Sexually transmitted infections
If only recently doctors were aware of only two of the most ancient sexually transmitted diseases, then today so many diseases have appeared that they have entered a group called “STIs”. These are sexually transmitted infections caused not only by pathogenic microbes, but also by conditionally pathogenic microorganisms.
These include:
syphilis caused by pale treponema;
gonorrhea (clap) caused by gonococcus;
chlamydia. This disease occurs most often and is caused by intracellular parasites – chlamydia;
mycoplasmosis. The cause is microbes that can cause inflammatory processes in the body;
candidiasis. The cause is Candida fungus. In men, as a rule, the disease proceeds unnoticed;
trichomoniasis. Infection occurs, as a rule, through close contact of the genitals;
herpes;
HPV (human papillomavirus);
HIV and viral hepatitis.
How does the disease appear?
Infections only need to get on the mucous membrane and the latent incubation period of the disease begins. The disease is transmitted during sexual intercourse or with close contact of the genitals. Neglect of the rules of prevention, frequent change of partners, refusal of contraceptives leads to serious health problems.
From the moment it enters the human body to its clinical symptoms, a certain period of time passes. It is different in all diseases. Basically, the symptoms begin to appear 2 weeks after the last sexual contact.
Symptoms
itching, burning, redness of the genitals;
pain during sexual contact;
strange and abundant discharge from the genitals;
painful sensations during urination;
the appearance of ulcers and blisters on the surface of the skin, accompanied by severe scabies;
enlargement of lymph nodes.
Diagnostics
Only a specialized doctor can determine the exact cause of the symptoms: a gynecologist or a urologist. After a visual examination, he can prescribe several tests to confirm the presence of infection and the inflammatory process: take a smear on the flora, make a bacteriological culture, donate blood for HIV infection, syphilis, etc.
Treatment
Treatment takes place individually and depends on the nature of the pathogen and the degree of inflammation. Doctors use:
local treatment;
the use of antibiotics;
immunostimulants.
If STIs are not treated, serious inflammation of the internal organs can occur, cause infertility and provoke the growth of cancer cells.
Also, venereal diseases are transmitted not only from partner to partner, but are also able to penetrate through the placenta or during childbirth, causing serious respiratory and visual problems in the newborn.
