Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are generally acquired through sexual contact. The bacteria, viruses, or parasites that cause STDs can be transmitted from one person to another through blood, semen, or vaginal fluids and other body fluids. STIs are usually transmitted through the sex of the penis and vagina, but they can also be spread through anal sex, oral sex and, rarely, open-mouth kissing. Anyone who has sexual contact with another person is at risk of contracting an STI.
Some STIs cause symptoms and others don't.A person with an STD can transmit it to others through contact with the skin, genitals, mouth, rectum, or body fluids. This includes contact through vaginal sex, anal sex, or oral sex. Even if there are no symptoms, your health may be affected. STDs are infections that are transmitted from one person to another, usually during vaginal, anal, and oral sex. They're very common and many people who have them don't have any symptoms.
Without treatment, STDs can cause serious health problems. But the good news is that getting tested isn't a big deal and most STDs are easy to treat. There's nothing like enjoying sex without worrying about sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy. Using condoms, talking openly with your partner, and getting tested regularly is the way to do this. When it comes to sexually transmitted diseases, there's no single test you can take to check them all.
But that doesn't mean getting tested is difficult. Read more about STD testing to learn what to expect. Because many people in the early stages of an STD or STI don't have symptoms, screening for STIs is important to prevent complications. If you are sexually active, you should talk to your healthcare provider about your risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases and if you need to be tested. You may not realize that you have certain STDs until you have no damage to your reproductive organs (making you infertile), vision, heart, or other organs.
Some STDs can be diagnosed during a physical exam or by microscopic examination of a sore or fluid removed from the vagina, penis, or anus. The correct use of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not completely eliminate, the risk of contracting or transmitting sexually transmitted diseases. There is no cure for STDs caused by viruses, but medications can often help with symptoms and reduce the risk of spreading the infection. HIV, chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, some forms of hepatitis, syphilis and trichomoniasis are sexually transmitted diseases. Most STDs affect both men and women, but in many cases the health problems they cause may be more serious in women.
