Chlamydia
What is chlamydia? Chlamydia is the most commonly reported STD, infecting more than one million Americans each year.
What are the symptoms of chlamydia? Called the silent STD, chlamydia infections usually cause no symptoms. Some women will experience abnormal discharge or burning while urinating. The infection can spread to the reproductive organs and eventually cause infertility. Men may experience a penile discharge, burning during urination or swollen testicles.
How is chlamydia treated? Urine tests can determine the presence of chlamydia, which is easily treatable with antibiotics.
Gonorrhea
What is gonorrhea? Gonorrhea is a common bacterial infection of the mucus membranes that affects more than 700,000 Americans each year.
What are the symptoms of gonorrhea? Most people who catch gonorrhea don't develop symptoms. When they occur, symptoms can include burning during urination or an unusual discharge from the vagina or penis. Women can develop pelvic inflammatory disease if gonorrhea is not treated.
How is gonorrhea treated? If lab tests confirm gonorrhea, it can be treated with a series of antibiotics.
Syphilis
What is syphilis? Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is passed through direct contact with a sore on the genitals, rectum or mouth during sex. More than 35,000 new cases are reported each year.
What are the symptoms of syphilis? Syphilis symptoms can mimic those of many other diseases, making it hard to diagnose. The initial symptom is usually a small, firm and painless sore. Secondary symptoms include skin rashes and lesions. In rare cases of people who are not treated, syphilis can cause paralysis, blindness and death.
How is syphilis treated? If caught within a year of infection, syphilis can be cured with a shot of penicillin. More lengthy cases will need further rounds of antibiotics.
HIV
What is HIV? HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus, can be spread through unsafe sex and sharing needles. HIV can develop into AIDS, acquired immune deficiency syndrome. More than 50,000 people nationwide contract HIV each year.
What are the symptoms of HIV? Since symptoms may not develop for up to 10 years after infection, testing is the best way to find out if someone has HIV.
How is HIV treated? There is no cure for HIV, but there are multiple drugs available that can stall the virus' progression and reduce its presence in the blood.
SOURCES: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services; U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Related links
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