What are sexual diseases. Sexually transmitted diseases and STDs: from infection to symptoms. What are the main causes of infection

The term "venereal diseases", widely used in Soviet times in relation to syphilis and gonorrhea, is gradually being replaced by a more correct one - diseases (infections) that are predominantly sexually transmitted.

This is because many of these diseases are also transmitted by parenteral and vertical routes (that is, through blood, raw instruments, from mother to fetus, and so on).

Eight venereal disease pathogens are the most common and are associated with the majority of diagnosed STDs. STDs are mainly contracted during sex (vaginal, anal, oral).

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  1. Key facts about STDs

  1. 1 More than 1 million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases are registered daily worldwide.
  2. 2 Every year there are 357 million new cases of 1 of 4 sexually transmitted infections worldwide: chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and trichomoniasis.
  3. 3 WHO estimates that about half a billion people worldwide are infected with the genital herpes virus.
  4. 4 More than 290 million women are infected with papillomaviruses.
  5. 5 Most STDs are not accompanied by severe symptoms and are asymptomatic.
  6. 6 Some sexually transmitted infections (herpesvirus type 2, syphilis) may increase the chance of transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
  7. 7 In addition to the negative impact on the body and the launch of a chronic infectious and inflammatory process, sexually transmitted diseases can cause serious reproductive disorders.

  

  Table 1 - The most common STD pathogens

  2. Bacterial STIs

  2.1. Chlamydia

  - a disease caused by Chlamydia Ch. trachomatis serovars D-K. Chlamydia is one of the most common STIs. Most often, the infection is diagnosed in young patients (15-24 years).

  In women, chlamydia is more often asymptomatic (80% of patients are not bothered by anything). Only half of men infected with chlamydia may experience genital and urinary symptoms.

  The most typical symptoms that accompany a chlamydial infection are pain, pain in the urethra when urinating, the appearance of a mucous or purulent yellow discharge from the urethra (in women, from the vagina).

  2.2. Gonorrhea

  - a venereal disease caused by Neisser's gonococci and accompanied by lesions of the genital organs, rectum, in some cases, the posterior pharyngeal wall.

  In men, the disease is accompanied by burning in the urethra during urination, the appearance of white, yellowish or green discharge from the urethral canal (often the secret is collected during the night and its maximum amount is released before the first urination), swelling and soreness of the testicles.

  Some men gonorrhea is asymptomatic. Most women infected with N. gonorrhea do not complain about their health. Symptoms in women can be pain, burning in the urethra during urination, the appearance of discharge, bleeding between periods.

  Infection of the rectum occurs during unprotected anal sex and is accompanied by itching, burning, pain in the anus, the appearance of discharge, blood from the rectum.

  2.3. Mycoplasmosis

  Not all mycoplasmas are pathogenic. At the moment, only infection requires mandatory treatment, as they often cause non-gonococcal urethritis, vaginitis, cervicitis, PID.

  M. hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum are also found in healthy men and women, however, in the presence of predisposing factors, they can cause diseases of the urogenital area.

  2.4. chancroid

  Chancroid (causative agent - Haemophilus ducreyi) is an endemic disease registered predominantly in the countries of Africa, the Caribbean, and Southwest Asia. For European countries, only periodic outbreaks (imported cases) are typical.

  The disease is accompanied by the appearance of painful ulcers on the genitals, an increase in regional lymph nodes. H. ducreyi infection increases the chance of human immunodeficiency virus transmission.

  

  Figure 1 - In the area of ​​the penis, at the base of the head, an early chancroid is determined. In the right inguinal region - a regional increase in inguinal lymph nodes.

  2.5. Inguinal granuloma

  Inguinal granuloma (synonym - donovanosis, causative agent - Calymmatobacterium granulomatis) is a chronic bacterial infection that usually affects the skin and mucous membranes in the groin and genitals.

  Nodular seals appear on the skin and mucous membranes, which then ulcerate. Ulcers may gradually grow.

  Inguinal granuloma in temperate countries is rare and is most typical for South countries. Africa, Australia, South. America. Most often the disease is diagnosed in patients aged 20-40 years.

  

  Figure 2 - Inguinal granuloma.

  2.6. Venereal granuloma

  - damage to the inguinal lymph nodes that develops as a result of infection with serovars L1 - L3 Chlamydia trachomatis. The disease is endemic to Africa, Southeast Asia, India, South. America. Over the past 10 years, there has been an increase in the incidence in the North. America, Europe.

  The patient is concerned about ulcerative defects on the skin of the genitals, which are then supplemented by an increase in the lymph nodes in the groin area, and an increase in body temperature. Patients may also experience ulceration of the rectum, which leads to pain in the anus, perineum, the appearance of discharge, blood from the anus.

  2.7. Syphilis

  - a highly contagious (infectious) sexually transmitted disease, which is characterized by a staged course. In the early stages, a chancre is formed in the genital area, oropharynx, etc. The ulcer closes over time.

  After a short period of time, a rash appears on the patient's body, which is not accompanied by itching. The rash can appear on the palms, soles, and then spread to any part of the body.

  With untimely therapy in the later stages, irreversible damage to internal organs, including the nervous system, occurs.

  

  Figure 3 - The figure in the upper left corner shows the causative agent of syphilis. In the lower left corner is a chancre (ulcer), which is formed at the first stage of the disease. In the right half - a type of rash characteristic of secondary syphilis.

  3. Trichomoniasis

  - protozoal STI, in which the tissues of the vagina and urethra are involved in inflammation. Every year 174 million new cases of trichomoniasis are registered in the world.

  Only 1/3 of infected patients have any signs of trichomoniasis: burning, itching in the vagina, urethra, fetid yellow-green discharge from the genital tract, pain during urination. In men, the listed symptoms may be accompanied by complaints of pain and swelling of the scrotum.

  4. Candidiasis

  - an infectious disease caused by yeast fungi of the genus Candida. There are more than 20 species of Candida that can cause infection, but the most common causative agent of candidiasis is Candida albicans (Candida albicans).

  The disease does not apply to STDs, but is often transmitted through unprotected sex.

  Normally, candida live in the intestines, on the skin and mucous membranes of a healthy person and do not cause disease. With concomitant chronic diseases, inadequate antibiotic therapy, immunodeficiency, unprotected sexual contact with the patient, fungal colonies grow and local inflammation develops.

  Vaginal candidiasis is accompanied by a feeling of itching, burning in the vulva and vagina, pain, discomfort during sex, the appearance of pain during urination, the appearance of a white cheesy discharge from the genital tract.

  In men, candida often causes balanitis and balanoposthitis (itching, redness, peeling of the foreskin and glans penis).

  5. Viral sexual infections

  5.1. Genital herpes

  Genital herpes (HSV, HSV type 2) is one of the most common STDs. Most often, genital herpes develops as a result of infection with the herpes simplex virus type 2. Most patients are not aware that they have an infection.

  The virus is transmitted during unprotected sexual contact, regardless of whether the carrier has symptoms. After entering the body, the virus migrates along the nerve endings and can be in a "sleeping" state for a long time.

  When the patient's immune system is weakened, the virus migrates back to the skin and the symptoms of genital herpes develop: redness of the skin of the genitals, the appearance of small bubbles filled with a clear liquid.

  Such vesicles burst, a superficial ulcer forms, which heals within a few days. Rashes are painful, may be accompanied by an increase in body temperature, an increase in inguinal lymph nodes.

  

  Figure 4 - Rashes with genital herpes.

  5.2. Papillomaviruses

  Genital papillomas (HPV, HPV, papillomavirus infection) is a disease accompanied by the formation of growths (papillomas) on the skin of the genital organs. Throughout life, almost all people become infected with one of the subtypes of the human papillomavirus.

  Infection with HPV types 6 and 11 is not always accompanied by the appearance of papillomas. In women, papillomas occur more often than in men.

  They are small skin growths on a thin stalk, often skin-colored, soft in texture. Some subtypes of the virus (16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, etc.) can lead to the development of cervical cancer. HPV vaccines have been developed.

  

  Figure 5 - Genital papillomas.

  5.3. Hepatitis B

  Hepatitis B (HBV, HBV) is a viral lesion of the liver, accompanied by inflammation, death of hepatocytes, development of fibrosis. In addition to sexual contact, the hepatitis B virus can be transmitted through blood transfusion, hemodialysis, from mother to fetus, accidental injections with infected needles from syringes (more often among medical staff, drug addicts), tattooing, piercing using poorly sterilized materials.

  The disease can occur in an acute form, accompanied by impaired liver function of varying degrees (from mild to severe, including acute liver failure), the development of jaundice of the skin, general weakness, dark urine, nausea, and vomiting.

  In chronic hepatitis B, the liver tissue undergoes fibrosis. Infection increases the risk of developing liver cancer.

  5.4. HIV infection

  - a retrovirus that is transmitted sexually, parenterally (when the blood of an infected patient enters the blood of the recipient) and vertical (from mother to fetus) routes. After entering the human body, the virus mainly infects lymphocytes, leading to a decrease in their number and weakening of the immune system.

  Currently, when lifelong antiretroviral therapy is prescribed, the reproduction of the virus can be stopped, thereby maintaining the normal immune status of the patient.

  With an untimely start of treatment, refusal of therapy, the level of lymphocytes decreases significantly, and the likelihood of developing opportunistic diseases (infections that are extremely rarely recorded in people without impaired immune status) increases.

  6. The main symptoms of STDs

  In men	Among women
  	Pain, cutting in the urethra during urination
  Itching in the head, urethra	Itching in the vagina, urethra
  Increased urination	Increased urination
  	Enlarged inguinal lymph nodes
  	Pain in the rectum, discharge from the anus
  	Vaginal bleeding between periods
  	Pain, discomfort during sex

  Table 2 - Main symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases

  7. Diagnostics

  1. 1 If the symptoms described above appear, suspected STDs, casual unprotected sex, it is recommended to contact a urologist or venereologist, a woman is also recommended to contact a gynecologist. After the initial examination, the patient is sent for a series of examinations that allow to identify sexual infections and prescribe adequate treatment.
  2. 2 Initial examination by a doctor. In men, the scrotum, penis, penis head, and, if necessary, the rectum are examined. A gynecologist performs an external examination of the genital organs, examination of the vagina and cervix with mirrors.
  3. 3 During the initial examination, a smear can be taken from the urethra, vagina, followed by staining with dyes and microscopy.
  4. 4 Sowing a smear on nutrient media for cultivating the pathogen and determining its sensitivity to antibacterial drugs.
  5. 5 Direction of the smear material from the urethra / vagina for molecular genetic diagnosis (determination of the DNA of the main pathogens of STDs by PCR).
  6. 6 To establish some STDs (hepatitis B and C, HIV, syphilis, etc.), venous blood is taken and sent for serodiagnosis (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to determine antibodies to the causative agent of the disease), PCR diagnostics.

  

  Figure 6 - A sample of the results of determining the DNA of pathological microorganisms in a urethral swab by PCR (DNA of the main pathogens was not detected in a scraping from the urethra).

  8. Most common complications

  Due to the fact that most STDs are asymptomatic in the early stages, it is not uncommon for patients to see a doctor late. The most common complications of sexually transmitted diseases are:

  1. 1 Chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
  2. 2 Complications of pregnancy (miscarriage, premature birth, intrauterine growth retardation syndrome, infection of the newborn - pneumonia, conjunctivitis, etc.).
  3. 3 Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the outer shell of the eye).
  4. 4 Arthritis (inflammation of the joints).
  5. 5 Female and male infertility.
  6. 6

     In men	Among women
     Pain, cutting in the urethra during urination	Pain, cutting in the urethra during urination
     Itching in the head, urethra	Itching in the vagina, urethra
     Increased urination	Increased urination
     The appearance of discharge from the urethra (mucous, yellowish, green)	The appearance of discharge from the vagina
     Enlarged inguinal lymph nodes	Enlarged inguinal lymph nodes
     Swelling, pain in the scrotum, inflammation of the testicles	Vaginal bleeding between periods
     Pain in the rectum, discharge from the anus	Pain in the rectum, discharge from the anus
     The appearance of ulcers on the genitals	Vaginal bleeding between periods
     Redness of the head of the penis, the appearance of plaque on the head	Chronic pain in the lower abdomen
     Pain, discomfort during sex	Pain, discomfort during sex

(STI), do not belong to a specific gender and age group and do not depend on the social status of the patient. By their negligence, an absolutely normal person leading a relatively healthy lifestyle can become a victim of an STI.

STIs are illnesses that appear in the body as a result of unprotected intercourse. As medical practice shows, on average, up to three dozen infectious agents can be transmitted per act, the most common of which are ureaplasmas, gonococci, chlamydia and Trichomonas.

Disease of morality

You can call STI a disease of morality, which occurs with promiscuous relationships and elementary hygiene rules. Therefore, often many infected people do not go to clinical institutions if the disease occurs without particularly pronounced symptoms, and self-medicate. Although sometimes an infection may remain in the body and not be noticed at all, this in no way means that it does not cause any harm, because at the same time it is often chronic.

Causes of infection

As mentioned above, the main causes of infection lie in the very abbreviation of STIs, what it is was described earlier. However, infection occurs not only through sexual contact, but also with improper hygiene. Some sources call this path of the disease mythical, however, as practice shows, some bacteria are able to survive in the external environment for up to several hours without the support of a living organism.

In general, any neglect of hygiene products: the use of a common towel, linen - can lead to infection with STIs.

Some chronic STIs, such as HIV, can also be transmitted in utero from mother to child or through breastfeeding milk. In addition, viruses are modified over the years, and in modern practice there have been cases in which STI infection occurred by droplet, namely by kissing, as well as through blood and lymph.

Clinical picture

Often the symptoms of STIs occur locally, in places of direct infection. Therefore, the main signs that an infection has occurred include burning and itching during urination. In addition to such extremely unpleasant sensations, redness on the external genitalia or a white coating with swelling and blisters may appear. Characteristic substances may be excreted from the genital tract in the form of foam.

With the progression of infection in the human body, a few weeks after infection, there may be a pulling pain in the lower abdomen, the urge to urinate frequently. Sexual intercourse can be accompanied by unpleasant and sometimes painful sensations. With some types of STIs, the disease may be accompanied by a slight increase in body temperature, pain and aching muscles, and dark urine.

Sometimes infection is asymptomatic for the body, which is extremely dangerous - the patient does not have the opportunity to feel the changes and contact a clinical institution in a timely manner for medical care. As a result, this leads to disastrous consequences, accompanied by chronic diseases.

Varieties

A normal healthy person is unlikely to ever think about the types of STIs. The list of infections transmitted in a very pleasant way is amazing. In general, the most common infections can be divided according to the severity of the symptoms.

Classification by severity

Light degree:

Average degree:

• genital herpes (accompanied not only by difficulty urinating, but also by general malaise);
• papillomavirus (expressed by a painful rash in the genital area, accompanied by fever).

Severe degree:

• syphilis (remains in the body for a long time - up to 10 years, the rash spreads throughout the body);
• gonorrhea (infection affects most of the internal organs, there is a possibility of infection when swimming in public pools and visiting public toilets);
• HIV infection (currently incurable, extreme severity against the background of other STIs, the list of which was presented above).

STIs and women

STIs in women often proceed differently, therefore, speaking about the clinical picture of the disease in detail, it is necessary to separate female and male infections. For example, chlamydia in women is accompanied by frequent bleeding from the cervix, regardless of the menstrual cycle, painful urination, vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor, as well as pulling and cutting pains in the lower abdomen.

It should also be noted that such STIs in women, such as candidiasis, are not a terrible disease and occur in every second, in the people this disease is also commonly called thrush. But as for trichomoniasis, in women it is more painful and more severe than in men, accompanied by continuous itching in the genital area.

In general, women are more susceptible to STIs than men, and these diseases can turn into disastrous consequences, up to infertility.

Unlike the female body, the male body tolerates some infectious diseases more easily, but some, on the contrary, are more difficult. Here, for example, candidiasis, which is not particularly dangerous for women, in the body of a man manifests itself with much more deplorable symptoms: sexual intercourse when infected with candidiasis can cause unbearable acute pain. In addition, throughout the disease, the general unsatisfactory condition of the patient may be accompanied by itching and burning of the penis, and, of course, there is the main symptom of a fungal disease - a white coating on the penis.

For men, STIs - what is it? This is sometimes pain during intercourse, so there can be no joys of life during an illness. For example, trichomoniasis can even cause the development of prostatitis, like chlamydia. However, the latter does not have pronounced symptoms when it enters the male body. Therefore, sometimes it can proceed completely painlessly.

STIs and pregnancy

It's no secret that from the very first minutes of intrauterine development, the mother is fully responsible for the health of her baby. Therefore, STIs during pregnancy are not only a problem with the health of the mother, but also a great threat to the life of the unborn baby.

With such serious diseases as gonorrhea, a child can become infected through the placenta directly during the birth process, which is dangerous for girls by infection of the genital organs, and for boys by damage to the eyeballs, up to blindness. During pregnancy in a woman with syphilis, the infection can be transmitted to the fetus in utero, and the child is already born infected with the disease.

As for genital herpes and human papillomavirus, the risk of infection from mother to child during gestation and passage of the birth canal is extremely small, but this does not mean that it is absent, sometimes these diseases can provoke a miscarriage.

STIs in teenagers

The symptoms of STIs in adolescent patients are practically no different from the clinical picture in adults, but I would like to note that sexually transmitted infections in such a young and tender body are rather a social problem.

It just so happened that we live in a socially depraved society that completely excludes any, therefore, in the venereal departments of clinics, you can often meet 15-year-old girls and young people.

I would like to note that the consequences of STIs in adolescents can be extremely deplorable, therefore, after an infection, a child’s life will not be the same. Guys, as mentioned above, due to infection, prostatitis can develop, while girls can suffer from infertility. But, alas, the picture of the modern world and the striking statistics indicate that the growth in the number of teenagers is constantly increasing.

Diagnostics

It is pleasant to note that medicine does not stand still, and in recent years laboratory research has made a huge leap in its development. Therefore, at the moment it can be safely noted that now in modern clinics there is such an opportunity as an early examination for STIs. What does it mean?

Based on the patient's complaints, a series of smears of the vaginal microflora and an examination of the glans penis are prescribed, and then the latest technologies are used in studies on the structure of the DNA of the infected person and the reaction of the PC, as well as diagnostics using direct immunofluorescence methods.

Every person who suspects that they have such infections should understand that early testing for STIs is necessary, which can protect your body from undesirable consequences.

With especially severe degrees of diseases that can be transmitted not only sexually, it is prescribed for STIs without fail if syphilis, gonorrhea and HIV infection are suspected in the body. As a rule, several diagnostic methods in combination can give an exactly correct diagnosis.

Treatment

The next stage after the diagnosis of STIs is treatment, which is usually aimed at destroying the focus of the disease and completely removing the infection from the body. Thanks to the latest technologies in treatment, compared with the past decades, the course of taking antibacterial drugs and antibiotics has been reduced by three times and currently averages up to a week.

After active therapy, they move on to preventive measures: these can be physiotherapeutic methods of treatment, the introduction of vitamins both intramuscularly and orally, immunostimulating procedures are carried out.

Often, the symptoms of the disease do not go away for some time after the end of the course of treatment, which is associated with strong inflammatory processes in the body and its reaction to pathogens.

STI prevention

To prevent the occurrence of STI infection in the body, it is necessary to follow a number of preventive measures. Fallen noses, terrible abscesses on the skin - these are not episodes from a horror movie at all, with the wrong lifestyle, such passions can happen to everyone. One wrong step can cripple the life of an absolutely healthy person, regardless of his social status and position in society. Therefore, it is not enough to know the consequences of STIs, what it is, and how to treat it, it is also necessary to take all precautionary measures in order to avoid illness. So:

• try not to change sexual partners to randomness often, but still, if your lifestyle does not allow such luxury, then at least do not forget to use a condom;
• when using a public toilet, observe generally accepted hygiene standards (we hope you do not need to describe in detail which ones);
• if you decide to swim in a public pool - check with the administrators how the water is treated and whether it is processed for sanitary purposes;
• do not postpone visits to the doctor if you feel unpleasant changes in your body, for example, burning during urination, itching, pain in the abdomen, or if you notice an unusual rash on the external genitalia;
• once a year, with the prerequisites for the occurrence of STIs, undergo diagnostics and take tests for the presence of sexually transmitted diseases in the body;
• at home, in emergency cases, you can use antiseptic solutions for douching the vagina and washing the penis, but you should not get carried away with these procedures - they destroy the microflora of the genital mucosa.

So take your lifestyle seriously and be healthy!

STIs (sexually transmitted infections)- a group of diseases that are transmitted from person to person through sexual contact. They affect not only the genitals, but the entire body, and often lead to serious consequences.

STIs have been known to mankind since ancient times, but over time, the number of cases of infection does not decrease, but rather grows. As "familiar" infections are overcome, new ones appear. Almost everyone is at risk, regardless of gender and social status.

Modern medicine has about 30 infections that can be attributed to STIs. Most of them can be asymptomatic, and this makes them very dangerous for the health of various organs and systems.

Kinds

STDs are classified according to the pathogen. In total, there are 4 types of genital infections:

• bacterial;
• viral;
• fungal;
• protozoan.

Ways of transmission of STDs

STIs are spread sexually - vaginal, oral, or anal. The gender of a person does not matter - they can go from a man to a woman, from a woman to a man, from a man to another man, or from a woman to another woman.

Many sexually transmitted infections can be spread through any contact between the genitals, mouth, and anus, even if there is no penetration. For example, genital herpes is transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact - microdamages on its surface are enough for infection.

Some STIs are transmitted in other ways. For example, HIV and hepatitis B are transmitted through the sharing of injection needles and blood transfusions.

The use of barrier methods of contraception is not always a guarantee of safety. When using condoms for safer sex, it is important to follow the instructions on the packaging. Proper use of condoms makes them more effective. The following precautions must be observed:

• check the expiration date and integrity of the packaging;
• wear a condom before sex, not during it;
• use lubricant during intercourse with a condom;
• correctly remove and dispose of the condom;
• never take off the condom and try to put it back on;
• never reuse a condom.

Symptoms

There are seven main signs that point to an STI. If they are found, you should immediately consult a doctor: gynecologist or urologist. The doctor will conduct an initial examination and prescribe further tests and examinations.

The presence of an STI may be indicated by:

• rashes and redness in the intimate area;
• swollen lymph nodes.

There are quite a few sexually transmitted infections, and each of them manifests itself in different ways. To describe them, you need a whole medical reference book. Here we will consider only the most common STIs, which can affect every person on the planet, regardless of gender, age and social status.

Syphilis- an infectious disease that has been known to mankind since ancient times. The causative agent is a bacterium called pallidum spirochete. You can get syphilis through any sexual contact. The first symptoms appear 10 days after infection - a hard chancre occurs on the genitals or perineum (less often on other parts of the body). Over time, similar rashes appear in the oral cavity and on the fingers. There is a significant increase in lymph nodes, especially inguinal and cervical.

In total, there are three stages of syphilis. In the absence of timely treatment, the disease can become more severe. As a result, ulcers spread throughout the body, including the mucous membranes. The patient is concerned about inflammatory processes, headaches, aching bones, deterioration in general well-being. In the third stage, meningitis can occur - inflammation of the membranes of the brain. Complications of syphilis can lead to paralysis and even death.

Chlamydia is one of the most insidious sexually transmitted diseases. Most people in the early stages of the disease have virtually no symptoms. In women, they are less noticeable than in men, and may not appear at all. However, chlamydia is one of the main causes that leads to ectopic pregnancy, inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs and female infertility.

In male patients, chlamydia presents with a number of characteristic symptoms. They are disturbed by cutting pain during ejaculation and urination. This is due to inflammation of the epididymis and urethra caused by bacteria.

Gonorrhea - another fairly common STI, especially among people aged 15 to 24 years. Like chlamydia, it can be spread through oral, vaginal, or anal contact. And just like with chlamydia, most infected women do not notice any symptoms in the early stages. However, in men, gonorrhea appears almost immediately. Patients are concerned about purulent discharge from the urethra, painful and frequent urination, discomfort in the anus.

In the absence of timely treatment of gonorrhea, complications arise. Women experience spotting after sex and cutting pain during it, the body temperature rises and the general condition of the body worsens. Gonorrhea at any stage requires prompt and effective treatment.

Trichomoniasis- a bacterial infection caused by Trichomonas vaginalis. At first, the disease does not show itself. The first symptoms appear about two weeks after infection. Men feel a burning sensation in the urethra, discharge from the penis may appear.

In women, trichomoniasis is more pronounced. Patients are concerned about pain during intercourse, which is due to inflammation of the mucous membranes of the genital organs. One of the characteristic symptoms is a thick yellow-green discharge from the vagina with an unpleasant odor.

Genital herpes- a viral disease with an extremely high susceptibility. It is transmitted not only through sexual intercourse, but also through skin-to-skin contact. The causative agent is herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). A day after infection, small bubbles appear on the external genitalia. They are accompanied by itching and slight tingling. In the next few days, the vesicles turn into painful sores, fever and swollen lymph nodes are observed.

Rashes are only the visible part of the disease. Even after their disappearance, the herpes virus remains in the body for life. The lack of treatment in pregnant women can lead to serious complications, up to the death of the fetus.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)- Sexually transmitted viruses. HPV types 16 and 18 are one of the main causes of cervical cancer in women. Regardless of gender, the disease manifests itself in the same way - in the form of small warts in the perineum and anus. In men, they can hide behind the foreskin and in the urethra. Asymptomatic course of the disease is not excluded. In this case, the presence of infection can be found out only with the help of special tests.

Ureaplasmosis- a disease that is prone to a chronic course. The causative agent is a single-celled microorganism called ureaplasma. Modern medicine classifies it as a conditionally pathogenic flora. This means that a small amount of ureaplasma is also present in a healthy person. The disease begins when the microbes become active and multiply rapidly, thereby crowding out the healthy microflora.

The first symptoms appear after 14-20 days. Patients have inflammation of the genitourinary system, burning during urination, cloudy discharge from the vagina. Women may be bothered by pain in the lower abdomen and cervicitis. Over time, the disease becomes chronic, which entails many complications:

• stricture (narrowing) of the urethra;
• cystitis, etc.

Untimely treatment of infection often leads to infertility, missed pregnancy and premature birth.

Mycoplasmosis - like ureaplasmosis, it is caused by conditionally pathogenic microorganisms that can be in the body of a healthy person in a "sleeping" state. However, sometimes mycoplasmas provoke a number of diseases of the genitourinary system. In women, they are manifested by pulling pains in the lower abdomen, burning during urination and pain during sexual intercourse.

HIV or human immunodeficiency virus - the most dangerous sexually transmitted disease. HIV makes itself felt far from immediately - the incubation period of the disease lasts from 21 to 90 days. Symptoms occur only at the stage of manifestation of the infectious process.

Patients complain of inflammation of the lymph nodes, chronic weakness, headaches and loss of appetite. A characteristic symptom of HIV is inflammation of the palatine tonsils (tonsillitis), which does not go away for a long time. In patients, the body temperature rises to 37-37.5 degrees, while it is not possible to normalize it with the help of antipyretics.

The absence of antiretroviral therapy has an extremely negative effect on the patient's condition. The body is attacked by all kinds of viral and bacterial diseases: pneumonia, herpes, tuberculosis, candidiasis. As a result, AIDS develops.

Diagnostics

There are a lot of pathogens that are included in the STI group. Modern medicine offers many diagnostic methods with which you can detect them and prescribe an effective treatment regimen. Conventionally, they can be divided into several groups:

• microscopic methods;
• cultural methods or crops;
• DNA diagnostics.

After detecting symptoms that indicate the presence of a sexual infection, you should immediately consult a doctor. Women should make an appointment with a gynecologist, male patients with a urologist. If there are clear signs of a sexually transmitted disease (chancres or other rashes on the genitals), you need to go to a venereologist.

Despite the extensive choice of diagnostic methods, an accurate laboratory method does not yet exist. If STIs are suspected, one method cannot be dispensed with - most often they are used in combination for the most reliable result. Often the diagnosis takes a lot of time on the part of the patient.

The first thing a person who is concerned about the symptoms of a sexual infection should do is to take a smear for microflora. This is a standard procedure, which is also performed during a routine examination by a gynecologist or urologist. In men, a swab is taken from the urethra, in women - from the vagina and urethra.

The simplest methods also include bacterial culture. The doctor takes a certain amount of genital secretion for analysis. The taken material is placed in a nutrient medium that promotes the rapid reproduction of bacteria: both “correct” and pathogenic.

In addition to microbiological analysis, if necessary, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is prescribed. With it, you can identify antibodies with which the body fights STIs. For some diseases that affect the entire body (syphilis, HIV), a blood test is performed (HIV determination and Wasserman reaction).

The most accurate diagnostic method is PCR (polymerase chain reaction). It allows you to identify hidden diseases characterized by an asymptomatic course. The infection is detected by DNA testing. This method is effective for suspected HPV and other diseases that can be in the body in a “sleeping” state for a long time.

In addition to examining highly specialized specialists, patients with STIs may sometimes need the help of other doctors. Some diseases affect not only the genitourinary system, but also other organs. This applies to infections such as:

• syphilis;
• HPV, herpes, etc.

They can affect vision, joints, skin, circulatory system, anus. Depending on the type of complications, it is necessary to contact an immunologist, proctologist, dermatologist, infectious disease specialist and other specialists.

It is important to remember that in the case of STIs, only a doctor can make a diagnosis. Many diseases have almost identical symptoms, so self-medication can only aggravate the situation and lead to dangerous complications.

Treatment

Treatment of STIs implies an individual and comprehensive approach to each patient. The main treatments include the following therapies:

• antibacterial;
• immunostimulating;
• antiviral;
• physiotherapy;
• vitamin therapy.

Effective treatment is impossible without a combination of several of its types. It should be aimed at correcting the state of the whole organism, and not just the genitals. Local treatment gives only a short-term result and, as a rule, does not get rid of the infection by 100%.

A stable therapeutic effect can be achieved with the help of complex drug therapy. In this case, local antibacterial agents (candles, creams, gels or ointments) and oral medications for oral administration are prescribed. Sometimes invasive treatments such as injections or drips may be needed.

Before taking any medication, it is necessary to pass tests for susceptibility to antibiotics. Modern pharmacology offers a huge selection of antibiotics against STIs of various forms of release and price category. But not all of them are equally effective - it is necessary to select drugs based on individual factors. Therefore, it is absolutely impossible to self-medicate.

Properly selected treatment with antibiotics and antiviral drugs lasts from 7 to 10 days. In the case when the disease takes a chronic form, therapy is extended to 21 days. As a rule, at the time of treatment, the patient is shown sexual rest. Sometimes a second course of therapy may be prescribed, but the treatment regimen changes.

Both partners must be treated, otherwise re-infection cannot be avoided. Do not be shy about sexually transmitted diseases - it is easy to get infected with them and every person who is sexually active is at risk. The main method of prevention is trusting sexual relations, the rejection of promiscuity and the use of barrier contraception. Even after a complete cure, it is necessary to pass a control smear and undergo regular examinations.

Sexually transmitted infections are a group of sexually transmitted diseases, the main route of transmission of which is unprotected sexual contact. STDs are clinically heterogeneous nosological units that are highly contagious, that is, infectious, and therefore carry a direct danger to human health.

What infections are sexually transmitted

The World Health Organization classifies STDs as follows::

1. Common sexually transmitted infections

• lymphogranulomatosis (inguinal form);
• granuloma of the venereal type.

1. Other STDs:

• that affect mainly the organs of the reproductive system:

1. urogenital shigellosis (occurs in persons with homosexual sexual intercourse);
2. trichomoniasis;
3. candidal lesions of the genital organs, manifested by balanoposthitis and vulvovaginitis;
4. gardnerellosis;
5. scabies;
6. flatheads (pubic pediculosis);
7. molluscum contagiosum.

• that affect mainly other organs and systems:

1. sepsis of newborns;
2. lamblia;
3. AIDS;
4. amoebiasis (typical for persons with homosexual contacts).

The main difference of any STD representative is its high susceptibility to changes in environmental conditions. For infection, there must be direct contact of a sick person with a healthy person, and in some cases this is not necessarily sexual intercourse, household contact will be enough, as, for example, in the case of a viral disease. The danger increases in the presence of defects in the integrity of the mucous membranes and skin, which are the entry gates for any infection. The risk of contracting STDs increases significantly through anal intercourse, the use of common personal hygiene products and sexual toys. note: almost all viral and bacterial sexually transmitted diseases penetrate the placental barrier, that is, they are transmitted to the fetus in utero and disrupt its physiological development. Sometimes the consequences of such infection appear only a few years after the birth of a child in the form of dysfunction of the heart, liver, kidneys, developmental disorders. Regarding the type of pathogen, venereal diseases are:

There are the following reasons that contribute to the spread of STDs:

• very close household contacts;
• unprotected sex, which also includes anal and oral;
• use of shared towels;
• non-observance of the necessary rules for the sterilization of instruments (diseases are transmitted through contaminated instruments in medical, dental, cosmetology institutions, as well as in manicure and tattoo parlors);
• procedure for transfusion of blood and its elements;
• parenteral administration of drugs;
• transplantation of organs and tissues.

STDs: symptoms

The clinical picture of sexually transmitted diseases is slightly different, but, in general, there are a number of signs that are characteristic of almost each of them:

• excessive weakness;
• purulent or mucous discharge from the urethra;
• cloudy urine;
• burning and itching in the genital area;
• enlarged lymph nodes in the groin;
• discomfort during intercourse and urination;
• ulcers and ulcers in the groin, on the external genitalia;

In other organs, symptoms may appear depending on the type of infection in which other systems are affected. For example, the liver suffers from hepatitis, the bones are affected in the last stages of syphilis, the joints can be affected by chlamydia.

Symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases in women

The presence of certain symptoms of STDs in women is explained by the peculiarities of their physiology. The following signs should alert a woman and become a reason for an extraordinary visit to the gynecologist:

• pain and dryness during sex;
• single or group enlargement of lymph nodes;
• dysmenorrhea (violations of the normal menstrual cycle);
• pain and discharge from the anus;
• itching in the perineum;
• anus irritation;
• rash on the labia or around the anus, mouth, body;
• atypical vaginal discharge (green, frothy, odorous, bloody);
• frequent painful urge to urinate;
• swelling of the vulva.

Sexually transmitted diseases in men: symptoms

You can suspect an STD in men by the following signs:

• blood in semen;
• frequent and painful urge to urinate;
• low-grade fever (not with all diseases);
• problems with normal ejaculation;
• pain in the scrotum;
• discharge from the urethra (white, purulent, mucous, with a smell);
• rash of various kinds on the head of the penis, the penis itself, around it.

Important: Most venereal pathologies are asymptomatic. It is very important to seek medical help immediately after the onset of the first symptoms in order to prevent progression and the addition of complications.

Diagnostics

If there are any suspicious signs from the genitals, especially after unprotected sexual contact, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. Self-medication in this case is fraught with complications and serious consequences. Sometimes the symptoms of STDs disappear some time after the onset, and the patient thinks that he is healthy and everything went away by itself. But this only means that the disease has passed into a latent, that is, latent form, and continues to circulate in the body. Important: if suspicious symptoms are found, it is imperative to notify your sexual partner and undergo an examination with him andget tested for STDs. The diagnostic scheme includes such items:

• Interview. The doctor collects a detailed history of the disease from the patient, he asks about complaints, the duration of their appearance and severity. Usually, a patient who has already turned to a doctor has various elements (ulcers, rashes, erosions) on the skin and mucous membranes of the genital organs, pain, burning, itching during urination. It is also important to find out the number of sexual partners, previous sexually transmitted diseases, contraceptive methods used, whether there were unprotected sexual contacts. A woman undergoes a mandatory gynecological examination, and a urological examination for a man, during which the specialist detects objective symptoms of STDs. If necessary, it is also possible to consult a dermatovenereologist.
• Laboratory research. They are the basis for confirming the diagnosis. An analysis for sexually transmitted infections involves examining the patient's blood and other body fluids.

In particular, the following diagnostic methods are used:

Treatment of sexually transmitted infections

Appropriate therapy is always prescribed only by the attending physician based on the results of the tests. Depending on the identified pathogen, a treatment regimen is drawn up.
Most diseases are successfully treated, but there are some that are considered incurable.:

• hepatitis C;
• herpes 1 and 2 types;

At the same time, supportive therapy allows you to remove the symptoms and alleviate the patient's condition. Among the medicines prescribed by a doctor, the following groups of drugs can be used:

• to activate the body's immune response;
• antiviral, allowing to accelerate remission when the viral infection enters the latent phase;
• hepatoprotectors are used to support the liver in its severe lesions;
• cardiac glycosides support the work of the heart muscle;
• vitamin-mineral complexes are part of general strengthening therapy;

List of STI infections in women, how they take tests, the first signs

• Smearon microflora. With a special probe, a woman takes a sample of secretions from 3 points of the genital canal. Next, the material is placed on glass, stained with a special acid medium for a detailed study of the composition of the secretion, and carefully examined under a microscope. This method reveals the causative agent of fungal and bacterial origin. Viruses with a swab from the genitals are not detected.
• Seeding secretions. The seeding procedure is carried out in a bacteriological laboratory, it takes a long time (about a week). The result of this examination unmistakably indicates the presence of any disease.
• PCR (polymerase chain reaction). One of the most informative analyzes that allows you to accurately confirm the preliminary diagnosis. To perform it or pass a test for a DNA pathogen, a sample of secretions from the genital canals or urine is taken. The duration of the study by this method does not exceed two days, the accuracy of the analysis is up to 95%.
• ELISA - decoding (linked immunosorbent assay). If a woman has purulent inflammation, experts prescribe an ELISA. A sample of discharge taken from the vagina is subjected to study. The study is carried out quite quickly, its result is ready after 5-6 hours after taking the sample.
• Blood analysis. To determine specific antibodies, a venous blood test is prescribed. The purpose of such a study is to establish whether an immune response will occur to the presence of a particular pathogen. This method is effective when it is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of viral origin (genital herpes, HIV) and syphilis. The method is not used to diagnose bacterial infections, including chlamydia.

In addition to the above tests, the venereologist prescribes a clinical and biochemical blood test, which allows you to detect an increase in ESR and leukocytosis. Not all sexually transmitted infections in women can be treated, for example, human papillomavirus infection and genital herpes can only be stopped.

The need for long-term treatment of these diseases and a wide range of complications should be the motivation for a timely visit to the doctor.

Treatment

A number of causative agents of sexually transmitted diseases are quite well treatable with modern drugs, however, it is recommended to start treatment as early as possible, until serious inflammatory processes begin.

Appropriate STI therapy is prescribed according to a special scheme only by the attending physician based on the results of the examination. Depending on the pathogen, complex treatment is used, since the complex course of such diseases requires the use of not only drug therapy.

Most venereal diseases are successfully treated, but today there are those that are incurable:

• herpes of the 1st and 2nd type;
• hepatitis C;

Supportive therapy helps to remove the symptoms of even such serious ailments and significantly alleviate the patient's condition. Among the drugs prescribed by a specialist, the following groups of drugs can be used:

Important! In order to avoid relapse after the end of the course of treatment for STIs, a woman should retake all tests. This will ensure that the disease is cured.

Complications and consequences

Late treatment of sexually transmitted diseases in women or its complete absence, as well as self-medication, causes such serious complications:

• the transition of the disease to the chronic stage;
• the spread of infection throughout the body;
• infertility;
• development of cancer of the cervix, rectum, etc.

Prevention

Any disease is much easier to prevent than to cure, and diseases included in the list of STIs are no exception. You can protect yourself from these ailments in the following ways:

• using a condom protects against many infections;
• by avoiding contact with people at risk (alcoholics, drug addicts, etc.), many risks can be avoided;
• You can engage in non-traditional forms of sex (anal, oral) only with a partner with whom there is a trusting relationship and whose health there is no reason to doubt.

The additional use of special medications can help in some cases to cope with certain types of infection. However, these drugs have contraindications and side effects. They should be used occasionally, for example, at the first contact with a partner as an additional protection along with a condom.

Venereal diseases are transmitted in most cases sexually. It is important to remember: unprotected sex, promiscuity and a sick partner are a big risk of contracting such ailments. Diagnosis of such diseases is somewhat difficult due to the late onset of the disease and the scarcity of symptoms. Their treatment is problematic, since the resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics is increasing every year.

STIs have severe complications, so the appearance of specific symptoms: rashes, discomfort, irritation, uncharacteristic discharge from the genitals is a signal to see a doctor.