Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is not an STD but is closely linked to sexual activities. This condition occurs when normal bacteria overgrows and disrupts the natural balance of the vagina. Researchers believe that sexual activities change the vaginal environments. This infection is often indicated by unusual vaginal discharge that is gray or off-white in color and emits a strong fishy smell. Find out how BV differs from yeast infection and trichomoniasis, its risk factors and treatments in this article.

Itchy or painful lesions and open wounds are typical symptoms of an STI. However, lesions resulting from donovanosis are often painless. Donovanosis or Granuloma inguinale is a sexually transmitted disease not many people have heard of. It is categorized as an ulcerative STI along with herpes and syphilis. This STI often begins with the emergence of painless bumps or lumps before progressing into red and tender lesions. In this article, get more familiar with the disease as you learn about its symptoms, how it spreads, how it is diagnosed, treated and prevented. 

Scientists have always been working on finding a safe and effective HIV vaccine. While so many advancements have been made over the past 4 decades since HIV was first discovered, inventing an HIV vaccine proves to be daunting and challenging. In March 2022, NIAID in collaboration with Moderna conducted a clinical trial of 3 experimental HIV vaccines utilizing the messenger RNA technology, a technology used in the discovery of the first two licensed COVID-19 vaccines. These vaccines work by triggering the body’s immune response to a certain pathogen.

STDs can increase the risk of HIV transmission. Several STDs changes the cell lining in the vagina, penis, mouth or rectum and cause lesions on the skin or organ surfaces that facilitate HIV transmission. The other way this can happen is when immune cells are trying to fight inflammation caused by existing STDs and HIV tries to infect these immune cells. In this article, we discuss which particular STDs increases the chances of you getting infected with HIV why it happens

HPV is indeed one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. While HPV types 16 and 18 are hazardous and can lead to cervical cancer, strains 6 and 11 can develop into an uncomfortable health condition called genital warts. Despite being relatively harmless, genital warts are still contagious and can spread without the presence of visible symptoms. In this article, we take a closer look at how genital warts spread, its symptoms, diagnosis, treatments and prevention methods.

Chancroid, a sexually transmitted disease caused by a bacterium called Haemophilus ducreyi. Mostly discovered in developing countries and more prevalent in heterosexual males, this infection starts as tender bumps filled with pus that will become genital ulcers and open sores. If left untreated, chancroid may facilitate the acquisition and transmission of HIV among heterosexuals. In this article, find detailed information on how the disease is transmitted, its risk factors, diagnosis and available treatments.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a condition resulting from bacteria. Oftentimes, the main culprits that lead to this health problem are chlamydia and gonorrhea. The transmitted bacteria can spread to the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. If left untreated, PID can cause severe health conditions such as infertility, ectopic pregnancies, chronic pelvic pain and tubo-ovarian abscess. In this article, we dive deeper into the risk factors, symptoms, complications, and steps that can reduce the risks of PID.

A more rare form of chlamydia, Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is caused by serotypes L1, L2 and L3. If the first main strain of chlamydia is known to affect the genital and urinary areas, LGV attacks the lymphatic system. The first telltale sign of LGV is small skin lesions and is often followed by the swelling of lymph nodes in the groin, pelvic areas or cervix. As with other STDs, if left untreated, LGV can result in severe health conditions such as hemorrhoid-like growths. In this article, we uncover this Chlamydia strain in depth.