Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Overview
In the medical world, there are roughly two dozen known sexually transmitted diseases (STD)—each ranging in severity and all caused by some form of a pathogen (i.e. a virus, bacteria, parasite, etc.) that is spread through sexual contact. More than 13 million people are affected by STDs annually. Regardless of a person’s social or economic class or of their height, weight and age, most STDs are transmitted because of unprotected sexual contact. STDs can be painful, humiliating, debilitating and life threatening. Some of the most common STDs are gonorrhea, chlamydia and herpes which can be treated with medications. More serious and possibly fatal STDs represent themselves in HIV/AIDS, as well as hepatitis, and need treatment and medical monitoring for the rest of the patient’s life. Every STD brings with it a slew of symptoms ranging from itching, burning, genital blisters and inflammation of the internal organs, to fever, chills and even more debilitating symptoms. Exercising abstinence and using condoms are the only ways to help prevent a person from getting an STD.