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The Most Common Sexually Transmitted Diseases of Our Times

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Sexually transmitted diseases have been around for centuries; they’re not a modern invention, unfortunately. Some are easily treatable, others require extensive treatment, while for a few others, there is yet no cure. Find out about the most common sexually transmitted diseases below.

AIDS

The plague of the century, AIDS is one of those diseases for which humanity has no cure, unfortunately. It is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and it has claimed the lives of more than 34 million people worldwide. Every year around 2 million people die of AIDS or AIDS-related illnesses. People can live with HIV, due to breakthrough discoveries in the field of medicine, but infected people in more inferior parts of the world, such as Africa, do not have access to such treatment.

Syphilis

It is a sexually transmitted disease that used to be deadly but is now curable. With early detection, the infected individual requires only a single shot of penicillin G, and they will be cured. There are four different stages in which the illness can present itself, the primary involving a chancre that appears in the place of contact. If not treated, they may persist for up to six weeks and then heal by themselves. If you notice any open wounds on your genitals or body and you know you’ve had unprotected sex, then immediately go to a laboratory to get tested. For the Western world, testing is straightforward to do; for example, sexual infection testing in Los Angeles will merely require you to call or email ahead and then go in and get tested.

Chlamydia

Usually noticeable after a few weeks from the point of infection, due to the asymptomatic character of the early stages of the disease, chlamydia will cause painful urination, discharge from the penis or the vagina, and pain during sex in women. It is curable; make sure your partner also receives treatment even though they may experience no symptoms.

Gonorrhea

This, too, can be tricky to spot from the beginning; symptoms can appear after two days or a few months from the time of infection. If you have anal itching, abnormal menstrual bleeding, thick discharge, painful testicles, and burning while urinating, you may have gonorrhea. Get yourself checked to establish a treatment.

Trichomoniasis

In men, trich could cause no symptoms whatsoever, but when it does, it is usually some discharge from the penis, itching, and irritation. In women, some strong vaginal odor, greenish vaginal discharge, and pain during sexual intercourse may be present. A week of medication will clear it right up, but don’t ignore it; it could cause some permanent damage to your reproductive system.