In the United States alone each year, 20 million new STD cases are registered according to the statistics given by the CDC. It is not an overstatement to state that STD is one of the primary infectious diseases worldwide. It is highly painful to know that 20 out of every 100 fresh cases registered every year are adolescents (age group 15-20). So, you can imagine that how fast this deadly infectious disease is spreading amongst youngsters. The only reason behind this data is more and more young people are becoming sexually active every day without knowing the long-term consequences.
And every year around 16 billion dollars are being spent for STD alone in America. By 2025, 50% of all women and 40% of all men would be infected with some type of STD if the disease is going to spread at this rate. Sexually Transmitted Diseases or simply called as STD spreads via sexual transmission from infected partner to the other. The figures have been constantly rising among gay population in the country and Chlamydia was the leading cause of infection in them next to HPV. Men who have sex with men and bisexuals are infected with HPV and genital warts and these men have 20 times more chance to get an infection than heterosexual men.
Contrary to your imagination, STD does not spread through sexual intercourse alone. It can very much spread through oral sex also and by exchange of bodily fluids or blood. STD can also spread through unsterilized needles. And it is not necessary that you would have noticeable symptoms if you are infected with STD. Many women have Chlamydia and genital herpes in them without having a single symptom.
Causes of STD
- One can get STD by indulging in any type of sexual activity. This infection is commonly caused by bacteria and virus and sometimes by fungus and parasites.
- Bacteria like Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhea, Chlamydia trachomatis and Treponema pallidum are responsible for causing STD.
- Viruses like Herpes simplex virus, HPV (Human Papilloma Virus), Hepatitis viruses and HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) are leading causes of STD.
- Fungus like Tenia Curtis and Candida albicans can cause Jock itch and other infections. STD can even be caused by parasites like Pediculosis pubis (that cause pubic lice) and Sarcoptes scabiei (that cause scabies).
Symptoms of STD
There is every chance that you are likely to carry some infection in your body without any symptom. And by having sex with other person (s) you are likely to pass on the infection to them. You should not hope or think that your partner does not have STD/STI but be sure about it with proof. It is very much necessary to get diagnosed if you think you have an infection failing which you can spread the disease to innocent others.