Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are also known as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or STDs: as the name implies, they are diseases acquired through sexual contact and are feared and always underwater and difficult to see. The pathogens that cause STDs are transmitted between people through blood, semen, vaginal fluids and other bodily fluids. Sometimes these infections can be transmitted non-sexually, such as when a mother transmits a small child during pregnancy or childbirth, or through blood transfusions or sharing needles.STD can be acquired from seemingly perfectly healthy people or from those who do not know they are infected, and STD is not always symptomatic. Due to the variety of diseases, there are many signs and symptoms of STD, as well as the “no symptoms” mentioned above. Because of this, some patients or partners are not diagnosed until complications arise. Some of the manifestations that may indicate STD include: 1) ulcers or masses on the genital, perioral, or perianal area; 2) painful urinary burning; 3) discharge from the penile urethra; 4) abnormal or odorous vaginal discharge; 5) abnormal vaginal bleeding; 6) painful intercourse; 7) painful swelling of the groin or more distant lymph nodes; 8) lower abdominal pain; 9) fever; 10) rash on the trunk, hands, and feet. Depending on the pathogen, most of these signs or symptoms appear within a few days after unprotected exposure, and some even manifest themselves years later. When to see a doctor If you clearly know that you are exposed to STD and are unprotected, see a doctor immediately if you notice clinical signs of STD: Pathogens of STD Bacterial-level microorganisms: gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia; parasites: trichomoniasis, pubic lice; viruses: condyloma acuminata (HPV-human papillomavirus), genital herpes, AIDS (HIV), hepatitis of all types, etc. . STD risk factors Anyone who is sexually active is at some level of risk for STD exposure. Other factors that increase the risk include: 1. Unprotected intercourse: Having intercourse with an infected partner and not wearing a condom significantly increases the risk of contracting STD. The same is true for incorrect or discontinuous condom use. Oral sex has a slightly lower risk of infection, but there is still a risk of infection without a condom or oral dam. The oral dam is a thin latex skin used to avoid direct contact. 2. Multiple partners: The more partners you have, the higher the risk of infection, as we all know; 3. History of STDs: Having one STD makes you more likely to get other types of STDs; 4. Forced sex: Being raped or sexually assaulted is a very bad event, but it is important to understand the importance of getting immediate medical attention. Screening, treatment and psychological support are essential; 5, alcohol or drug abuse: drug or alcohol abuse inhibits judgment and predisposes to high-risk behavior; 6, injection drug use: sharing needles to inject drugs can lead to serious infections, including AIDS and hepatitis; 7, young: about half of the STD patients are in their 20s; 8, men on erectile medication: foreign statistics show that the application of drugs such as Viagra The incidence of STD is higher in men who are treated. If you are applying such drugs, you should pay attention to safe sexual behavior. Mother-to-child transmission Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, HIV, syphilis, etc. can be transmitted to the baby through the infected mother during pregnancy or delivery, and the baby can have serious problems or even be fatal after infection. All pregnant women should be screened for STD and treated if the infection is found. Because STD is absent or mildly symptomatic in its early stages, it is important to screen pregnant women for STD to avoid complications. These complications are: pelvic pain and inflammatory lesions, pregnancy accidents, eye inflammation, arthritis, infertility, heart disease, certain malignancies (HPV-associated cervical and rectal cancers) How to diagnose STD A history of sexual intercourse plus the above-mentioned manifestations or signs suggest STD infection, followed by appropriate laboratory tests to confirm whether the infection is present and the cause. 1. blood tests: blood tests can be drawn to confirm whether the infection is HIV, advanced syphilis or hepatitis, etc.; 2. urine tests: gonorrhea, chlamydia, etc.; 3. other body fluids: active genital ulcers to take fluid and various secretions can help in the diagnosis. STD screening Screening is a test for people without symptoms, often performed during a health check-up. It can be done for all people or for special populations, such as pregnant women and homosexuals. STD treatment Bacterial STDs are generally easier to treat, while viral STDs can be controlled but not always cured. Treatment is divided into the following categories: 1. Antibiotics Effective for bacterial and parasitic infections, including gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia and trichomonas. Once antibiotic treatment has been started, it is important to follow the doctor’s instructions. If there are difficulties, inform your doctor so that the regimen can be adjusted. Stop having sex during the treatment until the treatment is over and the ulcer heals. 2. Antiviral drugs Taking antiviral drugs daily can reduce recurrence and also the risk of infection. The earlier the expenditure on treatment, the more effective it is in keeping the virus levels to almost unmeasurable levels. Inform your partner and take protective measures If you are sure you have STD, you should inform your current partner, and your partners (if any) within the past 3 months to 1 year about your condition. The partner (or partners) will be screened and treated if infected. A confirmed STD is reported to the local CDC to ensure that the receiving doctor and hospital control its transmission. During this process, the patient and partner are kept strictly confidential so as not to interfere with treatment. Seeing a doctor No one likes to share the details of their sexual experience, but in front of a doctor, these details are a prerequisite for proper treatment. It’s a good idea to document symptoms or discomfort before your visit, even if they don’t seem relevant; be prepared with what you ask, such as the medical term for my illness? How did I become infected? Do I need to be isolated from my child? Will I infect the baby now that I’m pregnant? Will I get it again? Did I get it from one sexual encounter? How long have I been sick? Do I have to abstain from sex during treatment? Does my partner need to see a doctor too? Questions like these. The doctor may ask: What prompted you to come to the doctor? How long have the symptoms been going on? Are you heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual (a question that is not common in this country, but has been asked)? Are you now in a regular relationship or multiple? How long have you been with them? Do they do drugs or injections together? Is there any sexual protection or contraception? Have you been treated for UTIs, genital ulcers, etc. in the past? How many sexual partners have you had in the past year? When was the last time you had sex? If you suspect you have STD, it is best to abstain from sex until you see your doctor. If you have sex, use safety precautions, such as using condoms. Self-protection 1. Abstinence: No contact is of course the best protection, but can you do it? 2. Have sex only with a non-infected partner: A long-term stable monogamous relationship is a reliable way to avoid STD. 3, watch and wait: until you are sure and both partners test negative before you start having sex with a new partner, oral sex has less chance of infection, but condoms or oral barrier film can effectively avoid direct contact; 4, vaccination: early vaccination is effective in preventing some STDs, such as HPV and hepatitis, etc.; 5, insist, proper use of condoms and oral barrier film: condoms are afraid of oiliness and can break. Do not use so-called natural materials, which are ineffective in preventing viral STD; 6, avoid drinking too much or abusing drugs: the effects of these prompt you to take sexual risks and forget to take appropriate protective measures; 7, communication: before starting real sex, communicate clearly with your partner and engage in safe sex to reach a consensus on what can or cannot be; 8, male circumcision: there are studies proving that circumcised men have a HIV infection risk is reduced by 60%, as is the risk for HPV and herpes (probably due to reduced friction-induced local skin breakage). Finding out you have STD can be devastating, and the sense of betrayal and stigma may drive some people to infect others. Some STDs, even with the best medical treatment, can lead to the worst chronic or life-threatening diseases. And the trust between the partners, the shared parenting, the joy and expression of embracing sex may all be gone. What to do about it? Here are some tips: 1. Don’t be hasty with your accusations: Don’t immediately judge your partner for infidelity, your (or both) infections may have occurred while with a previous partner; 2. Be honest with your doctor: Doctors don’t judge patients, but rather prevent the spread of the disease and will keep the patient’s confidentiality; 3. Treat aggressively: Most STDs are found in time and are relatively easy to cure. At the same time, for the safety of the partner, should be reasonably recommended to deal with the appropriate treatment, in the level of disease treatment to obtain agreement; 4, complaining useless: regret to complain about the infection to your person does not make sense, to distort the psychological revenge more will make their own disease progress or reinfection or multi-infection risk increased abruptly; 5, learn a lesson: sexual behavior belongs to the basic impulse, and a good sex life is beneficial to life expectancy and quality of life. Grasp the reasonable safety measures and moderate control, can effectively prevent infection STD.