How Many STDs Are There And What They Are
The term sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is quite broad and can lead you to wonder how many Stds are there. The answer is that there are more than twenty different types. For your knowledge, the different types of STDs as well as what causes them, the signs it exhibits, and how they are tested in the laboratory.
STDs Caused By Bacteria
Bacteria is the cause behind several STDs. The first one is chancroid, which is caused by the bacteria Hemophilus ducreyl. The symptom that it may show among others is a cut with the diameter of 2 cm, is concave, has irregular edges and secretes pus as well as causes pain.
Sometimes, it only happens on one side of the genitals. The complication that can happen from this is the death of the fetus on pregnant women who are infected, making it easier for the Infection of HIV. The laboratory test used to test chancroid is Gramm staining and Agar culture for a week.
Read also: Is Chlamydia Curable
Another STD caused by bacteria is Chlamydia, which is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. This is usually a chronic infection because as much as 70% of women do not feel any symptoms in the beginning and therefore do not go get checked.
The symptoms of it are yellowish-white liquid vaginal excrete, pain in the pelvic cavity, and bleeding after sexual intercourse.
The complication that can happen is that it usually accompanies gonorrhea, inflammation of the pelvis, infertility due to an attachment on the fallopian tubes, eye infection in newborns, and it eases the transmission of HIV infection. The laboratory test done to detect chlamydia is Giemsa staining, Rapid Test, and ELISA.
The Dangers Of Bacterial STDs
Syphilis is an STD that is caused by the bacterial infection of Treponema pallidum. The first symptom of Syphilis is the appearance of lesion or wounds on the genitals on the mouth. The wound may not be painful, but it can easily transmit infections.
This wound or lesion will last for 1.5 months and then disappear on its own. It should be taken into notice that the lesion is very contagious, that skin contact with the lesion will cause a transmission to another person.
If syphilis is not taken care of, the infection will develop to the next stage in four to ten weeks after the lesion disappears. In the next stage, flu-like symptoms such as fever, joint pains, and headaches will come up. Hair loss up to baldness can also occur to patients. If ignored, syphilis infections can last in the body for several years without showing any signs.
What should be aware of is that during that time the bacteria will spread to other parts of the body and then cause serious conditions such as paralysis, blindness, dementia, meningitis, heart problems, and coordination problems. To diagnose syphilis, a blood test can be done.
It can be difficult to diagnose merely from the signs, therefore you must immediately do a blood test if you suspect yourself being at risk of syphilis. Knowing how many STDs are there there and the characteristics of each will help you determine which test you should get if you are sexually active.
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