Asymptomatic venereal diseases. Skin and venereal diseases, symptoms

To become infected with venereological infections, all you need to do is one unprotected sexual contact with an infected partner.

Unlike men, STD symptoms in women can be mildly expressed and in the absence of timely treatment they often go into a hidden latent phase, which is fraught with the development of severe complications. In addition, during this period a woman is not only a carrier, but also a distributor of a dangerous disease.

Even 20 years ago list of STDs There were only “classic” venereal diseases - syphilis, gonorrhea, chancroid, chlamydial and inguinal granuloma. Since 1993, this list has been supplemented by all kinds of infections that can be acquired through sexual contact, and today STIs include:

Syphilis;
Gonorrheal infection in men: anterior and posterior urethritis, epididymitis, prostatitis, vesiculitis; in women: urethritis, vulvitis, bartholinitis;
Chancroid;
Chlamydial lymphogranulomatosis;
Granuloma venereum;
Trichomoniasis;
Urogenital chlamydia;
Urogenital mycoplasmosis;
Urogenital candidiasis;
Ureaplasma infection;
Genital herpes;
HIV AIDS;
Human papillomavirus (HPV);
Hepatitis B and C;
Phthiriasis is an infestation with pubic louse.

STDs are common in all countries of the world and cause enormous socio-economic damage. The continued high rates of STIs are influenced by: low level life, prostitution, drug addiction, incomplete registration of sick people, unprotected sexual contacts. The only way to prevent diseases is barrier contraception.

Most infections have pronounced symptoms, mainly in the genital area. Some of them may remain asymptomatic for years: hepatitis, HIV, HPV, genital herpes, CMV. Let's look at the symptoms of each disease.

Disease	Symptoms	Incubation period
Syphilis	Stage 1. Round painless ulcer (chancre, syphiloma) in the perineal area, enlarged lymph nodes Stage 2. 6 to 7 weeks. The rash is represented by spots of the same size, mainly on the body and limbs, does not peel off and is not detectable by touch. Stage 3. From 3 to 5 years (extremely rare). Infection of the skin, mucous membranes, bones, joints, nervous system organs, and others internal organs: heart, liver, lungs.	20 – 30 days
Gonorrhea	Pain at the beginning of urination, discharge with pus, blood, pain in the abdomen, sometimes an increase in body temperature up to 38 - 39 o C	Up to 5 days
Chancroid	An ulcer on the external genitalia that appears on the 5th day of infection, is painful on palpation and increases in diameter. After 15–20 days, the growth process stops; after a couple of months, healing occurs. An ulcer forms on the labia, clitoris, around the rectum, on the skin of the thighs, on the pubis	Up to 5 days
Chlamydial lymphogranulomatosis	Stage 1. An ulcer in the vagina, on the labia, or on the cervix. Stage 2. Hardening, enlargement and pain of the lymph nodes; at the site of the ulcer, the skin becomes thin and breaks, and yellowish pus appears. Nausea, headaches, increased body temperature, chills are possible. Stage 3. The spleen and liver are enlarged, severe changes in the lymph nodes and nearby organs.	3 – 30 days
Granuloma venereum	A painless, firm, red, pea-sized papule on the labia or clitoris; in the mouth and nasal mucosa, on the body, face, hands. Elephantiasis of the labia, itching and purulent discharge from the ulcer, narrowing of the vagina.	The incubation period can last up to six months
Trichomoniasis	Liquid purulent, sometimes foamy discharge, accompanied by an unpleasant odor and itching of the perineum, pain during urination and during sexual intercourse	5 – 15 days
Urogenital chlamydia	Swelling and inflammation of the urethral mucosa, mucopurulent vaginal discharge, pain in the lower abdomen. Complications: inflammation of the uterus, its cervix and appendages, chlamydia of the rectum.	2 – 3 weeks
Urogenital mycoplasmosis	Against the background of mycoplasmosis, inflammatory processes of the genital organs develop: cervicitis, endometritis. Mycoplasma infection is diagnosed by laboratory methods. Complication – infertility	3 – 5 weeks
Urogenital candidiasis	Itching, inflammation and swelling in the perineum, whitish discharge, often thickened, a sour odor that increases after sexual intercourse, irritation of the vaginal mucosa when urinating and getting water.	Up to 10 days
Ureaplasma	Symptoms are nonspecific, characteristic of most inflammatory diseases: mucous discharge, abdominal pain, pain when emptying the bladder and during coitus.	5 – 30 days
Genital herpes	Discomfort in the perineum (itching, soreness), then a rash appears in the form of small blisters with a diameter of 2-3 mm, often accompanied by headache, fever up to 38.5 o C, and general malaise.	2 – 14 days
HPV	Genital warts in the perineum, perianal area, vulva, cervix	From several weeks to several months
Hepatitis B and C	Indigestion, general weakness of the body, final result: liver damage	From 2 weeks to a year
Ftiriaz	Itching in the pubic area, bluish-bluish spots with a black dot in the center that form at the site of the bite.	Up to 1 month
HIV	The acute stage in a small percentage of infected people, which occurs 1 to 6 months after infection, has symptoms similar to infectious mononucleosis. Next, HIV enters a dormant stage, which can last up to 6 years. After this period, diseases develop against the background of immunodeficiency: herpes, candidiasis of internal organs, CMV, brain lymphoma, tuberculosis of internal organs, bacterial infections, etc.	1 month – 4-6 years

As you can see, many STIs have similar symptoms, so diagnosing and differentiating the infection from other similar ones is only possible using laboratory diagnostic methods: serological tests: ELISA, RPGA, RSCA; bacteriological method, enzyme immunoassay, DNA diagnostics - PCR method.

Symptoms

The first symptom indicating a possible STI infection is changes in the color and nature of vaginal discharge: gray-white, yellow, grayish-yellow, greenish, foamy, with a sour, fishy smell. In addition, in the acute course of sexually transmitted infections, the following are often observed: pain and burning during urination, itching and swelling in the area of the external genitalia.

Diagnosis of STIs in women, as well as in men, is carried out through blood tests using ELISA, PCR, RIF, etc., and vaginal secretions using the bacteriological method.

Often, an infection in women that is not cured in time goes into a latent asymptomatic phase, which is characterized by the development of inflammation in the genital area and is fraught with impaired reproductive function.

Prevention of STDs consists of barrier contraception using a condom, and also includes an annual examination of women by gynecologists.

Bleeding

Bleeding due to STDs– a sign of a complicated course of venereological diseases. Scanty intermenstrual bleeding can be observed:

For endometritis (damage to the uterine mucosa) caused by long-term gonococcal and chlamydial infections.
Cervicitis caused by mycoplasmas.

Bleeding in the above diseases is often accompanied by other symptoms: swelling and itching in the genitals, severe discharge with pus. Less common: increased body temperature, abdominal pain.

Purulent bloody discharge observed with granuloma venereum and chlamydial lymphogranulomatosis in the secondary period, during the rupture of the ulcer.

Drugs

Basics STI treatment is aimed at eliminating the pathogenic causative agent of infection with antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal drugs (depending on the specifics of the causative agent).

At genital herpes and HPV Treatment with antiviral drugs is indicated: “Acyclovir”, “Valacyclovir”, “Famciclovir”, a course of treatment of 5 – 10 days.

As antibacterial therapy for syphilis Penicillins (benzylpenicillin) are prescribed: “Bicillin”, “Benzylpenicillin novocaine salt”. At gonococcal, chlamydial and mycoplasma infections, treatment with macrolides is indicated: “Vilprafen”, “Josamycin”, “Erythromycin”, “Azithromycin”, “Sumamed”, etc. chancroid, granuloma venereum The most effective are tetracyclines: Doxycycline, Unidox Solutab, as well as macrolides: Vilprafen.”

During treatment urogenital candidiasis use antifungal drugs: Fluconazole, Diflucan, Mikosist.

For elimination of trichomoniasis are taking ornidazole drugs: “Ornidazole”, “Tiberal”, “Lornizol” and metronidazole: “Metronidazole”, “Trichopol”.

General principles HIV therapy is to prevent the progression of the disease. To maintain chronic lethargy of the virus, therapy with antiretroviral drugs is indicated: Azidothymidine, Lamivudine, Zalcitabine.

Sexually transmitted infectious diseases are a group of venereological pathologies, the main route of transmission of which is unprotected sexual contact. STDs are clinically heterogeneous nosological entities that are highly contagious, that is, infectious, and therefore pose a direct danger to human health.

What infections are sexually transmitted

The World Health Organization classifies STDs in the following way :

Typical sexually transmitted infections

lymphogranulomatosis (inguinal form);
granuloma venereal type.

Other STDs:

which primarily affect the organs of the reproductive system:

urogenital shigellosis (occurs in persons with homosexual sexual intercourse);
trichomoniasis;
candidal lesions of the genital organs, manifested by balanoposthitis and vulvovaginitis;
gardnerellosis;
scabies;
flat spots (pediculosis pubis);
molluscum contagiosum.

which primarily affect other organs and systems:

neonatal sepsis;
Giardia;
AIDS;
amebiasis (typical for persons with homosexual contacts).

The main difference between any representative of an STD is its high susceptibility to changes in environmental conditions. For infection to occur, there must be direct contact between a sick person and a healthy person, and in some cases this is not necessarily sexual intercourse; household contact will be sufficient, as, for example, in the case of a viral disease. The danger increases in the presence of defects in the integrity of the mucous membranes and skin, which are the entrance gates for any infection. The risk of contracting an STD increases significantly through anal intercourse, the use of general personal hygiene products and sexual toys. note: Almost all viral and bacterial sexually transmitted diseases penetrate the placental barrier, that is, they are transmitted to the fetus in utero and disrupt its physiological development. Sometimes the consequences of such infection appear only several years after the birth of the child in the form of dysfunction of the heart, liver, kidneys, and developmental disorders. Regarding the type of pathogen, sexually transmitted diseases are:

The following reasons are identified that contribute to the spread of STDs::

very close household contacts;
unprotected sex, which also includes anal and oral sex;
use of shared towels;
failure to comply with the necessary rules for sterilization of instruments (diseases are transmitted through contaminated instruments in medical, dental, cosmetology institutions, as well as in manicure and tattoo parlors);
procedure for transfusion of blood and its elements;
parenteral drug administration;
transplantation of organs and tissues.

STD: symptoms

The clinical picture of sexually transmitted diseases is slightly different, but, in general, there are a number of signs that are characteristic of almost each of them:

excessive weakness;
purulent or mucous discharge from the urethra;
cloudy urine;
burning and itching in the genital area;
enlarged lymph nodes in the groin;
discomfort during sexual intercourse and urination;
ulcers and ulcers in the groin, on the external genitalia;

For other organs, symptoms may appear depending on the type of infection that affects other systems. For example, the liver suffers from hepatitis, bones are affected in the last stages of syphilis, and chlamydia can affect joints.

Symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases in women

The presence of certain symptoms of STDs in women is explained by the characteristics of their physiology. The following signs should alert a woman and become a reason for an emergency visit to the gynecologist:

pain and feeling of dryness during sex;
single or group enlargement of lymph nodes;
dysmenorrhea (disturbances in the normal menstrual cycle);
pain and discharge from the anus;
itching in the perineal area;
anal irritation;
rash on the labia or around the anus, mouth, or body;
unusual vaginal discharge (green, foamy, smelly, bloody);
frequent painful urge to urinate;
swelling of the vulva.

Sexually transmitted diseases in men: symptoms

You can suspect an STD in men based on the following signs::

blood in semen;
frequent and painful urge to urinate;
low-grade fever (not in all diseases);
problems with normal ejaculation;
pain in the scrotum;
discharge from the urethra (white, purulent, mucous, with an odor);
various types of rashes on the head of the penis, the penis itself, and around it.

Important: Most sexually transmitted pathologies are asymptomatic. It is very important to seek medical help immediately after the first symptoms appear in order to prevent progression and complications.

Diagnostics

If there are any suspicious signs from the genital organs, especially after unprotected sexual intercourse, you should consult a doctor as early as possible. Self-medication in this case is fraught with complications and serious consequences. Sometimes the symptoms of an STD disappear some time after their onset, and the patient thinks that he is healthy and everything went away on its own. But this only means that the disease has passed into a latent, that is, hidden form, and continues to circulate in the body. Important: If you detect suspicious symptoms, you must notify your sexual partner and undergo an examination with him andget tested for STDs. The diagnostic scheme includes the following points:

Survey. The doctor collects a detailed medical history from the patient, he asks about complaints, how long ago they appeared and their severity. Usually, a patient who has already consulted a doctor has various types of elements (ulcers, rashes, erosions) on the skin and mucous membranes of the genital organs, pain, burning, itching when urinating. It is also important to find out the number of sexual partners, previous sexually transmitted diseases, contraceptive methods used, and whether there were unprotected sexual contacts. A woman undergoes a mandatory gynecological examination, and a man a urological examination, during which a specialist detects objective symptoms of an STD. If necessary, it is also possible to consult a dermatovenerologist.
Laboratory research. They are the basis for confirming the diagnosis. Testing for sexually transmitted infections involves examining the patient's blood and other biological fluids.

In particular, the following diagnostic methods are used:

Treatment of sexually transmitted infections

Appropriate therapy is always prescribed only by the attending physician based on test results. Depending on the identified pathogen, a treatment regimen is drawn up.
Most diseases can be successfully treated, but there are some that are considered incurable:

hepatitis C;
herpes types 1 and 2;

At the same time, maintenance therapy allows you to remove symptoms and alleviate the patient’s condition. Among the medications prescribed by a doctor, the following groups of drugs can be used:

to activate the body's immune response;
antiviral, allowing to accelerate remission when the viral infection enters the latent phase;
hepatoprotectors are used to support the liver in case of severe damage;
cardiac glycosides support the functioning of the heart muscle;
vitamin-mineral complexes are part of general strengthening therapy;

Venereology As a field of medical science, it studies sexually transmitted infections (STIs): their clinical picture, diagnosis, treatment methods and prevention. Currently, the term “sexually transmitted diseases” has given way to a broader concept – sexually transmitted diseases (infections) (STDs, STIs). Today, sexually transmitted diseases occupy one of the first places in terms of prevalence, second only to colds. Anyone can become infected with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), regardless of gender, age or nationality.

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TO venereal diseases, or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), include infectious diseases that are caused by bacterial, viral, fungal and other pathogens, united mainly by the method of transmission of infection.

Transmission of infection requires close physical contact with the interaction of body fluids. Sexually transmitted diseases are not spread by airborne droplets, but certain STDs can be transmitted in other ways: household and parenteral.

What are sexually transmitted diseases

Typically, venereology has considered only a few diseases whose pathogens are known to be spread through sexual intercourse. Today, these diseases are called classic traditional venereal diseases.

Nowadays, the list of sexually transmitted diseases has expanded significantly, since other pathogens have been found that are transmitted primarily through sexual contact.

The causative agents of most of these diseases have been well studied and effective methods for their treatment and prevention have been discovered, and yet sexually transmitted diseases are still widespread.

When treating STDs, early diagnosis of the disease and the time elapsed from the moment of infection to the start of treatment are essential, since most of them lead to infertility if neglected. This is an extremely serious problem, since people of most reproductive age are susceptible to infection with sexually transmitted infections.

Therefore, one of the most important areas of venereology is prevention and sanitary education, since timely measures taken to prevent venereal diseases can avoid serious health problems. Typically, sexually transmitted diseases respond well to adequate therapy, but their treatment must be consistent and persistent, and must be completed until complete healing.

And yet, the main way of transmitting sexually transmitted diseases remains sexual contact, and not only genital.

Descriptions of sexually transmitted diseases

Prevalence and causes of sexually transmitted diseases

The top lines of the world rankings, including the most common sexually transmitted diseases, are firmly occupied by trichomoniasis and chlamydia: up to 250 million cases are identified annually, and the proportion of those infected is about 15% of the total population of the Earth. They are followed by gonorrhea (100 million “fresh” cases of the disease per year) and syphilis (up to 50 million).

The graphical representation of the incidence resembles a wave, the peaks of which occur during times of social change for the worse and the post-war years.

Reasons causing the increase in the incidence of STDs

Demographic – population growth, an increase in the proportion of young and sexually active people, traditions of early sexual activity.

Progress in the socio-economic sphere - labor migration, tourism development, more free time and money, youth attraction to cities and availability of sexual contacts.

Behavioral norms are changing: more divorces, easy change of sexual partners; women are emancipated, and men are in no hurry to start a family.

Medical reasons - frequent cases of self-medication and the transition of diseases into a latent form; women and men feel safe using condoms and instant STD prevention.

Prevalence of drug addiction and alcoholism.

At-risk groups

Traditional risk groups include:

prostitutes;
homeless people;
illegal migrants;
alcoholics;
drug addicts.

However, they are confidently being overtaken by the growing incidence rate among quite successful people:

personnel of companies operating abroad;
those employed in the tourism business and tourists;
sailors, pilots and flight attendants are also included in the list of unreliable STDs.

Classification of sexually transmitted diseases

Venereal diseasesModern venereology knows more than 20 sexually transmitted infections, the causative agents of which are: protozoa, viruses, bacteria, arthropods and yeasts. All sexually transmitted diseases are classified into:

Classic venereal diseases

gonorrhea;
syphilis;
Lymphogranuloma venereum.

These STIs are examples of the most dangerous classical sexually transmitted diseases. They are very difficult to treat and can have severe consequences for the body. Despite the fact that the cultural development of society has stepped far forward, it is sexually transmitted diseases that are most often epidemic in nature.

Sexually transmitted diseases affecting the genitourinary system

trichomoniasis;
ureaplasmosis;
chlamydia;
gardnerellosis;
genital herpes;
candidiasis;
and a number of other diseases affecting the genitourinary system.

This entire group is united by the hidden nature of the disease. In addition, diseases from this group tend to coexist several types of pathogens in the body of one patient. This specificity is fraught with the development of an advanced, difficult-to-treat stage, despite the apparent mildness of each individual disease. That is why sexually transmitted diseases of the second group are no less dangerous to health than classic sexually transmitted infections.

Sexually transmitted diseases affecting other human organs

hepatitis of various groups;
AIDS;
cytomegalovirus infection.

Despite the fact that these infections are predominantly sexually transmitted, they mainly affect other systems of the body and its individual organs. This is how AIDS destroys immune system, and hepatitis affects the liver.

When patients are diagnosed with these most dangerous diseases, in most cases they fall into despair. But this should not be done under any circumstances. Modern venereology has achieved great success and continues to develop, and today there are many, many examples of long, fulfilling lives of people even with such serious illnesses.

Signs and symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases in women

Symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases in women are usually minor and mild. In most women, the disease is asymptomatic or accompanied by symptoms characteristic of a whole group of STDs.

It must be emphasized that it is impossible to diagnose STDs solely on the basis of their signs and symptoms - the symptoms of many sexually transmitted diseases are very similar.

Another difficulty in diagnosis is that the symptoms and signs of infection with sexually transmitted diseases are practically indistinguishable from the symptoms of other infections that cause inflammation. However, there are a number of signs that indicate the presence of the disease.

If you value your health and the health of your loved ones, then even with minor urinary dysfunction or discomfort in the lower abdomen, you should consult a gynecologist. An acute, “fresh” disease can be cured much easier, faster and with minimal consequences for the body than a chronic one.

Signs and symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases in men

The symptoms of some sexually transmitted diseases may be more typical. In other words, there are sexually transmitted infections that have their own characteristics that are unique from other infections. To adequately diagnose an STD, you need to contact a venereologist and get tested for infections.

Tests for sexually transmitted diseases

It is important to note that the diagnosis of STDs is always a complex of tests for sexually transmitted diseases. None of the methods is sufficient to establish a definitive diagnosis. A negative result from one test is not a sufficient basis to exclude the disease.

An integrated approach necessarily includes:

If you have the slightest doubt or have unsafe sex, do not delay visiting your doctor.

Treatment of sexually transmitted diseases

Unfortunately, many people think that treating sexually transmitted diseases is a simple matter: you can ask your friends what medications they used. However, such an opinion is wrong.

In fact, treatment of sexually transmitted infections is the prerogative of the doctor, and self-medication is not allowed.

Any sexually transmitted infection responds only to a specific group of antibiotics. There are bacteria whose susceptibility to certain drugs changes over time. Certain infections are immune to specific antibiotics because they have already been treated with them. As a result, a patient suffering from a venereal disease should be treated exclusively by a venereologist.

In order for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases to be successful, a thorough, comprehensive approach is needed. The patient must completely trust his doctor and give him the opportunity to use adequate treatment methods. Self-treatment of sexually transmitted diseases is an extremely unacceptable thing.

Even not every doctor can correctly diagnose the disease and select the necessary methods of treating sexually transmitted infections; for this it is necessary to have not only special knowledge, but also extensive experience in the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.

The results of self-medication can be very sad - this is not only undertreatment, but also dysbiosis of the intestines and vagina, which are difficult to treat, liver diseases, and the danger of transferring the infection to a “latent” form - which can “wake up” after many years.

Complications caused by sexually transmitted diseases

According to health organizations, about half of people with chlamydia, gonococci, ureaplasma and trichomonas cannot have children.

The prolonged presence of pathogens of sexually transmitted diseases in the human body can lead to serious consequences and cause:

infertility;
ectopic pregnancy;
pathologies during gestation;
complications during childbirth;
infection of an infant;
fetal death;
pathologies of the placenta;
pelvic pain;
increased risk of HIV infection;
ectopia of the cervix;
menstruation disorders;
endometriosis;
adhesive process;
prostatitis and urethritis;
sexual impotence;
neoplasms in the genital area.

Prevention of sexually transmitted diseases

Prevention of sexually transmitted diseases plays an important role in the fight against them. The prevalence of sexually transmitted infections has prompted specialists to begin intensive work to find methods not only for treatment, but also for the prevention of pathological processes of this etiology.

The prevention of sexually transmitted diseases includes various measures, among which one of the main importance today is compliance with sexual hygiene standards.

Frequently changing partners, engaging in casual relationships and ignoring contraceptives significantly increases the risk of contracting an STD. In addition, it should be taken into account that many of them are prone to a latent course, when the clinical picture is absent or not clearly expressed, which is why it is advisable to regularly visit a doctor for preventive examinations and tests.

It is known that some contraceptives can partially protect partners from contracting a sexually transmitted infection. Thus, barrier contraceptives, for example, condoms, create a mechanical obstacle to the path of sperm and some pathogenic pathogens.

The active substances that make up chemicals, including Pharmatex, can also have not only spermicidal, but also viruscidal properties. However, these drugs are not characterized by high enough contraceptive effectiveness.

If the need for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases arose after unprotected sexual intercourse, it would be wisest to consult a doctor. Professional actions include both emergency postcoital contraception and the use of local bactericidal agents (Miramistin). Consultation with a specialist will also help you choose a permanent contraceptive method that is effective in this case.

Myths and misconceptions about sexually transmitted diseases

Myth 1: Oral sex is safe

This is not true. Most sexually transmitted diseases are transmitted through oral sex without a condom. However, it is worth noting that the risk of infection is lower than during sexual intercourse in the vagina.

Myth 2. Sex with a married man (or married woman) does not involve the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.

Having sex with a married man (or married woman) does not eliminate the risk of infection. After all, sexually transmitted diseases often occur asymptomatically (especially in women). At the same time, the person is not even aware of the disease that he could have contracted many years ago.

Myth 3. Sexual contact with persons who are periodically tested for sexually transmitted diseases is not associated with the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.

It's hard to agree with this. First of all, such mass examinations include only a general smear and serological tests for syphilis. In this case, you can easily miss a number of diseases (chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, ureaplasmosis, viral infections), which can occur without changes in the general smear. Further, such examinations are often carried out formally or even “virtually”.

Myth 4. Many sexually transmitted diseases can be contracted in swimming pools or while using shared bathrooms.

This is wrong. The causative agents of sexually transmitted diseases are very unstable in the external environment. Outside the human body, they quickly die. In addition, single microorganisms are usually not capable of causing disease. For infection it is necessary to large quantity microorganisms that can enter the body only through sexual contact.

Myth 5. Douching immediately after sexual intercourse can significantly reduce the risk of infection in women

According to modern ideas, douching slightly reduces this risk. Moreover, douching is a risk factor for gardnerellosis.

Myth 6. Urinating and washing the genitals immediately after sexual intercourse can significantly reduce the risk of infection in men

The risk of infection may decrease somewhat, but exactly how much is unknown. There will be no harm from such preventive measures. However, you should not rely on their effectiveness.

Myth 7. Prevention with chlorhexidine is a reliable method of preventing sexually transmitted diseases

No, this is a very unreliable method. It makes no guarantees. In addition, in women, douching with chlorhexidine contributes to the development of gardnerellosis.

Myth 8. There are holes in the condom that can allow HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases to pass through.

This is wrong. Modern scientific research convincingly shows that latex condoms, when used correctly, reliably protect against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Questions and answers on the topic "Venereal diseases (STDs)"

Does miramistin protect against pregnancy and can it prevent HIV infection through casual sexual contact?

Drugs such as miramistin, gibitan, cidipol, betadine inactivate pathogens of sexually transmitted infections, but do not have a contraceptive effect, and therefore do not protect against unwanted pregnancy. The effectiveness of Miramistin in preventing HIV infection through sex has not been proven. Condoms reduce the risk of HIV transmission.

Is it true that condoms do not protect against all sexually transmitted diseases?

Condoms do not guarantee absolute protection against the transmission of sexually transmitted infections, as manufacturers honestly report. However, condoms significantly reduce the risk of infection by 65 to 99%, both during regular sex and during anal intercourse. For increased protection, it is recommended to use condoms treated with antiseptics such as nonoxynol - 9. A condom cannot protect you, for example, from syphilis, when the lesions are not located on the genitals, or from scabies and pubic lice, which live on the pubic hair, which the condom does not closes.

Could you tell us how to test for sexually transmitted diseases in men?

To diagnose AIDS, Syphilis, and Genital Herpes, blood is taken from a vein for analysis. For other infections, a scraping from the urethra is taken with a special brush. The actual tests are performed using various methods, which the doctor will tell you about at your appointment.

I read that many STDs die at a temperature of 40C. That is, if a person has a fever and body temperature rises above 40C, he can get rid of some diseases?

At 40 degrees, a small part of microorganisms that cause sexually transmitted infections die inside the body, for example, HIV and Hepatitis C Virus die in at least an hour at 55 degrees Celsius. Therefore, high temperature cannot cure sexually transmitted infections.

The blood test for STDs gave a weakly positive result, is it possible that there is an infection or not? I am 33 years old, 21 weeks pregnant.

It is necessary to take a quantitative test for this infection (determine the concentration in the blood). Seek advice from a gynecologist, who will determine further tactics.

Is it possible to give birth if the child's father has a sexually transmitted disease?

You can give birth. But gynecological consultation with a specialist and prenatal diagnosis are necessary.

Please tell me what are the first signs of sexually transmitted diseases?

Signs of sexually transmitted infections in women are: unusual vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor, frequent and painful urination, itching and burning in the genital area, discomfort or pain during sexual intercourse, pain in the lower abdomen or groin, enlarged regional lymph nodes, increased temperature body, intermenstrual bleeding, menstrual irregularities. The presence of any of these signs is a reason to consult a gynecologist.

The topic is very prosaic - sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). In recent years, rates of infection with sexually transmitted diseases have been steadily increasing. Unfortunately, this primarily concerns adolescents, due to the lack of proper sex education in schools and families. Statistics say that every 10 people on our planet suffer from STDs, not excluding children and the elderly.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a whole group of infectious diseases with diverse clinical manifestations, united by sexual transmission and a high social danger. The term appeared in 1980, and to date, over 20 types of infections and viruses are classified as STDs: from the deadly HIV infection to the banal chlamydia, which, by the way, cannot be called trivial either. Moreover, in terms of prevalence in Russia, it is in second place after the flu.

Based on the type of pathogen, STDs are divided as follows:

The World Health Organization classifies STDs as follows:

Typical sexually transmitted infections

gonorrhea;
syphilis;
lymphogranulomatosis (inguinal form);
chancroid.
granuloma venereal type.

Other STDs

which primarily affect the organs of the reproductive system:

urogenital shigellosis (occurs in persons with homosexual sexual intercourse);
trichomoniasis;
candidal lesions of the genital organs, manifested by balanoposthitis and vulvovaginitis;
mycoplasmosis;
herpes type 2;
gardnerellosis;
scabies;
genital warts;
chlamydia;
flat spots (pediculosis pubis);
molluscum contagiosum.

which primarily affect other organs and systems:

neonatal sepsis;
Hepatitis B;
Giardia;
cytomegalovirus;
AIDS;
amebiasis (typical for persons with homosexual contacts).

Often STDs are asymptomatic and are detected only at the stage of development of complications. Therefore, it is very important to pay due attention to their prevention: use contraception, avoid casual sexual contact, maintain hygiene and get tested twice a year as directed by a gynecologist or urologist.

Of course, most STDs are curable, but not all. For example, you will never be able to get rid of genital herpes - treatment only softens the course of the disease and reduces the frequency and severity of relapses. Only those under 25 have a chance to get rid of the human papillomavirus (HPV) forever. Later, it will not be possible to destroy the virus; the point of treatment is to eliminate the changes in the tissues affected by the virus.
By the way, it is believed that the human papillomavirus can cause cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulva and penis. The genital herpes virus also affects sperm, and if a woman is infected with it during pregnancy, it can cause severe congenital diseases of the fetus.

Note: Almost all viral and bacterial sexually transmitted diseases penetrate the placental barrier, that is, they are transmitted to the fetus in utero and disrupt its physiological development. Sometimes the consequences of such infection appear only several years after the birth of the child in the form of dysfunction of the heart, liver, kidneys, and developmental disorders.

Treatment will be successful only if it is started without delay and completed. How to spot the very first danger signals?

The alarm has been declared!

There are eight main signs, if you find them, you should not delay visiting a doctor.

Itching and burning in the intimate area.
Redness in the genital area and anus, sometimes - ulcers, blisters, pimples.
Discharge from the genitals, odor.
Frequent, painful urination.
Enlarged lymph nodes, especially in the groin area.
In women - pain in the lower abdomen, in the vagina.
Discomfort during sexual intercourse.
Cloudy urine.

However, for example, syphilis or chlamydia can appear several weeks after infection, and sometimes STDs can generally run latent for a long time, becoming chronic.

Regardless of the presence of unpleasant sensations in the genital area, a preventive visit to the doctor is necessary twice a year, as well as after casual sexual contact, sexual violence, or in case of infidelity of your regular partner. If you notice any symptoms of an STD, go to your appointment the same day.

Symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases in women

The presence of certain symptoms of STDs in women is explained by the characteristics of their physiology.

The following signs should alert a woman and become a reason for an emergency visit to the gynecologist:

pain and feeling of dryness during sex;
single or group enlargement of lymph nodes;
dysmenorrhea (disturbances in the normal menstrual cycle);
pain and discharge from the anus;
itching in the perineal area;
anal irritation;
rash on the labia or around the anus, mouth, or body;
unusual vaginal discharge (green, foamy, smelly, bloody);
frequent painful urge to urinate;
swelling of the vulva.

Sexually transmitted diseases in men: symptoms

You can suspect an STD in men based on the following signs::

blood in semen;
frequent and painful urge to urinate;
low-grade fever (not in all diseases);
problems with normal ejaculation;
pain in the scrotum;
discharge from the urethra (white, purulent, mucous, with an odor);
various types of rashes on the head of the penis, the penis itself, and around it.

Let's get to know each other better

Chlamydia

Symptoms. 1-4 weeks after infection with it, patients develop purulent discharge, painful urination, as well as pain in the lower abdomen, lower back, bleeding between menstruation in women, and pain in the scrotum and perineum in men.

Why is it dangerous? In women, it can lead to inflammation of the fallopian tubes, cervix, pathologies of pregnancy and childbirth, diseases of the liver, and spleen.
In men - to inflammation of the epididymis, prostate gland, bladder, and impaired potency. Newborns may develop conjunctivitis, nasopharyngeal lesions, and pneumonia.

Trichomoniasis

Symptoms. They can appear 4-21 days after infection, sometimes later. Women experience copious foamy discharge of a white or yellowish-green color with a pungent odor, causing severe itching and irritation of the genitals, as well as pain, burning during urination, and pain during sexual intercourse. Men experience a burning sensation when urinating, mucopurulent discharge from the urethra. However, this disease is often asymptomatic.

Why is it dangerous? In women, the cervix and inner layer of the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and urinary tract are affected. The infection can even cause peritonitis!
In men, the prostate gland, testicles and their appendages, and urinary tract are affected.

Mycoplasmosis (in men - ureaplasmosis)

Symptoms. It may reveal itself 3 days after infection, or maybe a month later, manifested by itching and discomfort in the genital area, scanty transparent discharge, and painful urination.

Why is it dangerous? A common complication in women is inflammation of the genital organs, in men - impaired spermatogenesis.

Gonorrhea

Symptoms. 3-7 days after infection, women experience yellowish-greenish vaginal discharge, frequent, painful urination, pain in the lower abdomen, and sometimes bloody discharge. However, for most representatives of the fairer sex, the disease goes unnoticed for a long time. Men experience pain and burning when urinating, yellowish-greenish purulent discharge from the urethra.

Why is it dangerous? In women, the urethra, vagina, anus, uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes are affected. In men, the internal genital organs develop chronic inflammation of the epididymis, seminal vesicles, and prostate, which threatens impotence and infertility.

Syphilis

Symptoms. The incubation period of the disease is from 3 to 6 weeks. The first sign is a round ulcer (chancre). In women, it lives on the labia or vaginal mucosa (sometimes in the anus, in the mouth, on the lips), in men - on the penis or scrotum. In itself, it is painless, but a week or two after its appearance, the nearest lymph nodes enlarge.
This is the time to start treatment! This is the first stage of the disease, when everything is still reversible.

2-4 months after infection, the second stage develops - a rash “spreads” throughout the body, high fever and headache appear, and almost all lymph nodes become enlarged.
In some patients, hair falls out on the head, and wide condylomas grow on the genitals and in the anus.

Why is it dangerous? This disease is called slow death: if it is not fully treated in time, serious problems arise with the musculoskeletal system, irreversible changes occur in the internal organs and nervous system - the third stage of the disease begins, in which approximately a quarter of patients die.

Forget about the Internet!

Noticed something is wrong? It’s better to play it safe and hurry to see a doctor, rather than look for symptoms and treatment methods on the Internet.

How are STDs diagnosed? First - an examination by a doctor, then - tests and studies. The most modern method of DNA diagnostics: PCR (polymerase chain reaction). For examination, scrapings are taken from the urethra, vagina and cervix.

Doctors also use the ELISA method (blood is taken from a vein or a scraping is made and the presence of antibodies to STDs is determined), bacterioscopy (most often detects gonococci and trichomonas) and many other diagnostic methods.

STDs are treated with antibacterial drugs, as well as local procedures (washing the urethra in men, sanitizing the vagina in women and other procedures).
At the end of the course of treatment, you must undergo a follow-up examination - take several tests to make sure there is no infection in the body.

What is important to know

Is it possible to get infected in a bathhouse or swimming pool?

In fact, the likelihood of contracting an STD through everyday contact is very low. Microorganisms that cause sexually transmitted diseases are unstable in the external environment. In a swimming pool, for example, it is almost impossible to pick up such an infection (unlike a fungal or intestinal infection). Even if an HIV-infected person or someone with syphilis is swimming in the water next to you, chlorinated water will quickly kill the pathogens.

However, in public toilets, if surfaces are not properly cleaned, there is a risk of infection with the papilloma virus or herpes. But classic sexually transmitted diseases - syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis - require contact with blood or mucous membranes.
The exception is syphilis: it can be transmitted through saliva if you share dishes with the patient and do not wash them well. So, in any case, you should not forget about the rules of hygiene.

Keep in mind: on a short time microorganisms that cause “bad” infections can remain viable on warm, damp things. Therefore, in a bathhouse or swimming pool (and at home too), do not use someone else’s wet towel, washcloth or other personal hygiene items.

Do symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease appear immediately?

Not always. With good immunity, a disease (for example, chlamydia) can last for years without symptoms. A person may not even know that they are sick. And the only way to detect such a hidden infection is through laboratory tests.

The first signs of infection in women are unusual vaginal discharge. In men - urethritis (inflammation of the urethra). Its symptoms are difficulty urinating and purulent discharge. All other symptoms (rashes, swollen lymph nodes, etc.) appear when the infection has already spread in the body.

Is a condom reliable protection against STDs?

Yes. If it is of high quality, has not expired, is correctly sized and used correctly, then the risk of contracting most STDs is reduced to zero.
The exception is external condylomas and severe herpes infection.

By the way, spermicidal lubricant with nonoxynol-9, which is used to treat condoms, does not protect against STDs, according to a 2001 WHO report. By damaging cell membranes, nonoxynol-9 spares neither sperm, nor infections, nor the mucous membranes of the genital organs. By damaging the mucous membrane of the vagina and cervix, nonoxynol-9 “opens the gates” to infections.

Although the condom is not a perfect means of preventing STDs, it is considered the most effective. Therefore, it is necessary to use condoms for all types of sex: vaginal, anal and oral.
To avoid increasing the risks, you should purchase condoms only from reputable pharmacies. To avoid damaging the condom, do not open the package with a file or your fingernails.

You need to remember: a condom can only be used in conjunction with special lubricants. Regular creams and ointments are not suitable for this.
A common mistake is to use birth control suppositories, vaginal pills or spermicidal creams along with a condom. Gynecologists warn that these drugs disrupt the vaginal microflora and provoke the development of candidiasis (thrush). Thus, instead of getting rid of problems, you can acquire them.

If you want to protect yourself as much as possible, it is enough to use a condom correctly and observe personal hygiene measures. High degree of protection and practically complete absence side effects are a definite advantage of condoms. However, it should be remembered that the condom may break, in which case you should have emergency preventive measures on hand.

Emergency drug prevention is also used - a one-time dose or injection of antibacterial drugs, which can only be prescribed by a dermatovenerologist. The procedure helps prevent gonorrhea, chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis, syphilis and trichomoniasis. But this method cannot be used often.

But you shouldn’t count on various gels, suppositories and vaginal tablets in terms of protection against STDs. These products contain spermicidal substances in insufficient quantities to protect at least 80-90%. In addition, the causative agents of many STDs do not live in the seminal fluid, but on the genitals and are insensitive to spermicides.
The same applies to douching after sexual intercourse with special gels or chlorine-containing antiseptics.

Remember!
Sexually transmitted diseases are dangerous, first of all, due to complications: infertility, impotence, chronic inflammatory processes, damage to the nervous system and internal organs. Incorrect treatment, ignoring symptoms, and neglecting preventive measures can have a detrimental effect on your health.

What can you do in an emergency?

So, what to do after unprotected sex if you are unsure about your partner's health?

Urinate copiously.
Wash your hands and external genitalia with soap.
Treat the genitals, pubis and thighs with an antiseptic (miramistin, chlorhexidine and others). This technique helps reduce the risk of STDs by 80-90%. But not 100%. So the best prevention is a condom and common sense.
If it is not possible to visit a doctor in the next 24 hours, take a “load” dose of antibiotics.
Contact your doctor as soon as possible.

It makes sense to consult a doctor within 5 days after unprotected sex. There is emergency drug treatment that can prevent the development of syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases.
But it will not help against HIV and human papillomavirus (HPV).
Blood is donated for hepatitis, syphilis and HIV 3 months after contact. There is no point in getting tested earlier: antibodies to these diseases do not appear in the blood immediately after infection.

Following these precautions will reduce the likelihood of infection and the severity of its possible consequences.

The sexual freedom that modern people are used to enjoying has its pitfalls: according to WHO, currently every tenth person, including children and the elderly, suffers from one or another STD. Every 15 seconds, a diagnosis of sexually transmitted infection is made somewhere in the world. To maintain your health and not endanger your partner, timely prevention and treatment are required.

The constant increase in the number of sexually transmitted diseases does not indicate the difficulty of prevention, but the irresponsible attitude of most people towards their health and their ignorance in this matter. Patients are often embarrassed to see a doctor when symptoms arise and try to make do with folk remedies. This is fraught with irreversible consequences for their health.

***
The only effective folk remedy for preventing STDs is complete sexual abstinence :).
Plus: it's free. Disadvantage: does not exclude the possibility of infection through domestic means and in the event of violence.
Based on materials