STD’s/STI’s

Caused by the simplex viruses’ type 1 and type 2. Most genital infections are caused by HSV-2. Transmission can occur whether a sore is present or not. There is no cure but the symptoms can be lessened with treatment.

A bacterial infection affecting primarily men. This disease is passed by direct contact with a syphilis sore called a chancre. Chancres can appear anywhere on the body where sexual activity has occurred. Left untreated, syphilis can damage internal organs including the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver and bones. Penicillin is used in the early stages to treat syphilis.

Symptoms in women are often mild, and most women who are infected have no symptoms. Even when a woman has symptoms, they can be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. In men, gonorrhea causes painful sores and usually is accompanied by a painful urination and discharge. Untreated Gonorrhea can cause serious and permanent health problems. 

An infection caused by a protozoan parasite and is considered the most common and curable STD. Trich is more common in women. A frothy discharge is the primary symptom. This disease is treatable.

Human Papilloma Virus is the primary cause of cervical cancer. At least 50 percent of sexually active men and women acquire a genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. Most HPV infections have no signs or symptoms; therefore, most infected people are unaware they are infected, yet they can transmit the virus to a sex partner.  HPV contributes to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease which can lead to infertility when not treated. HPV has no cure.

There are still over 1 million people living with HIV in the United States. About one-fourth of those have not yet been diagnosed and are unaware of their infection. HIV causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome which weakens the immune system and routinely leads to death. The only way to know if you are infected is to be tested. Modern medicine has successfully treated the symptoms of AIDS but the medications are expensive.