All About STDs

In the United States, the most highly developed country in the world, there are more than 15 million occurrences of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) each year. The rate of curable STDs in the United States is higher than the rate of STDs in some developing countries. Men and women, whether they are pregnant or not, are screened for STDs by less than one out of three doctors.

If caught at the onset, most STDs can be readily cured. A lack of symptoms mean that many people don't know about their infection and don't know that they need to seek treatment. Even when symptoms do manifest, many people still abstain from seeking treatment, not understanding their symptoms are signs of a more serious infection.

Educating people about STDs and their transmission will greatly lower the risks of spreading infections. STDs without symptoms pose the greatest risks and those at risk for catching an STD should undergo testing to determine if they are infected. Making STD testing a regular part medical care is an easy step to reducing their effect and prevalence.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea (CT/GC)

Bacterial STDs are especially common with people under the age of 25. Chlamydia and gonorrhea (CT/GV) infect around 3 million Americans every year. Of those infected, 2 million people, or two-thirds of the infected, do not have noticeable symptoms. The bacteria that cause these infections can grow in the urethra of both women and men or in the reproductive tract of women.

Almost any type of sexual contact can spread CT/GC. Repeated sexual contact with an infected individual can cause repeat occurrences, even in those who have already sought treatment.

In order to stem the spread of infection and prevent long-term health complications, diagnosis and treatment are crucial. The nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) is the preferred method of testing and bases the results on amplification of DNA present in the bacteria by using a first-void urine specimen.

Herpes type 1 and type 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2)

HSV-2 causes genital herpes. Genital HSV-2 infections affect 16.2% of people in the United States. Sexual contact with an individual who has a genital HSV-2 infection is almost the only way to spread the HSV-2 infection.

"Fever blisters" that appear on the mouth and lips are actually caused by HSV-1 infections. HSV-1 usually infects only the oral region but it can infect the genital region. HSV-1 can be transmitted by genital-genital or by oral-genital contact with another individual who has an HSV-1 infection.

To discern the difference between HSV-1 and HSV-2, a blood test that uses IgG analyses can be used. These highly sensitive analyses work by determining the difference in a patient's immune response to HSV glycoprotein G (gG).

HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) might not show clinical signs for years and works by attacking the cells of immune system. HIV-positive people are more prone to catching other diseases because the virus weakens the immune system's defenses.

The sharing of needles or syringes with an infected partner can transmit HIV. The secretions of bodily fluids during intercourse, be it oral, vaginal or anal, can also transmit HIV.

The 2 main methods used to test for HIV are:

ELISA/WB: The first test usually used to detect HIV is the Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with Western Blot confirmation (WB). The test is repeated if any HIV antibodies are found. There is a low chance of a false-negative from this test in the first weeks following infection. A Western Blot test is performed should the ELISA provide two positive results. It is a more complex and expensive test.

PCR/DNA: PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction and is a useful test for recent infections. This test can be done only a few days after exposure to HIV. It works by finding the RNA of the HIV virus or by finding HIV DNA in infected white blood cells. If other tests come back negative, it is still possible for genetic material to be found. This test may yield results where antibody tests were unclear.

Hepatitis B and C (HBV and HCV)

The Hepatitis B and C viruses infect the liver. Hepatitis B can have no symptoms or have symptoms that mimic those of the flu. You can pass the virus to others for the duration you have it. The hepatitis C virus can cause liver damage, liver failure, and cirrhosis liver cancer.

Either of these viruses are capable of causing a long-term infection that can damage the liver. HCV and HBV are spread through intercourse, though experts are debating this possibility, the sharing of a needle with an infected person, or contact with infected blood.

Several ways to test for HBV exist. The earliest sign of active infection comes though an antigen which can be present before symptoms present. It is called the hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg).

There are also several ways to test for the HCV virus. HCV antibodies (HCV AB) can be present in those without symptoms and a screening test can be done to determine the presence of any HCV AB. Antibodies are substances in the blood that have been produced to respond to a virus. The presence of an antibody shows that a person has been exposed to a virus during his or her lifetime. In the presence of an antibody, a second test will most probably be ordered by a doctor to verify if the virus is still in the bloodstream.





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