Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that men and women can get from having sex with anyone who has the infection. STDs can be spread through contact with an infected person’s blood or skin. The causes of STDs are bacteria, parasites and viruses. There are more than 20 types of STDs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes simplex, HIV/AIDS, human papilloma virus (HPV), genital warts, syphilis and trichomoniasis.

Most STDs affect both men and women. If you have an STD caused by bacteria or parasites, your physician can prescribe antibiotics or other medicines to treat the infection. If you have an STD caused by a virus, your physician may prescribe medication to keep the disease under control, although there is no cure. Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not completely eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading STDs.