Gonorrhea is a common bacterial STD. It is treated with antibiotics. However, if left untreated, it could cause serious health problems in women like PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) which could lead to infertility (inability to get pregnant). If left untreated in men, it could also lead to infertility because the bacteria may spread to the vas deferens (the tubes that carry sperm) and cause scarring. Curvature of the penis may also occur.

Chlamydia is also a common STD and is treated with antibiotics. If left untreated, it could cause serious health problems in women like PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) which could lead to infertility (inability to get pregnant). If left untreated in men, it could lead to a painful infection that can require hospitalization, permanent damage to the reproductive organs, and the inability to have children.

Symptoms for Chlamydia include:

Females:

• Any vaginal itching or yellowish discharge
• Pain and/or spotting with intercourse
• External tenderness in the vaginal area
• Sever pelvic pain with fever · Pain with urination
• Often, there are no symptoms

Males:

• Burning or itching around the opening of the penis
• Yellowish discharge from the penis
• Pain or burning with urination
• Pain or swelling of the scrotum
• Often, there are no symptoms

Syphilis is a well-known bacterial STD that is treated with antibiotics.

There are three stages to syphilis:

Stage one:

• Painless red sores called chancres in and around the genitals
• Swollen lymph nodes

Stage two:

• Skin rash, which often appears on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet

Stage three:

• Heart, nervous system, and other internal organs may be affected

Without treatment, the symptoms may go away. However, the disease remains in the body and may cause severe health problems, even death.

Trichomonas is a highly contagious STD for both men and women. It is treated with antibiotics and is curable.

Although it can be asymptomatic (meaning no symptoms are present),
it is often associated with the following symptoms:

• Greenish-yellow discharge that may have a foul smell
• Patchy rash in the genital area
• Irritation and soreness in the genital area and thighs
• Painful intercourse and urination

Genital Herpes has become one of the most common STDs in the country. It is spread by skin to skin contact during sexual intercourse. Symptoms of genital herpes usually occur within 2 to 10 days of sexual contact and can last for up to 2 to 3 weeks. However, some people who are exposed to this virus may never experience an outbreak.

Symptoms may include:

• Tingling, burning, or itching in the genital area
• Small painful blisters on the genitals and/or buttocks
• Headache, fever, malaise
• Burning or stinging during urination

There is no known cure for genital herpes. However, there are medications that can make the outbreaks less severe and less frequent.

Genital Warts are caused by HPV (Human Papillomavirus) and are spread from person to person through direct vaginal, anal, or oral contact.

Symptoms of Genital Warts include:

• Painless, fleshy, cauliflower-like growths that grow singly or in groups
• Genital warts may be found on the external genitals, but may also appear in the vagina or anal canal where they are less visible and less easily detected.

There is no cure for genital warts. They can be removed, but they often come back. Removal includes surgical methods or topical chemical treatments like TCA (Trichloroacetic Acid).

Hepatitis B is a viral and potentially deadly STD. It can be transmitted through sexual contact or contact with blood, semen, and vaginal fluids. Hepatitis B is more common and more transmissible than HIV.

Symptoms include:

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes)
• Fatigue (feeling tired)
• Pain in the abdomen
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Unfortunately, there is no cure for Hepatitis B. This infection is very serious and it can cause chronic hepatitis, severe liver damage, liver cancer, and even death. However, it can be prevented through a series of vaccinations. These vaccinations are recommended for people with multiple sex partners, people who have been previously diagnosed with a STD, users of illegal drugs, people traveling to certain foreign countries, and health care workers.

Call Dimensions Medical Center today and find out if you should have the Hepatitis B vaccination. (800) 553-3939

Hepatitis C is a disease of the liver caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV).

You may be at risk for Hepatitis C if you:

• Were notified that you received blood from a donor who later tested positive for Hepatitis C
• Have ever injected illegal drugs, even if it was many years ago
• Received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before July 1992
• Were a recipient of a clotting factor made before 1987
• Have ever been on long-term kidney dialysis
• Have evidence of liver disease (e.g., persistently abnormal ALT levels in the blood)

PID is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Gonorrhea and Chlamydia, either alone or together, are common causes of PID. This disease is one of the major causes of infertility, ectopic pregnancy (where pregnancy occurs outside of the uterus), and chronic pelvic pain.

Symptoms of PID:

• Lower abdominal pain and discomfort
• Fever
• Vaginal discharge
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Nausea
• Vomiting

PID should be treated immediately with antibiotics. When the condition is severe, a woman with PID may be hospitalized.

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) and is one of the deadliest of all STDs. This virus can be passed from person to person through contact with bodily fluids, usually semen or blood. On an average it takes about 10 years for HIV to progress to AIDS.

Symptoms of HIV:

• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Extreme fatigue
• Swollen lymph nodes (lumps in armpits, neck, groin)
• Fever
• Pneumonia
• Severe outbreaks of herpes
• Cancer of the lymph nodes or immune system

The HIV virus kills the cells of the immune system reducing a person's defense against opportunistic infections, such as pneumonia. Unfortunately, there is no cure for HIV or AIDS and it is almost always fatal. However, there are treatments available that can help slow the deterioration of the immune system.