HIV is dangerous, but it’s not the only sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can dramatically affect your life – there are others that can cause real damage. Using condoms and getting regular check-ups if you’re sexually active are how you stay healthy. Come and take a look at the STD line-up.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a common STD, but most people don’t even know they have the infection! The reason? Not everyone gets any of the symptoms, like pain when urinating, genital discharge or bleeding between periods and after sex. If left untreated, chlamydia can spread and lead to long-term health problems, like infertility and pelvic inflammation. Chlamydia is usually treated with antibiotics. Read more about chlamydia here.
Syphilis
Syphilis is a very serious bacterial infection. Syphilis is not only transmitted through unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex, but pregnant women can pass the infection to an unborn child. In most cases, a syphilis infection during pregnancy will cause stillbirth or death of an infant shortly after birth. There are 3 separate phases to syphilis and it’s most infectious in the first 2. It’s important to know that syphilis is easily treated with antibiotics if diagnosed in the early stages.
Read more about syphilis here.
Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is caused by a virus. This common (and very infectious) disease infects the genital areas and is transmitted from one person to another during sexual activity. Herpes can cause blisters or groups of small ulcers (open sores) on and around the genitals in both men and women, but may cause no symptoms in some people. While there are prescribed medications to treat outbreaks and symptoms, genital herpes can’t be cured. Get more genital herpes information here.
Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection that’s spread through any kind of unprotected sex. Unfortunately gonorrhoea can go undetected as men who are infected may not experience any symptoms. Antibiotics are used to treat the infection and have a 95% success rate, but antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea is on the rise, making it tougher to treat the infection. Find out more about gonorrhoea here.
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