Genital Herpes

What it is: A contagious viral infection spread by having sex with an infected person.

Symptoms: Small red bumps may develop into blisters and open lesions. Over a period of days, the sores become encrusted and then heal without scarring. Even after the skin lesions have disappeared, the virus remains inside the nerve cells in a latent state. In most people, the virus reactivates from time to time.

Potential Complications: In healthy adults, there are no serious long-term consequences of genital herpes.

Treatment: Oral acyclovir markedly shortens the course of a first episode and limits the severity of recurrences if taken within 24 hours of onset of symptoms. People who have very frequent episodes of the disease can take oral acyclovir daily for up to one year to suppress the virus’ activity and prevent most recurrences. Acyclovir does not cure herpes, but it interferes with the virus’ ability to reproduce itself.

Syphillis

What it is: A bacterial STD that slowly attacks and damages internal organs over time.

Symptoms: The first symptom of syphilis is a sore called a chancre, which can appear within 10 days to three months after exposure but generally within three weeks. Because the chancre is ordinarily painless and sometimes occurs inside the body, it may go unnoticed. The second symptom is a rash that can cover the entire body or just a few areas. Mild fever, fatigue, headache, sore throat, patchy hair loss and swollen lymph glands throughout the body may also occur. These symptoms may come and go without treatment for several years.

Potential Complications: If left untreated, the bacteria will cause damage to the heart, eyes, brain, nervous system, bones and joints. Late syphilis can eventually cause mental illness, blindness, other neurological problems, heart disease and death.

Treatment: Syphilis usually is treated with penicillin, administered by injection.

Crabs

What it is: Parasites, also known as pubic lice, subsist on blood and cause itching. Contracted during skin-to-skin contact. Possible to contract while using infected towels and sleeping in infected sheets.

Symptoms: Itching of pubic area, noticeable crab-like creatures in hair. Can also appear in armpits, beards and mustaches, eyelashes and the hair on your head.

Potential Complications: No serious long-term complications provided action is taken to treat it.

Treatment: Shampoos and cream rinses that kill lice. All bed sheets, clothes and towels should also be washed in hot water to kill any lice that may remain.

Gonorrhea

What it is: Bacterial STD that grows and reproduces in warm, moist places such as the cervix, urethra, rectum, or throat. Spread during genital contact, but can also be spread during oral sex.

Symptoms: If symptoms occur, they often include burning during urination, as well as a discharge from the vagina or penis.

Potential Complications: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in women. Can also spread to bloodstream and infect the joints, heart valves, or brain.

Treatment: Antibiotics

Source: www.idph.state.il.us