What Are The Most Common Sexually Transmitted Diseases?
The Most Common STDs Are...
| STD | Cases | Transmission | Symptoms | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trichomoniasis | 7.4 million new cases diagnosed each year | Fluid exchange, genital to genital contact | Discharge from penis or vagina, discomfort when urinating; usually appears in women 5–28 days after infection | Genital inflammation |
| HPV | 6.2 million new cases diagnosed each year | Skin-to-skin contact, mother to child during delivery | There are over 100 different strains. Some produce genital warts | Number one cause of cervical cancer in women; may cause penile and anal cancer in men |
| Chlamydia | 2.8 million new cases diagnosed each year, 92 million globally | Fluid exchange, mother to child during delivery | May appear 1–3 weeks after infection; abnormal discharge from penis or vagina, burning when urinating, bleeding between periods 75% women have no symptoms 50% men have no symptoms |
PID, severe damage to reproductive organs, infertility in women, sterility in men |
| 500,000 new cases each year | Skin-to-skin contact, mother to child during delivery | Flu-like symptoms, fever; outbreak of blisters usually within two weeks of infection | Recurring outbreaks | |
| Gonorrhea | CDC Estimates 700,000 new cases each year | Contact with the penis, vagina, mouth or anus; mother to child during delivery | Men: Discharge from penis, burning when urinating, pain in testicles; usually 2–30 days after infection Women: Discharge from vagina, burning when urinating, bleeding between periods |
PID, severe damage to reproductive organs, infertility in women, sterility in men, skin disease, arthritis |
| Hepatitis B | 40,000 new cases diagnosed each year | Fluid exchange, mother to child during delivery | Jaundice, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, joint pain | Cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure |
| HIV |
approx. 56,000 new cases diagnosed each year |
Fluid exchange, mother to child during pregnancy, delivery or breast-feeding | Tiredness, fever, chills, weight loss, swollen glands, white spots in mouth, constant diarrhea | Weakened immune system, some cancers, pneumonia, damage to central nervous system, death |
| PID |
Estimates: 7-750,000. Women experience acute episode of PID yearly, 10-15% become infertile |
Complication of untreated STD - typically Chlamydia & Gonorrhea | Vague symptoms to severe pelvic pain | Scarring of fallopian tubes & other pelvic structure can lead to chronic pelvic pain, infertility & ectopic pregnancy |
| Syphilis | 36,000 new cases diagnosed in 2006 | Direct contact with syphilis sores, mother to child during pregnancy | Primary Stage: one or more small, firm, round, painless sores at the spot where the bacteria entered the body; appears 10–90 days after infection Secondary Stage: skin rash, spots on palms of hands and bottoms of feet; may include fever, swollen glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, aches, fatigue |
Late Stage: damage to the brain, heart, liver, bones, and joints; paralysis, blindness, death |
NOTE: If you, or anyone you know, has any of these symtoms, please don't wait. See a doctor or medical professional as soon as possible. Some of these diseases are fatal if not treated correctly.
Note: Testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs and STDs) is available at all center locations.
