Any form of sexual activity, including vaginal intercourse and genital touching, can cause STD, which stands for sexually transmitted disease. STD is also referred to as STI, which stands for sexually transmitted infection.
Regardless of whether you have had one partner or whatever your sexual orientation is, you are vulnerable to STD, which is why you need to understand its symptoms and get yourself and your partner tested.
Here is what you should know about STDs and their prevention.
The Importance of Getting Tested
First things first – you need to get tested. You might want to opt for std testing dalton ga, so you can know for sure that neither you nor your partner is infected. You might have been using condoms, which are indeed highly effective for decreasing the risk of STDs; however, the truth is that no method is a hundred percent foolproof.
If you feel you have STD, you need to see a doctor right away so you can be evaluated and treated if needed. Some STDs are easy to cure, whereas others are more complicated to manage and treat. However, the thing about untreated STDs is that they drastically increase your chances of getting further STDs and even HIV.
This aspect is linked to the fact that STDs tend to stimulate an immune response in the genital area to the point of causing sores, which then simultaneously increases the risk of HIV transmission. In some cases, untreated STDs can turn into cancers, organ damage, and death.
STDs Symptoms
Before we check out the symptoms of STDs, it is important to mention here that many STDs have no symptoms, which is why they remain undetected before it is too late. This aspect also indicates that you might have no symptoms, but you could still pass on the infection to your partner.
So, if you are sexually active, you might have to get yourself tested frequently; however, you can significantly decrease the chances of getting STDs by using condoms. Nonetheless, let us have a look at some of the tell-tale symptoms of STDs.
Symptoms of Chlamydia
This STD is a bacterial infection of the genital tract, and the symptoms typically occur three weeks after the affected person has been exposed to this SYD. The symptoms include the following:
- Painful urination
- Penis discharge in men
- Vaginal discharge in women
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Pain in the lower abdomen
Symptoms of Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is another type of STD that affects the genital tract; however, the bacteria can grow in your eyes, mouth, throat, and anus. Usually, the first symptoms of this STD appear after more than a week of exposure.
Some people can be infected for months before finding out that they are suffering from an STD. The typical symptoms of gonorrhea include the following:
- Itching in the anus
- Bloody, cloudy, and thick discharge from the vagina
- Heavy menstrual cycle and bleeding in between the cycle.
- Swollen and painful testicles
- Bloody, cloudy, and thick discharge from the penis
- Painful bowel movements
It is important to mention here that you can prevent, manage, and cure STDs by practicing protected sex and by visiting your doctor regularly for tests and checkups.
