5 five Most Dangerous STDs

Contracting a sexually transmitted disease is not a nice experience in any way. It can be tricky morally if you need to report it to your partner, it can be demanding financially when it comes to treatment. But most importantly, it can lead to serious health issues and in worst scenarios, death. That is why it is extremely important to do your best in preventing the diseases.
Moderation in sexual contacts, preferably having safe monogamous relation, using condoms, disposing needles after single use when taking drugs and regular medical tests are general guidelines that will help you drastically reduce the risk of contracting a STD. Here is the list of the most dangerous diseases transmitted sexually.

1. Chlamydia

Although not the most dangerous sexually transmitted disease in general, Chlamydia is one of the most widespread infections and can lead to serious consequences if not treated properly.
Anybody who practices unprotected sex can contract the infection as it is transmitted during vaginal, anal and oral contacts. However, if men act more as contractors and usually do not have any specific symptoms, women are likely to suffer from Chlamydia effects.

 

The primary symptoms of chlamydia are abnormal vaginal discharge and pain while urinating. If you observe any of those or other uncommon sensations, do not hesitate to visit your doctor and pass all the required tests. If not treated timely and properly, Chlamydia can damage reproductive system, jeopardizing the ability to get pregnant. The infection can affect the uterus and fallopian tubes or cause pelvic inflammatory disease. Like other sexually transmitted diseases, Chlamydia can be prevented by using condoms and reducing the number of sexual partners.

2. Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a common disease, transmitted during sexual intercourse, including vaginal, anal and oral contacts. It is most popular among young people, aged 15 to 24, and can cause various genital, rectal and throat infections.
Gonorrhea has few symptoms which sometimes makes it difficult to diagnose the disease. Men may experience burning while urinating, white or yellow discharge from penis, pain in the testicles. Most women experience no symptoms at all, or may have mild painful sensations while urinating, as well as increased vaginal discharge.

 

Gonorrhea can also cause rectal infections, accompanied by anal itching, sores, discharge or bleeding. The infection should be treated immediately otherwise it can develop serious consequences, especially in women, such as obstructing the fallopian tubes, infertility and ectopic pregnancy. Men can develop painful sensations in the testicles and, in rare cases, inability to father a child. Gonorrhea is successfully treated with antibiotics, but it is important to locate the disease on early stages.

3. Hepatitis

Hepatitis B and C are considered to be sexually transmitted diseases that lead to liver inflammation and, in serious cases, to death.
The infection is quite similar to HIV virus as long as transmission is concerned. It is usually contracted via body fluids or blood, so you can easily obtain the disease while having unprotected sex with an infected person or sharing the needles while making any injections.

 

Once Hepatitis is contracted, the first symptoms can include general sickness, nausea, vomiting, fever and dark-colored urine. The disease can then become chronic and have no visible effects. In serious cases Hepatitis develops into cirrhosis and can lead to liver cancer. In many countries Hepatitis vaccines have become routine practice for children and they have a close to perfect prevention record. People who have not been vaccinated, gay couples, drug users and people sharing living space with infected persons are under elevated risk.

4. Syphilis

Unless treated timely and properly Syphilis can cause serious complications and, eventually, death. Combined with the fact that the infection is hard to diagnose, it makes Syphilis one of the most dangerous diseases transmitted sexually.
Caused by Treponema Pallidum bacterium, the infection is normally contracted from the sores of an infected person during sexual intercourse, including anal, vaginal and oral sex. Syphilis is often called ‘a great imitator’ as is hard to distinguish from other STDs. The primary symptoms are typically not abundant and may look like small sores, minor cuts or bumps, normally appearing on genitals or mouth.

 

The secondary stage involves non-itchy body rash on palms, feet or other parts of the body. The third stage, also known as latent, can develop during many years. Most symptoms go away but the infection may start developing complications, damaging different body functions. Mental and neurological problems, heart diseases, blindness and eventually death are the most common possible consequences. There is also high risk of transmitting Syphilisto new-born children from an infected mother. Like most other sexually transmitted diseases, Syphilis is best prevented by abstaining from casual sexual contacts and using condoms. Even if you follow these simple guidelines, do not hesitate to have your blood tested every now and then to make sure you are free from STDs.

5. HIV/AIDS

HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is undoubtedly the most dangerous sexually transmitted disease. Leading to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), the virus is incurable and results in severe damage to immune system and, eventually, death.
The virus itself is not lethal, however, it affects the immune system to the point that the body is unable to resist even minor infections and illnesses. The virus can be contracted via such body fluids as blood, vaginal and rectal fluids, semen, pre-semen fluid and breast milk. It is not passed through saliva or sweat. HIV is typically transmitted through sexual contacts, making it a STD, and via multi-person drug injections. Anal intercourse is the highest-risk sexual contact, which makes gay couples particularly susceptible to the virus. Vaginal sex comes next.

 

HIV can also be transmitted through oral sex, but only if one of the persons involved has mouth sores or cuts, or ejaculation takes place. In rare cases the virus can be contracted via deep kissing, bleeding wounds or cuts, bites, and from infected mother to newborn children. Another common way of contracting the disease is sharing needles while taking drugs or during other medical procedures, if one of the persons involved is infected.
Despite its grave consequences, HIV can be prevented relatively easy. It is usually enough to use condoms during sex and not share needles while taking drugs to prevent HIV transmission. Having a limited number of sexual partners and trusting them plays a huge part in staying healthy, too. Do STD testing every now and then. Even if you catch the disease, the earlier you find out — the more chances you will have.