Syphilis Rash on the Body: Appearance, Diagnosis, Treatment
Oral STDs: What Are The Symptoms?
Oral STDs can present with a range of different symptoms, including unusual discharge, foul odor, and soreness.
Many people don't realize it, but you can contract a sexually transmitted infection (STI) without having vaginal or anal sex. Any skin-to-skin contact with the genitals is enough to contract an STI — or pass one to your partner.
In other words, oral sex using the mouth, lips, or tongue can pose similar risks as other sexual activities. But as with other sexual activities, you can lower the risk of transmission by using a condom or other barrier method for every sexual encounter.
Read on to learn which STIs can be contracted or transmitted through oral sex, symptoms to pay attention to, and how to get tested.
Oral sex describes any sexual act where the mouth, lips, or tongue makes contact with the genital areas or anus. This includes:
STIs are infections transmitted through sexual contact.
It's possible to have an STI without having any symptoms. So, it's always wise to take precautions and use a condom or other barrier method every time you have sex — even if you don't have any symptoms.
How can you get STIs from oral sex?STIs pass through sexual fluids and skin-to-skin contact. When infected genital tissues make contact with the tissues in your mouth and throat, an STI can pass from the genitals to your mouth.
The reverse is also true: If you have an STI in your throat or mouth, it can pass to your partner's genitals if you perform oral sex.
Keep in mind, too, that STIs are not just transmitted through fluids. Many people (falsely) believe that avoiding contact with fluids such as semen prevents STI transmission. But in reality, any sexual contact carries a risk.
What's more, you can have an STI in more than one place at the same time, such as an STI that affects your genitals as well as your throat.
Certain STIs, such as gonorrhea, can also spread in your body. So, in some cases, an STI that mainly affects your genitals could potentially be transmitted if you make oral contact with your partner's genitals.
Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. In the United States, chlamydia is more frequently reported than any other bacterial STI.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while chlamydia can be transmitted through oral sex, it's more likely to be transmitted through anal or vaginal sex.
Chlamydia can affect the:
Most chlamydia affecting the throat causes no symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they can include a sore throat. Chlamydia isn't a lifelong condition, and it can be cured with the right antibiotics.
Gonorrhea is a common STI caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The CDC estimates that there are about 1.14 million new cases of gonorrhea each year, with about half affecting people ages 15 to 24.
Both gonorrhea and chlamydia can technically be passed through oral sex. But according to the CDC, the exact risks are difficult to determine. People who have oral sex may also have vaginal or anal sex, which can make it difficult to determine which activity caused the infection.
Gonorrhea can affect the:
Like chlamydia, gonorrhea of the throat often doesn't involve any symptoms. Symptoms that do appear tend to show up about 1 week after exposure and can include a sore throat.
Gonorrhea can be cured with the right antibiotics. However, reports of drug-resistant gonorrhea, in the United States and around the world, have increased.
The CDC recommends retesting if your symptoms do not go away after you've completed the full course of antibiotics.
It's also important for any partners to get tested and treated for any STIs if there's any chance they were exposed.
Syphilis is an STI caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. It is not as common as other STIs.
According to the CDC, there were 133,945 reported new syphilis diagnoses in 2020.
Syphilis can affect the:
Syphilis can be cured with the right antibiotics.
Without treatment, the condition will remain in your body, where it can eventually affect your blood vessels and nervous system. Syphilis can cause serious health complications, including organ damage and significant neurological outcomes.
Syphilis symptoms happen in stages:
The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is one of two types of this common viral STI.
HSV-1 is mainly transmitted through oral-to-oral or oral-to-genital contact. It can cause both oral, genital, and anal herpes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), HSV-1 affects an estimated 3.7 billion people under 50 years old around the world.
HSV-1 can affect the:
Symptoms of oral herpes include blisters or sores, also called cold sores. They can appear on the mouth, lips, and throat.
HSV-1 can be transmitted or contracted even when no symptoms are present. HSV-1 is a lifelong condition. It can't be cured, but treatment with antiviral medication can lead to fewer outbreaks and help ease your symptoms.
The herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is transmitted mainly through vaginal or anal sexual intercourse. It can cause oral, genital, or anal herpes. According to the WHO, HSV-2 affects an estimated 491 million people ages 15 to 49 around the world.
Like HSV-1, HSV-2 can be transmitted through oral sex.
The symptoms of oral HSV-2 are much the same as oral HSV-1. You may notice blisters or sores on your mouth, lips, or tongue, though it's possible to have the virus and never experience symptoms.
HSV-2 can be contracted or transmitted even when no symptoms are present. While there's no cure for HSV-2, treatment can help ease your symptoms and lead to fewer herpes outbreaks.
Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can, in some rare cases, lead to serious illnesses such as herpes esophagitis. With this condition, you might have a fever and chills, notice difficulty swallowing or pain with swallowing, and have joint pain or a general unwell feeling.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common STI in the United States. According to 2017 estimates from the CDC, about 79 million people in the United States currently live with HPV.
HPV can be transmitted or contracted through oral, vaginal, and anal sex. HPV affects the:
In some cases, HPV involves no symptoms.
Certain types of HPV can cause laryngeal or respiratory papillomatosis, which affects the mouth and throat. Symptoms include:
Several other types of HPV affect the mouth and throat but do not cause warts. They may cause head or neck cancer, though.
While HPV has no cure, the majority of HPV transmissions are cleared by the body on its own, without causing further complications. Surgery and other treatments can remove warts of the mouth and throat, but these may return even with treatment.
In 2006, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a vaccine for children and young adults ages 11 to 26 to prevent transmission of the most common high risk HPV strains. These are the strains associated with cervical, anal, head, and neck cancers. The vaccine also protects against common strains that cause genital warts.
In 2018, the FDA expanded its approval to adults up to 45 years old.
You do have options for lowering your risk of transmitting or contracting STIs through oral sex.
For example, you can use barriers like condoms during oral sex.
You can use outside condoms for oral sex involving a penis, and dental dams and inside condoms for oral sex involving the vulva or anus.
Before using a barrier, check to make sure the material has no cuts or tears.
Don't have a dental dam?
You can make your own with an inside or outside condom:
Keep in mind, though, that barrier methods can only lower the chances of contracting or transmitting an STI during oral sex. No method can offer total protection.
In addition to using barrier methods, it's a good idea to get tested for STIs regularly. Testing can include oral exams.
For STI screenings, the CDC advises, at minimum:
You can visit your doctor or a health clinic to get screened for HIV and other STIs. Many clinics offer free or low cost testing options.
What you can expect from the test will differ for each condition. The types of tests include:
If you're sexually active, it's a good idea to get regular STI screening.
You may want to get screened right away if you have any of the following symptoms:
You might also want to consider STI screening if:
To get an STI screening, you can book an appointment with your doctor's office, a local clinic, or Planned Parenthood. Some pharmacies also offer STI screening.
Interested in at-home screening? Check out our guide to the seven best options for home test kits.
What STDs can you get from oral sex?A number of STIs can be transmitted through oral sex, including:
The three stages of syphilis each have their own symptoms.
The first stage is also called primary syphilis. Symptoms include painless, round sores, known as chancres, on your genitals, rectum, or mouth. You might not notice this sore, and it may disappear after about 2 to 6 weeks.
Secondary syphilis is the second stage. It's usually characterized by a skin rash on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet. This rash is painless and does not itch.
Other possible symptoms of secondary syphilis include:
Between secondary and tertiary syphilis, the condition has a latent stage. This stage can last for years and involves no signs or symptoms.
The third stage, tertiary syphilis, can occur years or decades after the initial infection. It can affect your nerves, organs, and joints. It can result in:
Antibiotics can cure syphilis if the condition is detected early.
What are the symptoms of gonorrhea?The symptoms of gonorrhea can include:
Gonorrhea often does not involve symptoms, so many people have this STI without knowing it.
It's possible to acquire STIs through any sexual contact, including oral sex.
Wearing a condom or other barrier method — correctly and every time — is the only way to lower the risk of contracting or transmitting an STI. Just keep in mind that barrier methods don't completely remove this risk.
If you're sexually active, regular STI screening is a good option. The sooner you know your status, the earlier you can get treatment.
5 Symptoms Of STDs That Can Appear On Your Face
Symptoms of STD That Can Appear On Your Face Look out for these signs and symptoms on your face when you are suffering from Sexually transmitted diseases.Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are a set of diseases that spread via unprotected sexual intercourse activities. The disease not only affects your sexual life but also damages some of the important organs of your body. According to the National Health Organisation (NHS), timely medical intervention is important in case of managing STDs. "It is very crucial to get these treated at an early stage so that the quality of life is not affected and the disease is at an irreversible stage," says Dr Randhir Kapoor, Genitourinary Specialist.
While most of you may think that symptoms of STDs only show up on the private part or the genitals, the truth is different. There are several symptoms of common STDs (such as Herpes, Chlamydia, etc), which are found in other parts of the body. Scroll down to know the common STD symptoms which are seen on the face of the patient.
Symptoms of STDs Seen On FaceLook out for these telltale signs and symptoms on your face when you are suffering from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs):
Sores On The MouthWhen suffering from STDs, one can notice large and painful sores in the mouth. It is one of the biggest indicators of this condition. In some rare cases, these mouth sores are present in the tongue making it difficult for the person to eat food or even speak properly. Mouth sores are a warning sign of Herpes disease.
Pink EyesOne of the most common signs of sexually transmitted disease Chlamydia is pink eyes. It is a bacterial infection that mostly spreads through oral intercourse. Pink eye is an infection that starts when someone touches the eyes right after contacting the genitals or the secretions of the genitals. As per experts, if left untreated, this symptom can also lead to permanent blindness.
Skin RashesAnother common sign and symptom of STDs that usually appears on the face. The sudden appearance of red rashes on the face without any explanation can indicate the onset of an STD. This is a classic sign of Syphilis. The rashes start on the face and spread all over the body.
Hair LossIf you start losing your facial hair without any reason, understand that it could be a sign of STD. In the case of Syphilis, hair loss which starts suddenly and aggressively is seen during the onset of the disease.
Other Symptoms of STDsApart from all the symptoms that one may notice on their face when dealing with STDs, here are some other common signs of STDs that can show up on other body parts of the patient.
Make sure you visit a doctor immediately after noticing any of the symptoms that are listed above. It is important to understand the importance of timely medical intervention in managing diseases and conditions.
Total Wellness is now just a click away.Follow us on
Signs And Symptoms Of STDs In Men
In some cases, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or infections (STIs) cause no noticeable symptoms. When they do occur, STI symptoms in men can include discharge, bleeding, painful blisters, and more.
It is crucial for everyone who is sexually active to be aware of STD and STI symptoms. When a person with an STI receives treatment early, the outlook is usually excellent.
In this article, we look at some of the most common STIs in males. We also explore the symptoms, signs, treatments, and best methods of prevention.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), people contract more than 1 million STIs every day, globally.
In some cases, an STI causes no noticeable symptoms, so it is possible to have one without knowing it. It may also be easy to mistake STI symptoms for those of another issue.
Below, learn about common STIs and how they affect males.
Chlamydia is a bacterial STI that passes from person to person through anal, oral, or vaginal sex without a condom. In a male, chlamydia can develop in the urethra, rectum, or throat.
Some call chlamydia a "silent" infection because people are often unaware that they have it. The majority of these infections in males cause no symptoms.
If symptoms do occur in males, they arise several weeks after the infection develops.
Common symptoms of chlamydia in the urethra include:
Chlamydia in the rectum is less common and usually causes no symptoms, but it can cause:
Rarely, chlamydia develops in the epididymis, the tube that carries sperm from the testicles. This can cause:
To test for this issue, a healthcare provider usually asks for a urine sample, but they may use a cotton swab to get a sample from the urethra instead.
TreatmentTreating chlamydia with oral antibiotics is relatively straightforward. It may involve taking a single dose or a 7-day course of an antibiotic. Repeat infections are common, however, so it is a good idea to have another test after completing the treatment.
Herpes is an infection with the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of the virus, and they tend to affect different parts of the body
HSV–1, also called oral herpes, causes cold sores in and around the mouth.HSV–2 almost always passes on through sex without a condom and causes genital herpes.
Many people with herpes have no symptoms, and others may have difficulty identifying their symptoms. Mild herpes blisters can resemble insect bites, ingrown hairs, or razor burn.
If they do arise, the symptoms typically appear 2–12 days after the infection develops.
Common symptoms of herpes in males include:
To diagnose herpes, a doctor can use a blood test or a polymerase chain reaction test. The latter involves checking for signs of the infection in the person's DNA, and it can be especially useful when the person has no visible symptoms.
If a person has visible sores on or around their genitals, a doctor can test for herpes using a cell culture. This involves collecting a sample of the fluid inside one of the sores.
TreatmentThere is no cure for herpes, and outbreaks of symptoms can reoccur over time. Treatments focus on managing the symptoms and extending the time between outbreaks.
Gonorrhea is an infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria. It can develop in the urethra, rectum, or throat, and the bacteria can transmit through vaginal, anal, or oral sex without a condom.
Most males with gonorrhea have no symptoms. When gonorrhea in the urethra does cause symptoms, they usually appear 1–14 days after the infection has developed.
Symptoms of gonorrhea in males include:
First, the doctor asks the person about their symptoms and medical history. Next, they order a test, which might involve a urine sample or a swab of the penis, urethra, anus, or throat.
Home testing kits are also available. They involve taking a sample and sending it to a lab, which returns the results to the person directly. If the result is positive, the person needs to see a doctor for treatment.
It is worth noting, however, that the doctor may wish to do another test to confirm the diagnosis.
TreatmentHealthcare providers can treat gonorrhea with antibiotics. These can stop the infection from progressing, but they cannot reverse any damage already done.
For this reason, anyone with symptoms of the infection or likely exposure to it should see a healthcare provider for testing right away.
The medical community is becoming increasingly concerned about the rise of antibiotic resistant gonorrhea. This resistance makes successful treatment much more difficult, if not impossible.
Bacteria are also responsible for syphilis, which transmits through vaginal, anal, or oral sex without a condom.
Men who have sex with men (MSM) have a higher risk of contracting syphilis. Almost 70 percent of primary and secondary syphilis diagnoses in 2017 were in MSM.
Syphilis is also known as "The Great Pretender" because its symptoms can resemble those of other diseases. Symptoms usually appear 10–90 days after infection, with 21 days being the average.
The symptoms of syphilis progress in stages known as primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. Each stage has its own unique set of symptoms that can last for weeks, months, or even years.
The symptoms of primary syphilis include:
Secondary syphilis can cause the following signs and symptoms:
The latent, or "hidden," stage of syphilis, during which there are no visible symptoms, can last for several years.
Tertiary syphilis is very rare. It can cause severe health complications that affect multiple organ systems. The symptoms of tertiary syphilis include:
DiagnosisHealthcare providers are likely to run blood tests or examine some of the fluid from a sore to check for syphilis.
TreatmentA healthcare provider may recommend an antibiotic called benzathine benzylpenicillin to treat primary, secondary, and early latent syphilis. People who are allergic to penicillin will need to use a different antibiotic, such as doxycycline or azithromycin.
Although antibiotics will prevent the infection from progressing, they cannot repair any permanent damage resulting from the infection.
People also use the term "HPV" to refer to the infections that these viruses cause.
HPV is a common STI that typically affects people in their late teens and early 20s. Males with HPV may never develop symptoms, or the symptoms may arise months or even years after the infection develops.
The most common symptoms of HPV in males are warts in the mouth or throat and genital warts — small bumps around the penis or anus.
HPV is unusual among STIs because vaccines can prevent it. These are Gardasil and Cervarix, and they are effective against HPV types 16 and 18, high-risk strains that can lead to certain types of cancer.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that children aged 11–12 years receive the HPV vaccine and that all males up to the age of 45 years get vaccinated if they have not yet done so.
DiagnosisThere is currently no HPV screening or tests for males. A healthcare provider may be able to make a diagnosis based on any genital warts that are present.
TreatmentMost cases of HPV resolve without treatment and cause no complications. However, if the infection persists, and the person does not receive treatment, it can lead to problems, including certain types of cancer.
No HPV treatment has received formal approval, but there are ways to manage any symptoms and complications. For example, topical and oral medications can treat genital warts.
HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune cells. It spreads through some, but not all, bodily fluids, including semen, vaginal and anal fluids, and blood.
Having sexual intercourse without a condom is the most common method of transmission.
Many people with HIV experience flu-like symptoms within 2–6 weeks of developing the infection. Common symptoms of HIV in males are:
Other symptoms may include:
Doctors can test a person's blood for HIV antibodies. They perform the test more than once before confirming a positive result. Home testing kits are also available.
Current HIV tests make it possible to detect HIV in under 2 weeks. People with known risk factors should undergo testing more often.
TreatmentWhile there is no cure for HIV, treatments can prevent symptoms and transmission. They can also keep the infection from progressing to cause AIDS.
The treatments are called antiretroviral therapy, and they reduce the amount of the virus in the body. When the amount is so low that a test cannot detect it, this eliminates the risk of transmitting HIV.
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, often due to a viral infection. One of the most common hepatitis viruses is the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It can pass on through blood, semen, and some other bodily fluids.
Healthcare providers classify each HBV infection as either acute, meaning that it is temporary and will last for a few weeks, or chronic, in which case it is a severe, lifelong condition.
Most people with hepatitis B have no symptoms. People with symptoms may easily mistake them for those of cold or flu, and they tend to appear about 90 days after the HBV infection develops.
Hepatitis B signs and symptoms include:
A vaccine can prevent hepatitis B, and the WHO recommend that all infants receive at least three doses of this vaccine.
DiagnosisHealthcare providers look for signs of liver damage, such as jaundice. Some tests that can help diagnose hepatitis B include:
TreatmentThere is currently no treatment for acute hepatitis B. Medications can treat chronic hepatitis B, and research in this area is ongoing.
People with chronic hepatitis B need regular checkups for signs of liver disease.
STIs often cause no symptoms in males, which makes it hard for health authorities to estimate the real number of cases.
When they receive treatment, people with STIs have a good outlook. If a person does not receive treatment, these infections can become chronic conditions, and some can cause dangerous complications.
People can prevent STIs by using barrier protection, such as condoms or dental dams, during sex. Also, vaccines can prevent HPV and hepatitis B.
Anyone who is sexually active should undergo regular testing for STIs. This will ensure quick detection and treatment and help prevent the infections from passing on.
Comments
Post a Comment