TOP 7 most common sexually transmitted diseases
Sexually transmitted diseases in medicine are called sexually transmitted infections (mainly), now they are called STIs. Some of them are life-threatening. Despite the fact that most diseases of this kind are treatable, they are ubiquitous, and there is no downward trend in incidence. Moreover, some of them are rapidly "getting younger": according to statistics, one third of young people aged 16-22 suffer from some kind of ailments received during sexual contact. Consider 7 sexually transmitted diseases that are common in the world.
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Human papillomavirus infection
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common infection that affects the skin and mucous membranes. According to the WHO, more than 60% of people with regular sex life are infected with HPV. Most often, the virus carrier is asymptomatic, and with a decrease in immunity, HPV leads to the formation of flat and genital warts on the membranes of the vagina, vulva, urethra, cervix. The virus is not as harmless as it seems - there are oncogenic strains of the papillomavirus, and it has been reliably established that it is they who are responsible for more than 90% of cases of cervical cancer.
Ureaplasmosis
The most harmless of the existing genital tract infections. The disease is caused by the smallest bacteria - ureaplasmas, which live on the mucous membranes of the genital organs. Asymptomatic carriers of ureaplasmosis are about 50% of men and women. Ureaplasmas exist in the human body for years, not showing themselves in any way, however, with an imbalance, microflora begin to develop rapidly, leading to violations of various kinds. In a chronic form, the infection can cause inflammation of the uterine appendages, prostate gland, urolithiasis, urethritis, and even premature birth. Treatment of ureaplasmosis is carried out with pronounced signs of the disease - unpleasant sensations in the genital area (burning sensation, clear discharge, heaviness in the lower abdomen).
Genital herpes
According to statistics, every tenth adult person is a carrier of genital herpes, but only 20% of them know about it. In more than half of the cases, the disease is asymptomatic, which does not exclude sexual transmission. Belonging to one of the types of herpes simplex virus, the disease can affect not only the genitals (vagina, its vestibule, the cervix), but also the lips (with oral contact), as well as the rectum. Its characteristic manifestation is a rash of bubbles that are prone to unification, which, bursting, form painful ulcers.
The insidiousness of the disease is that, once in the body, the herpes virus remains in the nerve cells forever and under the influence of negative factors (past illness, hypothermia, stress) can cause a new exacerbation. In advanced forms, genital herpes often causes urethritis, vesiculitis, prostatitis and even cervical cancer.
Syphilis
In our ranking, syphilis occupies the "honorable" fourth place in terms of prevalence among the population. In Russia, for every 100 thousand people, 186 are infected with pale treponema, the probability of transmission of which with unprotected intercourse is about 30%, and by everyday means (with a kiss, body contact) - less than 10%.
Manifesting in the form of a sluggish disease with characteristic external signs (ulcers, chancre, rash), in the absence of treatment, the disease can affect the nervous system, internal organs and lead to death.
Gonorrhea
It is a classic venereal disease, which is sexually transmitted in almost 100% of cases, although there are also isolated cases of its transmission when using common hygiene items. WHO estimates that more than 62 million infections occur annually around the world, with an increasing number of young people aged 15-24 being infected.
Getting into the intercellular space, the pathogen causes acute inflammation, leading to diseases of the vagina, uterus, appendages, testicles and other organs (mouth, larynx, rectum, and in advanced cases of the heart, liver, brain). If gonorrhea is not cured within 2 months, the disease becomes chronic and can cause serious complications: infertility, blindness and, if untreated, death.
Chancre (chancroid)
Sexually transmitted disease, widespread in the countries of Southeast Asia, Africa, South America, but rare in Russia. It is believed that people who have promiscuous sex life are most susceptible to the disease, but in some cases the pathogen can be transmitted by household contact. As a result of infection with streptobacillus at the site of its penetration (most often the genitals, less often the lips, anus, fingers), painful deep ulcers develop without a compacted base, with purulent contents. If left untreated, chancroid causes inflammation of the lymph nodes, as well as phimosis (swelling of the foreskin).
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HIV infection
Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a disease native to West Africa that has killed more than 40 million people. The disease is progressing: in our country alone, as of May 1, 2015, the number of infected people was 933,419. The virus attacks the immune system, leaving the body virtually defenseless against any infection that can lead and ultimately lead to death. HIV is more common in people who abuse drugs or have promiscuous sex (70-80% of cases), but there are cases of infection through blood transfusions. Also, the virus is sometimes transmitted from mother to baby during childbirth and breastfeeding. Carriage of viruses can be asymptomatic for a long time, AIDS develops only 5-15 years after infection. Unfortunately, the disease is incurable at the moment.
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Maria Kulkes Medical journalist About the author
Education: First Moscow State Medical University named after I. M. Sechenov, specialty "General Medicine".
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