{"id":509,"date":"2016-04-07T12:58:26","date_gmt":"2016-04-07T04:58:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shimclinic.com\/blog\/?p=509"},"modified":"2016-11-17T13:16:24","modified_gmt":"2016-11-17T05:16:24","slug":"10-common-stds-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shimclinic.com\/blog\/10-common-stds-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"10\u00a0common STDs you need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sexually transmitted diseases<\/a> are infections transmitted through sexual intercourse or contact. These diseases can have grave consequences if not treated well. Below is a list of the most common ones and how one can get tested for each.<\/p>\n

Syphilis<\/h2>\n

Treponema pallidum is the bacterium responsible for this disease. It occurs after direct contact with syphilis<\/a> sores which can be in the mouth, vagina or penis. Chancres, small painless sores that appear in the early stages may heal by themselves but that does not mean that the disease is completely treated. A blood test (can be either nontreponemal or treponemal) or a urine test can be done to test for the disease.<\/p>\n

Gonorrhea<\/h2>\n

Gonorrhea<\/a>, also known as \u201cthe clap\u201d, this is also a bacterial disease that infects both men (urethra) and women (cervix). \u00a0It can also affect the throat as a result of oral sex with an infected person. The disease is dangerous because it may not necessarily have symptoms to show its presence. \u00a0Urines samples can be taken to test for the STI. Also, a sample of body fluid collected from the infected area can be collected for testing at a STD testing<\/a> center.<\/p>\n

Trichomoniasis<\/h2>\n

Trichomoniasis<\/a> has been reported to be the most common STD among young sexually active women. Most of its cases go un-noticed because some people mistake it for yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis due to similar symptoms. The disease can also affect men although it may not show symptoms. \u00a0The STD has various testing options such antigens test, DNA tests, cell culture tests and testing of a sample from the urethra in men and vaginal discharge in women under a microscope. Find out more at your nearest STD clinic<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Human Immunodeficiency Virus<\/h2>\n

Popularly known as HIV<\/a>, is an infection caused by a virus that attacks the body\u2019s immune system therefore making the body weak. The virus attacks the white blood cells which are responsible for fighting infections and diseases in the body. This is a dangerous infection because if it is not treated, it can lead to suffering from AIDS<\/a>. Blood tests are carried out to test for the viral infection. It is especially encouraged for sexually active individuals who may have contracted other STIs and STDs in the past.<\/p>\n

Chlamydia<\/h2>\n

Caused by the bacteria Chlamydia<\/a> Trachomatis, this STI is the most common of them all affecting men and women of the younger population of sexually active people. Like gonorrhea, chlamydia does not necessarily have symptoms. This makes the disease even more dangerous as many people can pass it along not knowing that they have contracted it. The two most common tests for the STI are swab tests and urine tests that are available at any STD testing centers.<\/p>\n

Candidiasis<\/h2>\n

Candidiasis<\/a> is a fungal infection that affects 3 in every 4 women at some point in their lives. This yeast infection recurs often and is transmitted via vaginal intercourse. Candidiasis is easy to test and treat. To test for yeast infection, a simple physical examination is done on the vaginal area using a cotton swab.<\/p>\n

Genital Herpes<\/h2>\n

Genital herpes<\/a> is an extremely infectious STD caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) strain. Genital herpes causes painful blister-like sores in the penis and scrotum in men and labia and vagina in women. There are three tests done to determine existence of genital herpes:<\/p>\n