"VENEREAL DISEASES (STD'S)"

Sexually transmitted diseases (also called STDs, or STIs for sexually transmitted infections) are infections that can be transferred from one person to another through sexual contact. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are over 15 million cases of sexually transmitted disease cases reported annually in the United States. There are more than 25 diseases that are transmitted through sexual activity. Other than HIV, the most common STDs in the United States are chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes, human papillomavirus, hepatitis B, trichomoniasis, and bacterial vaginosis. Adolescents and young adults are the age groups at the greatest risk for acquiring an STD. Approximately 19 million new infections occur each year, almost half of them among people ages 15 to 24.

Some STDs can have severe consequences, especially in women, if not treated, which is why it is so important to go for STD testing. Some STDs can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, which can cause infertility, while others may even be fatal. STDs can be prevented by refraining from sexual activity, and to a certain extent, some contraceptive devices, such as condoms.

Bacterial

• Chancroid (Haemophilus ducreyi)
• Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis)
• Granuloma inguinale or (Klebsiella granulomatis)
• Gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae)
• Syphilis (Treponema pallidum)

Fungal

• Tinea cruris "Jock Itch" (Trichophyton rubrum and others)—Sexually transmissible
• Candidiasis or "yeast Infection"

Viral

• Viral hepatitis (Hepatitis B virus)—saliva, venereal fluids.
  (Note: Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E are transmitted via the fecal-oral route; Hepatitis C (liver cancer) is rarely sexually transmittable,^[2] and the route of transmission of Hepatitis D (only if infected with B) is uncertain, but may include sexual transmission.^[3][4][5])
• Herpes simplex (Herpes simplex virus 1, 2) skin and mucosal, transmissible with or without visible blisters
• HIV/ AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)— venereal fluids
• HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)— skin and mucosal contact. 'High risk' types of HPV are known to cause most types of cervical cancer, as well as anal, penile, and vulvar cancer, and genital warts.
• Molluscum contagiosum (molluscum contagiosum virus MCV)—close contact

Parasites

• Crab louse, colloquially known as "crabs" (Phthirius pubis)
• Scabies (Sarcoptes scabiei)

STD symptoms vary, but the most common are soreness, unusual lumps or sores, itching, pain when urinating, and/or an unusual discharge from the genitals. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please come see us at Meadowbrook Urgent Care immediately.