Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have a direct impact on sexual and reproductive health and are a leading cause of HIV infection. Despite many efforts to prevent the spread of these infections, they are not completely curable. The number of people with a history of STIs increases every year, and drug resistance has become a major problem. Although there are more than 30 different pathogens that can be transmitted through sexual contact, eight are known to cause the highest number of cases worldwide. Four are curable while four are incurable.

A healthcare provider can examine you for the presence of STDs and detect disease. Your healthcare provider will ask you about your sexual history, which could indicate a problem. If you think you may have a sexually transmitted disease, you should seek treatment as soon as possible. The symptoms of gonorrhea usually appear one to 14 days after exposure. In most cases, a male will experience symptoms two to five days after exposure, while a female may not have any symptoms until 10 days after the infection.

Syphilis is the most common STI and is caused by an infection with the Treponema pallidum bacterium. Although the chancres of syphilis are not painful, they can be permanent. The chancres heal in four to six weeks, which means that many boys do not seek treatment. Around one-third of people with primary syphilis progress to secondary syphilis, which is characterized by a range of uncomfortable symptoms.

AIDS is another STI that can remain in a person’s body for years without treatment, and it can lead to organ damage and paralysis. Another common STI is genital herpes, which is caused by two different viruses: the Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and the Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2. Some people may be able to prevent it by taking precautions and not using needles.

There is a high incidence of STIs in the U.S., with almost 50 percent of cases occurring among people under the age of 25. The prevalence of STIs is increasing, partly because more people are becoming sexually active. The symptoms of STIs can be subtle and easily mistaken for other diseases. STIs can spread and lead to serious complications, including infertility or ectopic pregnancy.

The spread of STIs is mainly through sexual contact, although some are also spread through blood or by IV drug users. Some women can pass their infections to their babies during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. STIs can cause major health problems, including infertility, heart disease, and cancer. It is vital that people who engage in risky sexual activities see their doctor right away to get diagnosed. The sooner they can be diagnosed, the sooner they can get treatment.

A vaccine to protect against HIV and gonorrhea has been developed and is currently in clinical trials. In addition to vaccines, biomedical interventions, including male circumcision, are also available. In addition to vaccination, some health care workers perform preventive measures, such as microbicides, which contain specific STIs. But many people are unaware that they are at risk for sexually transmitted diseases. So how do we protect ourselves?