Sexually transmitted infections: list, symptoms, treatment and prevention

2024 Author: Curtis Blomfield | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 20:44

Infectious diseases that occur as a result of unprotected sexual contact are united in a single group called sexually transmitted diseases or STIs. As a rule, such pathologies have several ways of transmission between people. According to medical research, the list of sexually transmitted infections includes more than 30 different pathogenic microorganisms that can infect a person during various types of sexual intercourse with a partner - during anal, oral or vaginal contact. Eight types of viruses are classified as the most common, they are: gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, chlamydia, syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, herpes and HPV, some of which are considered incurable.

The following will be a kind of presentation of sexually transmitted infections.

Classification

By the type of pathogen, such pathologies are conventionally divided into 5 main groups:

1. Bacterial.
2. Protozoan.
3. Viral.
4. Parasitic.
5. Fungal.

Sexually transmitted infections that can be triggered by bacterial microflora include:

1. Syphilis.
2. Chlamydia.
3. Gonorrhea.
4. Inguinal granuloma.
5. Soft chancre.
6. Mycoplasmosis.
7. Ureaplasmosis.

There are also latent sexually transmitted infections. Viral diseases include:

1. HIV
2. Human papillomavirus.
3. Herpes virus type 2.
4. Molluscum contagiosum.
5. Cytomegalovirus.

Illnesses caused by protozoal infection include chlamydia and trichomoniasis, while a fungal infection can trigger candidiasis.

Sexually transmitted parasitic infections include pediculosis pubis, scabies, etc.

Syphilis

This disease develops, as a rule, very rapidly and can affect almost all organs and systems of the body. The causative agent in this case is pale treponema. The main route of transmission of this infection is sexual, and in rare cases - parenteral and contact. From the moment of infection with a similar type of sexual infection until the first signs appear, about 3 weeks pass. In the place where the infection has entered the body, a so-called hard chancre is formed, which is an ulcer of the correct round shape, with even elastic edges. This is the first symptom of a sexually transmitted infection.by way called syphilis.

Localization of a hard chancre can be very different: in the area of the external genitalia, on the fingers, on the tonsils, etc. Lymph nodes, which are located near the primary formation, begin to increase, becoming very dense. However, on palpation, they are painless and mobile, and there is no local increase in temperature in their areas. These chancres disappear after about a month, when regional lymphadenitis disappears. From this moment, the development of various skin manifestations begins, which are a pale pink rash in the form of small subcutaneous hemorrhages. There are also signs of general chronic intoxication, manifested by weakness, an increase in subfebrile temperature and lack of appetite. After about 2 weeks, these symptoms gradually disappear, and the majority of patients develop the stage of asymptomatic carriage of the infection.

Possible Complications

However, in the absence of adequate antibiotic therapy, very serious complications may develop, which include:

1. Syphilitic aortitis or endarteritis, which is a bacterial lesion of the aorta or other large vessels.
2. Bone and muscle damage.
3. Brain damage.

Mycoplasmosis

Microorganisms that can cause urogenital mycoplasmosis are Mycoplasma hominis and genitalium viruses. These are opportunistic pathogensdeveloping this pathology only with a decrease in local immunity. Many experts do not include such a disease in the list of STIs due to its high prevalence and the body's ability to heal itself. Clinical symptoms of mycoplasmosis in men and women differ significantly. In men, a sexually transmitted infection presents with the following symptoms:

1. Urethritis, which is an inflammatory process in the urethra.
2. Epididymitis is an inflammatory process that occurs in the appendages of the testes.
3. Orchitis.
4. Prostatitis.

Despite the fact that prostatitis can be triggered by any infection of the genital area in men, the participation of mycoplasmas in the development of this disease has not been proven.

Symptoms of mycoplasmosis in women:

1. Cystitis.
2. Urethritis.
3. Cervicitis.
4. Colpitis.
5. Salpingoophoritis.
6. Pelvioperitonitis.

Chlamydia

This pathology is a disease that is considered one of the most common among sexually transmitted infections, exceeding the incidence of syphilis and gonorrhea. According to medical research, more than 80 million people worldwide suffer from this infection every year. Chlamydia is considered a socially significant infection, since such a high incidence rate is due to delayed diagnosis due to the absence of symptoms. This pathology leads to the development of infertility.

The microorganism that causes chlamydia is believed to be Chlamydia trachomatis. This bacterium belongs to Gram-negative microorganisms that have an intracellular development cycle. Sources of infection can be infected people who practice promiscuity, as well as those who do not use barrier methods of contraception. There are known sexual and non-sexual routes of infection with this sexually transmitted infection in women, but the former is much more common. Transmission of chlamydia can also occur from an affected mother to her child during childbirth. With chlamydia, infection of the genitourinary system is primarily observed. However, cases of infection are known in the form of inflammation of the rectum, eyes, posterior nasopharyngeal wall, immune defense cells or joints.

The symptoms of this disease in men and women manifest themselves differently. In men, urethritis most often develops, which has an acute or subacute course and the presence of slight discharge of pus from the urethra, as well as very painful and difficult urination. Urethritis in some cases can be asymptomatic, which often leads to protracted forms of the disease, which entails complex and severe complications. In more rare cases, men experience damage to the prostate and epididymis, which manifests itself in the form of prostatitis, as well as epididymitis. The chronic course of prostatitis can manifest itself in the form of discomfort in the perineum, urinary retention, frequent urination, especially at night, reduced potency, impossibility of orgasm. Diseases such as epididymitisoccurs, as a rule, suddenly, with a high temperature of up to 40 degrees and acute pain in the testicles. Swelling of the scrotum is formed, which also leads to severe pain. After a few days, the symptoms of this pathology can completely disappear even without treatment. Chlamydia is the most common cause of male infertility.

Where to get tested for sexually transmitted infections? More on that below.

In women, this disease is characterized by an asymptomatic course, but this is observed only until certain complications occur, which manifest themselves in the form of inflammation of the organs in the pelvic area. Signs of such complications can be soreness and discomfort in the genital area, discharge from the vagina of a mucous or purulent nature, fever up to 39 degrees, serious disruptions in the menstrual cycle, pulling pain in the lower abdomen. Chlamydia in the female version also manifests itself in the form of bartholinitis, endocervicitis, endometritis, salpingitis and pelvioperitonitis. If left untreated, this pathology becomes chronic, which causes infertility and a risk factor for the occurrence of malignant tumors of the genital area.

Gonorrhea

The disease also has a high social significance, since recently there has been an increase in the incidence and a change in the age group of patients towards rejuvenation. This situation is associated with the prevalence of infection, which becomes immune to certain types of antibiotics due to their uncontrolled use.

The causative agent of the pathological process is the microorganism Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which belongs to Gram-negative cocci of the intracellular type. People are the source of infection. In addition to the sexual route of infection, there is a small percentage of indirect infection, for example, through shared hygiene items, bedding, etc. Newborns receive this infection at birth from their mother.

Gonorrhea in men is characterized by the occurrence of acute urethritis and proceeds in the form of painful sensations during urination with abundant pus. About a week after receiving the infection, the symptoms may disappear even without the implementation of therapeutic measures. However, it is not a cure for this disease, as many people believe. This phenomenon is due to the transition of the pathological process into a chronic form, which has a protracted course with frequent periods of exacerbation. Urethritis provoked by gonorrhea in men leads to complications such as morganitis, tysonitis, colliculitis, lymphangitis, cooperitis, lymphadenitis, epididymitis, paraurethritis. These diseases have specific features in terms of the localization of the pain syndrome, but they are united by an acute period of occurrence in the form of an increase in body temperature to high numbers and severe pain at the sites of inflammation. If the disease is not treated in time, it often leads to impotence.

In women, the disease does not have a bright clinical picture. Symptoms usually appear after the developmenta variety of complications. For female gonorrhea, the occurrence of a multifocal pathological process is characteristic. Gonorrhea of the lower genitourinary sections is distinguished, which is presented in the form of urethritis, vaginitis, endocervicitis and bartholinitis. These inflammatory processes can manifest themselves in the form of symptoms such as burning pain during urination, separation of pus from the genital tract, redness of the mucous membranes of the genitals, pain during sexual intercourse. Varieties of ascending gonorrhea include: salpingitis, endometritis and pelvioperitonitis. These pathologies are manifested by cramping and pulling pains in the lower abdomen, painful menstruation, cycle disorders, mucous or purulent discharge from the vagina and urethra, and a rise in subfebrile temperature. Prevention of sexually transmitted infections is very important.

Genital herpes

Clinical signs of this disease are specific symptoms that allow you to immediately determine its nature and begin treatment of such an STI. Herpetic infection is very widespread and, if untreated, leads to infertility. The causative agents of genital herpes are two types of viruses - HSV1 and HSV2, and the source of infection is a sick person or a virus carrier. As a rule, the herpes virus of the first type affects the face, and the second type is able to affect the urogenital organs. Infection of the genitals with the first type of herpes and vice versa can occur during orogenital sexual intercourse. It can be transmitted through sexual or contact contact. Infection of the fetus comes from a sick motherduring childbirth. The occurrence of this pathology during pregnancy often becomes the main cause of spontaneous miscarriages.

This disease manifests itself very specifically, and the clinical signs in men and women are approximately the same. In the genital area, the formation of small bubbles containing a clear liquid begins. They mature, then burst, leaving small areas of ulceration. This is accompanied by pain, itching and fever. This is followed by the development of herpetic urethritis and lymphadenitis with painful urination and thick discharge from the urethra.

What other sexually transmitted infections?

HPV

Condylomas and warts are caused by HPV, the papilloma virus. The disease is the main factor in the occurrence of oncological pathologies in the genital area, however, the bulk of the world's population is carriers of this virus.

There are many ways of transmission of this infection. When genital warts occur, sexual transmission is observed. The source of infection in this case is a virus carrier without clinical symptoms or a directly sick person.

This disease occurs, as a rule, hidden and painless for a very long period. With the development of disorders in the immune defense system, this virus is activated. The disease is characterized by the formation of warts and papillomas on the patient's body, of very different localization. Human papillomavirus is consideredleading cause of cervical cancer, and occurs in almost 40% of infected women.

Also, HIV infection is transmitted sexually. It can be obtained through blood transfusions and blood products, in the prenatal period, during childbirth or while breastfeeding. But still, vaginal and anal sex is the most common route of transmission worldwide. You can also become infected during oral sex. Kissing is most often safe. Other STDs, traumatic sexual intercourse, uncircumcised males, vaginosis, intercourse during menstruation, and oral contraceptives increase the risk of contracting HIV through sexual intercourse. Moreover, transmission occurs more often from a man to a woman than vice versa. Condoms and other barrier methods of contraception can help reduce the risk.

Where to get tested?

Blood for sexually transmitted infections can be donated at any medical facility.

Everyone who is sexually active should be tested for STIs every six months for prevention purposes. After a course of treatment for any infection, an analysis is required after a month, and then after another three. It is also necessary to be examined when planning a pregnancy. In the case of unprotected casual sexual contact, a reliable result may not be immediately. So, HIV is determined only six months after contact, like syphilis. And in order to detect hepatitis, you need from 1.5 to 3 months.

Sexually transmitted infection test availablefor free. But first, it is better to visit a specialist. This is a venereologist, andrologist, urologist or gynecologist.

STI prevention

Preventive measures to prevent the infection of STIs are divided into two types:

1. Primary, which are aimed at their warning:

• barrier contraception (condoms);
• organization of sex life with one reliable partner;
• intimate hygiene.

2. Secondary, which are aimed at preventing the disease if infection is suspected. For example, after suspicious sexual contact or in cases where a person learned about the presence of an STI after an unprotected act.

Treating sexually transmitted infections

Appropriate treatment of such diseases should be prescribed exclusively by a specialist after all the necessary methods of differential and laboratory diagnostics have been carried out. Depending on what kind of pathogen provoked a particular pathological condition, a specific treatment regimen is drawn up. Most of these diseases are successfully treated, but here it is necessary to observe the conditions of timeliness and strict implementation of the specialist's instructions. Incurable pathologies are such STDs as HIV, herpes and hepatitis C.

Therapeutic methods are aimed at eliminating the symptoms. For this, the following tablets are used for sexually transmitted infections:

1. Immunomodulators that allowactivate the body's immune response to the introduction of infectious agents into it.
2. Antiviral drugs to speed up the remission process when a viral infection enters the latency phase.
3. Hepatoprotectors used to support the liver.
4. Cardiac glycosides to ensure the normal functioning of the heart muscle.
5. Vitamin complexes - as part of general strengthening therapy.
6. Antiparasitic drugs.
7. Antibiotics that kill pathogens.
8. Antifungal agents for the treatment and prevention of diseases caused by pathogenic fungi.

We have special days in our country for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections.