Over
a lifetime, the body can host many different kinds of germs including those that
cause sexually transmitted diseases. There are three types of STDs—bacterial,
viral, and bugs.
Bacterial
STDs are transient which means they will respond to medication and can be kicked
out of your system. However, if they remain untreated they can cause very serious
damage.
Bacterial
STDs include gonorrhea, a bacteria which can cause infertility, heart disease,
blindness, damage to the urinary tract, arthritis, and damage to an unborn child;
chlamydia, which has been implicated as a risk factor for cervical cancer and
is a major cause of infertility; syphilis, which can affect the nervous system,
cause blindness, deafness, heart disease, insanity, and result in the birth of
a stillborn or crippled child; and chancroid, which causes genital sores and enlarged
lymph nodes.
Viral
STDs are permanent. Once you acquire one, it stays in your system forever. You
will not be troubled by a viral STD as long as it remains dormant, but they do
act up now and then. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) generally hides in the genital
tract, and causes genital warts from time to time over the years. Some strains
can lead to cervical cancer. Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) lives in nerves at the
base of the spine and causes painful blisters to form, mostly on the vulva and
in the mouth. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) can also remain in the system
but once it manifests itself, it becomes a deadly disease with no cure and limited
treatment options. HIV is discussed in detail in "The Persistent Threat of
AIDS."
Sexually
transmitted skin infestations are caused by tiny bugs called arthropods. Using
pesticides will easily rid you of them. The two most common are pubic lice, a.k.a.
"crabs" and scabies. Pubic lice attach themselves to the base of pubic
hairs where they bite the skin and lay their eggs. Scabies burrow into the skin
to lay eggs. They are much tinier than pubic lice and cannot be seen with the
naked eye.
Best
Ways to Prevent Infection
The
only way to avoid these germs, is to abstain completely from vaginal, oral, or
anal intercourse. Since this is not a desirable option for most women, you can
reduce the chance of getting an STD by:
Having
sex with only one uninfected partner who only has sex with you Limiting the
number of your sexual partners if you do have more than one Using latex condoms
during any kind of intercourse Using spermicides like nonoxynol-9 which can
kill some of the germs Having regular checkups to make sure you aren't infected
with an STD that may be asymptomatic
