Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are among the most common infectious diseases in the United States today. More than 20 different STDs have been identified, and 13 million men and women are infected each year in the United States. Depending on the disease, the infection can be spread through any type of sexual activity involving the sex organs or the mouth; the infection can also be spread through contact with blood during sexual activity.

HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B are viral infections that can be transmitted sexually, from mother to baby during birth or through infected blood. There are presently no cures for these diseases but they can be managed with antivirals and other medicines. Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease. Vaccine is available to prevent contracting Hepatitis B, which can also be transmitted via infected blood. HIV/AIDS can destroy a person’s natural disease resistance system leaving him or her vulnerable to a number of different conditions.

The most effective way to prevent sexual transmission of STIs is to avoid contact of body parts or fluids which can lead to transfer, not necessarily any sexual activity with an infected partner. No contact equals no risk, not all sexual activities involve contact, such as cybersex phonesex or masturbation from a distance are methods of avoiding contact. Ideally, both partners should get tested for STIs before initiating sexual contact, or if a partner engaged in contact with someone else, but even then, certain STIs, particularly certain persistent viruses like HPV, may be impossible to detect with current medical procedures as they may be asymptomatic.

If you have an sexually transmitted diseases caused by bacteria or parasites, your health care provider can treat it with antibiotics or other medicines. If you have an STD caused by a virus, there is no cure. Sometimes medicines can keep the disease under control. Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not completely eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading STDs.

Talk with your doctor, nurse, or a lactation consultant about the risk of passing the STD to your baby while breastfeeding. If you have either chlamydia or gonorrhea, you can keep breastfeeding. If you have syphilis or herpes, you can keep breastfeeding as long as the sores are covered. Syphilis and herpes are spread through contact with sores and can be dangerous to your newborn. If you have sores on your nipple or areola (darker skin around the nipple), you should stop breastfeeding on that breast. Pump or hand express your milk from that breast until the sore clears.

How can sexually transmitted diseases be avoided?

The less sexual partners a person has, the lower the risk of infection.

Most sexually transmitted diseases can be avoided to a large extent by practicing safe sex (eg using condoms).

Most sexually transmitted diseases can be cured if they are diagnosed and treated in their early stages.

Tags: Sexually Transmitted Diseases sexually transmitted diseases information sexually transmitted diseases treatment

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