by Jason Quinn

Created on: October 16, 2007

A Sexually Transmitted disease (abbreviated to STD or STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection). They were known as venereal diseases up until the 1990's. It is a common belief that STD's are transmitted only through sex between a man and woman however they can also be caught during oral or anal sex. Any person who engages in sexual behaviour that involves contact with anther person's bodily fluids who has an STI runs the risk of catching it.

Some STI's can be cured easily and tests can be taken to see if someone is has a disease. These can often be done for free at G.U.I clinics although it is possible to purchase testing kits.

Here is a run down of some of the most common sexual diseases:

Chlamydia - This is a common disease and easily cured, though when it is not recognised it can be very serious; leading to blindness and infertility. This is a bacterial disease.

Gonorrhoea - This is also a relatively common disease and, like Chlamydia, is also bacterial. It can lead to painful passing of urine and conjunctivitis.

Syphilis - The final of the bacterial infections I will mention. This is a very serious STI and can lead to problems with the heart, brain, eyes and bones. Luckily, it is curable but needs to be detected and eliminated as quickly as possible.

Hepatitis B - This is a very serious STI as it lives in the blood and cannot be cured. Like other STI's it is spread through contact with infected bodily fluids. It can lead to liver inflammation, jaundice and vomiting.

Pubic Lice - Also known as crabs, these bugs are spread between the pubis regions of sex partners. They cause itching and irritation and are treated with lice shampoo.

As with most STI's - the best way to avoid them is to use protection in the form of condoms. Be safe and use condoms, only sleep with people you trust and know are clean and have been tested.

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