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About Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)STDs/STIs are a group of illnesses that are passed from person to person during sexual intercourse, oral sex, or certain types of sex play. These diseases can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites and are spread through intimate sexual contact involv...
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What are the symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?People with STDs/STIs may feel ill and notice some of the following signs and symptoms:1,2 Unusual discharge from the penis or vagina Sores or warts on the genital area Painful or frequent urinati...
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What causes sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?There are three major causes of STDs/STIs: Bacteria, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis Viruses, including HIV/AIDS, herpes simplex virus, human papillomavirus, hepatitis B virus, cytomegalovirus (C...
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What are some types of and treatments for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?Approximately 20 different infections are known to be transmitted through sexual contact. Although NICHD does study STIs, their prevention, and their effects on pregnancy and lon...
Caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis Can be transmitted during vaginal, oral, or anal sexual contact with an infected partner Many infected individuals will not experience symptoms, but chlamydia can cause fever, abdominal pain, and unusual discharge from the penis or vagina. Can be treat...
Caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which can grow and multiply rapidly in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tractMost common symptoms include discharge from the vagina or penis and painful or difficult urination. 2Can be treated with antibioticsLike chlamydia, if left untreated, ...
Caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV)4There are two different strains, or types: HSV type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). Both can cause genital herpes, although most cases of genital herpes are caused by HSV-2. 5Symptoms of HSV-1 usually appear as fever blisters or cold sores on the lips, but it ...
HIV, human immunodeficiency virus,7 is the virus that causes AIDS. Destroys the body's immune system by killing the blood cells that fight infection. Once HIV destroys a substantial proportion of these cells, the body's ability to fight off and recover from infections is compromised...
HPV8 is the most common STI. More than 40 HPV types exist, and all of them can infect both men and women. The types of HPVs vary in their ability to cause genital warts; infect other regions of the body, including the mouth and throat; and cause cancers of the cervix, vulva, penis, anus, and mouth...
Caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidumPasses from person to person during vaginal, anal, or oral sex through direct contact with syphilis soresSyphilis can also be spread from an infected mother to her fetus. 10 In 2001, the number of cases of syphilis was at its lowest in 60 years. But the syp...
Occurs when problematic bacteria that are normally present only in small amounts in the body increase in number. Their levels get so high that they replace normal vaginal bacteria and upset the usual balance. More likely if a woman douches frequently or has new or multiple sexual partnersMost commo...
Caused14 by the single-celled parasite Trichomonas vaginalisCommon in young, sexually active women but also infects men, though less frequentlyThe parasite can be transmitted between men and women as well as between women whenever physical contact occurs between the genital areas. Can cause frequent...
Caused by several different viral strainsMore information about hepatitis A, B, and C can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Hepatitis A virus (HAV):Causes a short-term or self-limited liver infection that can be quite serious. Does not result in chronic infection...
An infection caused by a virus. In most cases, it is spread by mosquitoes, but Zika virus also can be transmitted sexually. Zika is usually mild, with symptoms lasting for several days to a week after being infected...
Citations Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Chlamydia – CDC fact sheet...
Why are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) of particular concern for pregnant women?Some infections—such as Zika, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV, and syphilis—can pass to the fetus during pregnancy or to the infant during delivery, causing short- and long-...
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How do health care providers diagnose a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or sexually transmitted infection (STI)?Any person who is sexually active should discuss his or her risk factors for STDs/STIs with a health care provider and ask about getting tested. If you are sexually active, it is impor...
Citations Saslow, D. , Solomon, D. , Lawson, H...
Is there a cure for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?Viruses such as HIV, genital herpes, human papillomavirus, hepatitis, and cytomegalovirus cause STDs/STIs that cannot be cured. People with an STI caused by a virus will be infected for life and will...
What are the treatments for sexually transmitted diseases and sexually transmitted infections (STDs/STIs)?STDs/STIs caused by bacteria or parasites can be treated with antibiotics. These antibiotics are most often given by mouth (orally). However, sometimes they are injected or applied directly to...
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NICHD Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Research GoalsNICHD research on STDs/STIs ranges from identifying factors and behaviors that affect the risk of contracting or spreading STDs/STIs to understanding how STDs/STIs affect pregnancy and long-term health to developing and testing new interventio...
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Research Activities and Advances...
Research on STDs/sexually transmitted infections (STIs) falls into the portfolios of several NICHD organizational units. Some of their activities are explained below. The Population Dynamics Branch (PDB) funds studies of sexual behaviors related to disease prevention in a variety of populations a...
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