A sexually transmitted disease (STD) is an illness that is spread via sexual contact, and unfortunately, statistics show that one in two people will contract an STD before they are 25 years of age. While STDs are the most difficult diseases to catch due to the fact that you have to be up close and intimate with someone to contract them, they are still quite common. Why? Not enough individuals know how to identify an infected partner, treat these infections, or practice preventative measures effectively. So which sexually transmitted diseases are the most common?
1. Chlamydia
This is one of the most common STDs, but fortunately, it is very curable. If you find that you have contracted chlamydia, all you need to do in most cases is visit your health clinic for an antibiotic. When a woman is infected, it affects her cervix and in a man, the urethra is harmed. While this is a disease that is easily cured, it isn’t easy for someone to realize that they have it as symptoms may not show for weeks, even months. If you think that you have been exposed to chlamydia, get checked as soon as possible, as it can cause irreparable damage if left untreated.
2. Gonorrhea
Also known as “the clap”, this is a disease that infects the same body parts as chlamydia and shows similar symptoms. And just like chlamydia, symptoms can lie dormant for some time. However, symptoms of the disease include a burning sensation when urinating, as well as yellow or green discharge from the penis, if a male has the disease. Keep in mind that gonorrhea can also infect the throat if contracted via oral sex.
3. Syphilis
This is a disease that is quite scary. It can be contracted from oral, vaginal, and anal sex, and wearing a condom does not eliminate the risk of getting it. Syphilis causes sores to pop up around the infected area(s) of the body, and the disease is very harmful if left untreated.
4. HIV/AIDS
This is an STD that is well known, especially for the fact that it is very, very deadly. It can only be contracted by the exchange of bodily fluids, such as semen and blood. While the disease is no longer a death sentence per se, it is a viral infection that is not yet able to be cured.
In conclusion, it is very important to practice safe sex. Also, don’t think that you are safe from contracting an STD even though you sleep with only one partner. Make sure that you are regularly getting checked to ensure that if you ever did contract something it could be treated as soon as possible.