle, cranberry juice, tea tree oil etc.