STD Transmission
STDs or sexually transmitted diseases are infectious diseases that are transmitted from one person to another through different sexual activities. The most common ways to transmit STDs are through vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
According to research, more than 20% of the population that is sexually active has at least one STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection). Moreover, most STIs do not cause clear and alarming symptoms which could get individuals to get tested in a timely manner. This leads to complications that could have been treated if the infection was identified earlier.
Nowadays, labs allow modern testing thanks to PCR molecular diagnostics. These methods are extremely sensitive and can detect even the smallest number of
microorganisms in samples that are taken from patients. Additionally, awareness regarding STDs is considered to be very low among the population, and that being said preventive measures are key but still do not guarantee 100% protection. Overall, early detection is very important in order to start with adequate therapy which could in some cases be lifesaving.
The Classification of sexually transmitted diseases:
Depending on the cause, STDs are divided into bacterial, fungal, viral, parasitic, and protozoal infections.
Bacterial
- chancroid (caused by Haemophilus ducrei)
- chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis)
- granuloma inguinale (Klebsiell granulomatis),
- gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae), syphilis (Treponema pallidum)
Fungal
Fungi of the genus Candida
Viral
- viral hepatitis (Hepatitis B, and hepatitis D but only if at the same time there is a hep infection. B),
- herpes (HSV types 1 and 2)
- HIV
- HPV, Molluscum contagiosum
Parasites
pubic lice (Pthirius pubis), scabies (Sarcoptes scabiei)
Protozoa
Tricomoniasis (Tricomonas vaginales)
