The Seven Most Common STDs to Watch Out For

By  //  February 28, 2022

With nearly 20 million people in the United States diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease (STD) every year, it is vital to get tested for STDs if you are sexually active. It’s critical to outline the most common STDs and the symptoms you should watch out for.

Below, we outline the seven most typical STDs. Keep reading to learn more!

1. Genital Human Papillomavirus

Genital Human Papillomavirus or HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease as more than 14 million cases occur in the United States every year. People with HPV tend to display symptoms of the infection in their throat, mouth, or genitals.

However, most people with HPV display no symptoms until they generate other health concerns, such as genital warts or even cervical cancer. Nonetheless, most HPV cases pose no harm and resolve within two years. HPV vaccines are available to prevent this infection.

2. Chlamydia

Nearly 3 million Americans are diagnosed with chlamydia every year. This bacterial infection involves two main symptoms of discharge from the genitals and a burning feeling when urinating. Yet, most people who have chlamydia don’t show any symptoms.

Chlamydia can be spread through sexual contact between the anus, genitals, or mouth of infected people. Physicians prescribe antibiotics to treat chlamydia. Without treatment, major health concerns are likely to occur, including infertility.

3. Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV, is a serious condition that can cause a person to develop AIDs. Since it was first contracted in the Belgian Congo in 1959, AIDs has led to countless deaths all around the globe.

When HIV first hits the internal systems, it begins attacking the immune system and killing off white blood cells essential to fighting infections. HIV is spread through the contact of bodily fluids, such as during vaginal or anal sex, and by sharing needles or syringes with infected individuals.

While there’s no cure, certain medications can elongate people’s lifespans and decreases the risk of spreading HIV.

4. Genital Herpes

Approximately 800,000 Americans are diagnosed with genital herpes every year. This condition is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 or type 2. Vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected person can cause genital herpes.

The worst symptom occurring from genital herpes is a group of lesions similar to blisters near the rectum, genitals, or mouth. The blisters can break open and cause significant pain, which can take quite a while to heal.

Doctors can prescribe patients medicine to prevent or shorten the outbreaks associated with genital herpes and relieve pain.

5. Syphilis

Syphilis is somewhat less common and infects about 55,000 people in the United States each year. This bacterial infection spreads through vaginal, oral, or anal sex and looks like sores that grow in the mouth and on the lips or genitals.

The symptoms of syphilis also include a skin rash on the hands, feet, and sometimes all over the body. Physicians can prescribe antibiotics to destroy the bacteria that causes syphilis.

6. Gonorrhea

There are more than 800,000 cases of gonorrhea throughout the United States every year. Some typical symptoms of gonorrhea include white, green, or yellow discharge from the genitals and pain when urinating.

Men with gonorrhea may have painful testicles, while women with this condition may have menstrual bleeding more often than normal. Gonorrhea can be treated effectively using two antibiotics.

7. Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is a more common sexually transmitted disease. More than 1 million cases of this condition occur every year in the United States. This condition is caused by a parasite that passes between two people during sex.

Usually, this condition does not cause any symptoms. However, it is possible to have itching when infected with trichomoniasis or a burning sensation when urinating. Sometimes, people with this disease may have discharge from their genitals. Antibiotics can also be used to treat this infection.

Get Tested Today 

Now that you have read how common STDs are and which symptoms to watch out for, you might be wondering, “where to get tested for STDs near me?”

STD Labs can test you for a wide variety of sexually transmitted diseases, including blood HIV testing and testing for herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia. To check whether you may have an STD, make an appointment today.