Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease. It is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. The bacteria may enter the body during sexual activity. It can lead to infection of the genitals (penis or vagina). It can also infect the mouth or anus following oral or anal sex. An infected pregnant woman can pass the infection to her child during the baby's passage through the birth canal. If attended to before Chlamydia reaches the critical stage, Chlamydia can be cured. But if left untreated, Chlamydia can cause severe reproductive and other health problems such as infertility. Untreated Chlamydia infections in pregnant women can lead to premature delivery. Babies born to infected women can get Chlamydia infections in their eyes and respiratory tracts.
Symptoms in men:
- Clear or whitish yellow discharge from the tip of the penis.
- Frequent urge to urinate or a burning sensation while urinating.
- Redness at the tip of the penis.
- Burning and itching around the opening of the penis.
- Pain and swelling in the testicles.
Symptoms in women:
- Lower abdominal pain
- Low back pain
- Nausea
- Fever
- Pain during sex
- Bleeding between menstrual periods
- Painful periods
- Itching or burning sensation in or around the vagina
- Pain when urinating
- Vaginal discharge with a bad odor
Those diagnosed with Chlamydia infection need to inform sexual partner(s) within the preceding 60 days. Chlamydia can be treated and cured with antibiotics. Health care providers usually prescribe a single dose of azithromycin or a week of doxycycline. Persons infected with Chlamydia should abstain from sexual intercourse for 7 days or until completion of medications.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted bacterial disease caused by neisseria gonorrhea bacteria. Any sexually active person can be infected with gonorrhea. The infection can affect any gender of sex and any age group but most prevalent among those from 15 to 30 years of age. Gonorrhea transmission can occur through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus. Ejaculation does not have to occur for gonorrhea to be transmitted. Besides sexual contact, another method of infection is an infected mother who may pass the gonorrhea to her baby at birth. The bacterium thrives in warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract. In women, it’s the cervix, the uterus and the fallopian tubes. Gonorrhea can also breed in the urethra of both women and men, as well as in the mouth, throat, eyes and anus.
Symptoms of Gonorrhea
Not everyone who is infected will have indications. Some may be infected for several months without showing any indications. If any, signs and symptoms of gonorrhea will appear within 2 to 10 days after exposure to an infected partner. Symptoms of gonorrhea in women in the genital tract may include:
- Frequent urination
- Pain or burning sensation when passing urine
- Vaginal discharge that is yellow or bloody in color
- Bleeding between menstrual periods
- Heavy bleeding with periods
- Pain during sex
- Redness and swelling of the genitals
- Burning sensation or itching of the vaginal area
- Irritation and/or discharge from the anus.
Advanced symptoms in women may indicate development of Pelvic inflammatory disease. The symptoms of which are cramps and pain, bleeding between menstrual periods, vomiting and fever.
Symptoms of gonorrhea in men in the genital tract may include:
- A burning sensation when urinating
- A white, yellow or green discharge from the penis
- Painful or swollen testicles
- Inflammation or infection of a duct in the testicles
- Infection or inflammation of the prostate gland.
Besides, genital tract gonorrhea can affect other sites in the body. The symptoms vary depending on the infected site.
Rectum: anal itching, pus-like discharge from the rectum and having difficulty during bowel movements.
Eyes: Eye pain, sensitivity to light, pus-like discharge from one or both eyes.
Throat: Sore throat and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
Joints: The affected joint or joints may be warm, red, swollen and extremely painful while making movements.
Symptoms usually will develop within 2 weeks after exposure. If you experience a burning sensation while urinating or notice a pus-like discharge from penis, vagina or rectum seek medical attention. Even if you do not experience any of the symptoms but is experienced by your partner or if already diagnosed with gonorrhea, contact family physician or a general practitioner. It is also best to seek medical attention if you have had sex with someone who you suspect of having gonorrhea. Abstain from sex until you see your doctor.
Detecting gonorrhea
Gram stain: Before grain stain test, women are often given a pelvic exam and then sample of discharge from the cervix is collected and is placed on a slide. In men, the sample of fluid is taken from the penis. The sample is stained with a dye. The healthcare provider will use a microscope to look for bacteria on the slide. The test results can be obtained immediately. This test is more accurate for men than women.
Swab of affected area: A swab of your throat, urethra, vagina or rectum may be collected to detect the genes of the bacteria.
Urine test: Helps identify bacteria in your urethra.
Other tests: Other tests to detect sexually transmitted infections are likely to be recommended as gonorrhea increases risk of these infections.
Treating gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics (non-penicillin antibiotic such as ceftriaxone). Many people who have gonorrhea also have another sexually transmitted disease (STD) called Chlamydia. Doctors often give a combination of antibiotics to treat both STDs. The affected individual should take the medications as prescribed and completes the course of medication. The medications prescribed by the doctor will stop the infection; it will not repair any permanent damage already done due to the infection. Both the affected individual and the sex partner must be treated for gonorrhea even in the absence of symptoms of gonorrhea.
- Don’t skip medications and do take medications until finished.
- Do notify your sexual contacts.
- Do take sitz baths to relieve discomfort.
- Do wash hands frequently and thoroughly.
- Don’t drink too much of caffeine and alcohol.
- Do use latex condoms during sexual intercourse.
- Don’t resume sexual activity till the infection is cured.
Genital Warts
Genital Warts or Condyloma Acuminata refer to warts that appear on the genitals of affected persons. Genital warts appear as flesh-colored bumps on the penis or around the vagina or on the cervix. HPV is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that spreads through sexual contact. Genital warts may appear on the moist area of the genitals or scrotum and anus.
Genital warts caused by HPV are associated with cervical cancer. A woman suffering from this infection is likely to get an abnormal pap smear result. There may be itching or burning in the genital area. Genital warts can lead to pain during intercourse. Surgical methods are used to remove genital warts. Genital warts are also treated with cryotherapy. Topical applications containing imiquimod are prescribed to rev up the body's immune system.
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