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STDs are infectious diseases spreading through unsafe sexual intercourse. They can be caused by bacteria (gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis), viruses (HIV, herpes, hepatitis, HPV), yeast (candidiasis) or protozoans (trichomoniasis).

All unprotected sexual contacts can lead to infection. Anal contacts carry a five-fold higher risk than vaginal intercourse, whereas oral sex is less hazardous. Other paths of transmission are: mother-to-fetus (during pregnancy or delivery), blood transfusion, and piercing.

In women, STDs can result in pelvic inflammation, abscess, chronic pain, sterility, and ectopic pregnancy. STDs can also cause miscarriage, stillbirth, low-birth-weight babies, and eye and lung infections and brain damage in the newborn. In men, STDs may present with inflammation of the urethra, testicles, and prostate, which can rarely complicate with infertility.

High-risk sexual behavior involves:
- Engaging in unprotected sexual relations, except with a single steady partner;
- Early sexual activity, before 18;
- Multiple sex partners;
- High-risk partners;
- Anal contacts;
- Sex with intravenous drug abusers;
- Exchanging sex for money or drugs.

To prevent STDs:
- Consider abstinence (the only 100% safe method!)
- Use condom regularly; use water-based lubricants only.
- Limit the number of your sex partners.
- Maintain sexual relations with a single person; to reduce risk, that person should also engage in sexual relations with you alone.
- Choose your sex partners carefully. Avoid having sex with somebody you suspect of STD.
- Regularly screen for STD if you have multiple sex partners. STD testing may also be necessary during pregnancy.
- Do not use alcohol or drugs before sexual intercourse.
- Do not exchange underwear and avoid using unclean toilets.
- If you are taking intravenous drugs, always use your private sterile needles.
- Recognize symptoms and signs of STD; look for these in your partner, too.
- Learn about STDs; the more you know, the better you can protect yourself. Also, instruct your children about STDs.
- If you are HIV-positive, tell your partner about it, and always use condom; do not lend your needles, syringes, razor blades, and toothbrush to others; do not donate blood; if pregnant, seek for medical care to reduce risks for your baby.

If you suspect having caught an STD:
- Go and see your doctor, before passing on the disease to other persons.
- Follow treatment exactly as prescribed, even when your symptoms are gone.
- All your partners should be tested for STDs, and if found infected, they must also receive treatment.
- You should refrain from sexual intercourse until you and your partner(s) are completely healed; otherwise, there is a high risk of STD recurrence.
- Chlamydia infection can easily be healed with antibiotics like azithromycin, doxycycline, tetracycline or erythromycin.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) has no effective cure, but it can be prevented by vaccination; warts are treated with antiseptic ointments and creams, or by surgical removal.
- Syphilis is easy to cure in its early stages, with a single injection of penicillin.
- Penicillin is also effective for most cases of gonorrhea; in penicillin-resistant infections, other antibiotics, like cephalosporins and quinolones are available.
- Antiviral agents like acyclovir and valacyclovir are commonly used for treating genital herpes.

Learn more about this author, Stephen Janowsky.
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