Sexually transmitted diseases are infections that are transmitted through sexual contact. Microbes that provoke the disease are found in the blood, saliva of an infected person.

In addition to direct sexual contact, venereal disease can be transmitted during pregnancy or during childbirth. The carrier of the disease is the mother, the child becomes infected. When breastfeeding, there is also the possibility of infection. The risk of infection is also high with blood transfusions.

Currently, sexually transmitted diseases are very common. In order to identify the disease in time and begin treatment, it is necessary to know what symptoms occur with these infections. It is also important to observe, it is necessary to exclude unprotected sexual intercourse in order to avoid infection with a sexually transmitted disease.

Classification of venereal diseases

All diseases that can be transmitted through sexual contact are divided into the following types:

• viral
• fungal
• bacterial
• protozoan
• skin

Pathogenic microflora can also cause urethritis, colpitis, vaginosis. These diseases are not sexually transmitted diseases, but often accompany them.

Ways of contracting venereal diseases

Venereal disease in several ways. Let's consider them in more detail.

The first and main way of infection is sexual contact. Moreover, you can get infected not only with the traditional act, but also with anal and oral. Therefore, it is foolish to assume that only traditional way you can get a venereal disease, and with other options this risk is excluded.

The second way of infection is household. Infection occurs through bed linen, towels, on which the discharge of the carrier of the disease remains.

There is also a high probability of infection through the transmission method, namely due to blood transfusion, the use of infected medical instruments and reusable needles.

Main symptoms

After sexual contact or any other method of infection, before the onset of the disease, certain time which is called the incubation period. The most common early signs of a sexually transmitted infection include:

• urination occurs frequently and with pain
• profuse discharge from the genital tract with an unpleasant odor
• itching occurs
• mucous membrane becomes inflamed

In some cases, these signs are not symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease, they may accompany another disease. genitourinary system. In addition, some sexually transmitted diseases may not cause symptoms. This may be fraught with the occurrence.

Oct 27, 2016 Violetta Doctor

The incubation period lasts one to three weeks. Chlamydia can be acute, subacute, chronic, or asymptomatic. A person with chlamydia notices characteristic glassy discharge from urethra in the morning, there may be itching or discomfort when urinating. Even without treatment, after a while (about 2 weeks), the symptoms of the disease disappear, and it becomes chronic course, the infection is, as it were, "preserved" in the body, waiting for an opportunity to remind itself again.

The main danger of chlamydia is precisely in complications that he can call. In women, the infection can cause inflammatory diseases of the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes(!) with the development of their obstruction, cervix, urethra, during pregnancy can lead to premature birth, the birth of children with low body weight, postpartum endometritis. In men, chlamydia "gets" to the prostate gland and seminal vesicles, causing chronic prostatitis and vesiculitis. Further chronic process extends to the epididymis, which can lead to male infertility. Chlamydia can also get on the wall Bladder and cause hemorrhagic cystitis. chronic inflammation urethra, caused by chlamydia, leads to the development of its narrowing (stricture). Apart from various complications relating to the genital area, chlamydia can cause damage to other organs (Reiter's syndrome) - eyes (chlamydial conjunctivitis), joints (often ankle, knee), spine, skin, internal organs(usually hepatitis).

Diagnosis of chlamydia is more difficult than that of a bacterial infection. Most simple methods have an accuracy of no more than 40%. The most accurate and affordable method for determining chlamydia today is the immunofluorescence reaction (IF) using labeled antibodies.

The treatment of chlamydia is also more complex and time-consuming, and must be carried out by both partners. In addition to the course antibiotic therapy it necessarily includes immunomodulatory therapy, multivitamin therapy, normalization of lifestyle, diet, refraining from sexual activity for the duration of treatment. At the end of the course, control tests are carried out, and if chlamydia is not detected, then tests are carried out 2 more times after 1 month (for women - before menstruation). Only after that it will be possible to talk about the effectiveness of the therapy.

About chlamydia, we can say with confidence that it is much easier to avoid than cure .

Genital mycosis

This term combines a number of diseases of the mucous membranes and skin of the genitourinary organs affected by a fungal infection. Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VC) is the most common mycosis in women. The causative agent of candidiasis are yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida, currently numbering more than 170 species (albicans, tropicalis, krusei, glabrata, parapsilosis, etc.). The leading role in their occurrence belongs to Candida albicans, which can be found in the vagina as saprophytes. healthy women(candidiasis) and, under appropriate conditions, become pathogenic due to a decrease in defense mechanisms against fungal infection. Prolonged and uncontrolled use of antibiotics, corticosteroids, high-dose hormonal contraceptives, oncological, hematological, severe infectious diseases, radiation therapy, immunodeficiency conditions contribute to a decrease in the body's resistance, change the normal microbiocenosis of the vagina, destroy the barrier mechanisms that normally block the reproduction of fungi. Predisposing factors for the development of the disease, including in pregnant women, are also wearing tight clothes, obesity, non-compliance hygiene conditions, hot climate. Yeast-like fungi enter the female genital tract from the intestines, through household items, and sexually transmitted infection is also possible.

One of the features of the VC course is the combination of fungi with a highly active bacterial flora, which creates a favorable background for the introduction of fungi into tissues. Often the disease acquires a persistent, chronic and relapsing course, unresponsive to ongoing therapy. This is due to the deep penetration of fungi into the cells of the stratified epithelium, which is lined with the genital tract, where they can stay for a long time and even multiply, being protected from the action. medicines.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis is 3-4 times more common in pregnant women due to changes in the immunological and hormonal status, increased susceptibility to various infectious influences. Consequently, newborns often have candidiasis of the skin, oral mucosa, conjunctivitis.

For fungal infections women complain about the appearance of itching and burning in the vulva, an increase in the amount of leucorrhoea milky, the appearance of an odor. The disease may be accompanied by urological lesions - acute and chronic forms of candidal pyelocystitis.

Diagnosis of candidiasis is made by well-known laboratory methods: microscopy, PCR and others. Treatment of the disease is complex - general and local action. AT complex therapy VK also use vitamin therapy and immunostimulating drugs.

Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis is a disease (or infectious non-inflammatory syndrome) in which the vaginal environment is dominated not by lactobacilli, but by an association of microbes and gardnerella.

In healthy women, lactobacilli, non-pathogenic corynebacteria and coagulase-negative staphylococci are most often found in the vagina. Violation of the quantitative ratio different bacteria under the influence of certain factors leads to clinical manifestations of the infectious process in the vagina (vaginitis and / or vaginosis). The displacement of other members of the microbial community by one of the opportunistic species leads to the development of clinical symptoms of vaginitis with a local leukocyte reaction and other signs of inflammation.

The main complaints of women- liquid, with an unpleasant odor, a homogeneous consistency of discharge that sticks to the walls of the vagina, discomfort. With a long-term process of selection, they acquire a yellowish-greenish color.

Bacterial vaginosis common in pregnant women women. During pregnancy, under the influence of hormones, the vaginal mucosa undergoes changes, the pH level decreases, which creates favorable conditions for the quantitative increase of certain microorganisms.

Diagnosis is carried out by known laboratory methods, the examination should be carried out on both sexual partners.

In the treatment of bacterial vaginitis, the following principles should be observed: treatment of both sexual partners carried out simultaneously, during the period of treatment it is recommended to refrain from sexual activity and use alcoholic beverages. At the same time, general conditions are corrected (chronic diseases, hypovitaminosis, hypoestrogenism), attention is paid to increasing the general immune status organism and general resistance. The use of adequate antibiotic therapy against the background of general anti-inflammatory measures and local procedures is the key to a complete recovery.

papillomavirus infection

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are considered dangerous because they are predisposing factors for the development of precancerous diseases of the genitals and cause squamous cell carcinoma in men and women. Human papillomavirus infection (PVI) of the genitals is a sexually transmitted disease. The most well-known manifestation of PVI to practitioners is genital and anal genital warts (in homosexuals it occurs 5-10 times more often than in heterosexuals). AT recent times the frequency of papillomavirus lesions of the larynx and bronchi in children is increasing, which is considered as a result of infection of women during pregnancy. HPV infection can also be passed from parents to children.

The incubation period of this infection lasts from one to nine months. Allocate clinical, subclinical and latent forms of HPV infection. The first is characterized by the presence of visible warty lesions, the presence of genital warts, which can degenerate into carcinomas, leading to cancer of the cervix and ovaries. Forms of the disease that do not manifest themselves clinically can be detected only with the help of colposcopy, cytological or histological examination. Spontaneous cure of HPV infection is impossible, so genital warts must be removed regardless of their size and location. During pregnancy, the disease can progress greatly.

It is believed that papilloma viral infection is introduced into the body of a woman against the background of changes in the immune system, and local manifestations are recorded earlier, which necessitates immunocorrection.

Risk factors for developing HPV infection: sexual behavior(early onset of sexual activity, a large number of partners, frequent sexual contacts); the presence of partners who had contact with a woman with anogenital warts or cervical cancer; other STDs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis, HSV, etc.); smoking, alcohol; pregnancy; endometriosis; internal factors(avitaminosis, changes in immune status).

During pregnancy, warts often increase and can reach large sizes, but often regress after childbirth. Most authors recommend their active treatment, since they represent a focus of infection that increases the risk of infection of the fetus. In addition, large formations can cause complications during childbirth; children have an increased risk of papillomatosis of the larynx and other organs.

The methods of choice in the treatment are cryotherapy, Solcoderm and TCA, also use a laser, electrocoagulation or surgical methods. A comprehensive combined treatment of both partners taking into account comorbidities.

Trichomoniasis

In obstetric and gynecological practice, among vulvovaginitis, trichomonas and vulvovaginal candidiasis are most often detected, which account for more than 2/3 of cases. Trichomonas vaginalis is often found in association with mycoplasmas, gonococcus, chlamydia, fungi.

In women, the habitat of Trichomonas is the vagina, in men - the prostate gland and seminal vesicles. The urethra is affected in both men and women. Trichomonas are fixed on the cells of the squamous epithelium of the vaginal mucosa, penetrate into the glands and lacunae. Infection comes from a sick person. Women with multiple sexual partners suffer from trichomoniasis 3.5 times more often than women with one partner. The incubation period is on average 515 days.

Trichomoniasis is characterized copious yellow-grey fetid frothy liquid discharge from the genital tract, irritation and severe itching vulva, burning and painful urination. Clinical symptoms aggravated after menstruation. Transition of infection to chronic stage occurs by gradual subsidence of acute and subacute phenomena. Relapses most often develop after sexual intercourse, drinking alcoholic beverages, with a decrease in body resistance, impaired ovarian function and changes in the pH of the contents of the vagina.

Chronic trichomoniasis, as a rule, is a mixed bacterial process, since Trichomonas is a reservoir for chlamydia, ureaplasmas, gonococci, staphylococci and other flora. Trichomonas carrying should be understood as the presence of Trichomonas in the human body in the absence of clinical signs of the disease. Significant disorders that develop in the body of patients with mixed urogenital infections are difficult to correct, which contributes to the occurrence of relapses and causes an extremely persistent course of the process, despite the use of appropriate treatment. Relapses occur in more than 20% of cases.

Genital herpes

Herpes is a fever accompanied by the appearance of blisters on the skin and mucous membranes. Herpes infections are a group of infectious diseases caused by human herpes viruses, the most common of which is herpes simplex virus. Over 90% of people on the planet are infected with this virus, about 20% of them have clinical manifestations of the infection.

There are two types of herpes simplex virus: type 1 virus and type 2 virus. Genital herpes is a type 2 virus, however, both types of viruses are now often found in infected people. The herpes simplex virus is transmitted by contact through the liquid media of the body of a sick person (blood, saliva, semen, secretion of mucous membranes) with sensitive areas of the body of a healthy person.

The virus is dangerous because, once introduced into the human body, it remains in it forever. With a decrease in immunity, colds, hypothermia, pregnancy and other factors, the insidious intervention is activated and gives local and general clinical manifestations. In addition to damage to the skin and mucous membranes, it can be the causative agent of some inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system(meningitis, encephalitis), ENT organs, respiratory organs, of cardio-vascular system, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary system, eyes, as well as contribute to the development of cervical and prostate cancer. The herpes simplex virus can lead to pathology of pregnancy and childbirth, spontaneous abortions, intrauterine death fetus, cause a generalized infection in newborns.

Genital herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. Women get genital herpes more often than men. Distinguish primary and recurrent genital herpes. The primary in most cases is asymptomatic, turning into a latent carriage of the virus or a recurrent form of the disease.

With the manifestation of the disease for the first time, the incubation period lasts 1-10 days. Patients may be disturbed by itching, burning, soreness in the area of ​​the lesion, fever, chills, increased inguinal lymph nodes. These symptoms disappear with the onset of an acute period, when characteristic vesicles with reddening around appear on the mucous membranes of the genital organs and adjacent areas of the skin, which open after 2-4 days, forming erosions and ulcers. At the same time, complaints of pain in the lower abdomen, itching, rapid, painful urination, sometimes headache , slight fever, increase lymph nodes near the genitals, etc. The acute period usually lasts no more than 8-10 days. After that, all visible manifestations of the disease disappear, and the patient often considers himself recovered. The illusion of recovery is enhanced by taking various (for example, anti-inflammatory) drugs, which, in fact, do not affect the disease even after several days of taking them acute period disease ends.

After the primary case, under the influence of various provoking factors (sex life, stress, menstruation, hypothermia, etc.), a relapse of the disease occurs. The frequency of relapses can be different: from once every 2-3 years to monthly exacerbations. With relapses, all symptoms of the disease are expressed, as a rule, weaker.

Recurrent genital herpes can occur in typical form (accompanied by herpetic eruptions), atypical form (without rashes and appear as recurrent erosions, habitual miscarriage pregnancy, infertility, chronic inflammatory diseases internal genital organs - colpitis, vulvovaginitis, endocervicitis, etc.) and in the form asymptomatic carrier infections (viruses).

Currently, in 40-75% of cases, genital herpes proceeds atypically, i.e. without the appearance of herpetic eruptions. In such cases, there are complaints of itching, burning, leucorrhoea, not amenable to conventional treatment. Often atypical forms herpes are not recognized and patients are treated for a long time and without effect with antibiotics and other drugs, often causing the development of dysbacteriosis, allergic reactions.

Asymptomatic forms of genital herpes are the most dangerous for the spread of infection, as patients are sexually active, unaware that they are infecting their partners. The herpes simplex virus is easily detected by known laboratory methods, but, unfortunately, it is sometimes detected by chance during a virological examination of sexual partners or infertile couples.

The goal of herpes treatment is to suppress the reproduction and spread of the virus, to restore certain disorders caused by the activation of the virus in the human body. Currently, there are no drugs that can destroy the herpes simplex virus. Two main directions in the treatment of the disease are the use of specific antiviral agents and immunotherapy.

The opinion is erroneous that if it is almost impossible to get rid of herpes, then it is not necessary to go to the doctor. Of course it is not! The sooner treatment begins, the easier the disease will proceed and the fewer relapses and consequences.

STD diagnosis

Scraping is used as a material for laboratory research on sexually transmitted diseases. epithelial cells from the urethra, vagina and cervical canal, if necessary - blood.

Laboratory methods for diagnosing STDs: virological methods for detecting and identifying viruses, methods for detecting virus antigens (immunofluorescence and linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)), polymerase chain reaction(PCR), cytomorphological methods, detection of antibodies using ELISA, methods for assessing the immune status.

At the slightest suspicion contact the experts!

Sexually transmitted infections are a group of sexually transmitted diseases, the main route of transmission of which is unprotected sexual contact. STDs are clinically heterogeneous nosological entities that are highly contagious, that is, infectious, and therefore carry a direct danger to human health.

What infections are sexually transmitted

The World Health Organization classifies STDs as follows::

1. Common sexually transmitted infections

• lymphogranulomatosis (inguinal form);
• granuloma of the venereal type.

1. Other STDs:

• that affect mainly the organs of the reproductive system:

1. urogenital shigellosis (occurs in persons with homosexual sexual intercourse);
2. trichomoniasis;
3. candidal lesions of the genital organs, manifested by balanoposthitis and vulvovaginitis;
4. gardnerellosis;
5. scabies;
6. flatheads (pubic pediculosis);
7. molluscum contagiosum.

• that affect mainly other organs and systems:

1. sepsis of newborns;
2. lamblia;
3. AIDS;
4. amoebiasis (typical for persons with homosexual contacts).

The main difference of any STD representative is its high susceptibility to changes in conditions in environment. For infection, there must be direct contact of a sick person with a healthy person, and in some cases this is not necessarily sexual intercourse, household contact will be enough, as, for example, in the case of viral disease. The danger increases in the presence of defects in the integrity of the mucous membranes and skin, which are the entry gates for any infection. The risk of contracting STDs increases significantly through anal intercourse, the use of common personal hygiene products and sexual toys. note: almost all viral and bacterial sexually transmitted diseases penetrate the placental barrier, that is, they are transmitted to the fetus in utero and disrupt its physiological development. Sometimes the consequences of such infection appear only a few years after the birth of a child in the form of dysfunction of the heart, liver, kidneys, developmental disorders. Regarding the type of pathogen, venereal diseases are:

There are the following reasons that contribute to the spread of STDs:

• very close household contacts;
• unprotected sex, which also includes anal and oral;
• use of shared towels;
• non-observance of the necessary rules for the sterilization of instruments (diseases are transmitted through contaminated instruments in medical, dental, cosmetology institutions, as well as in manicure and tattoo parlors);
• procedure for transfusion of blood and its elements;
• parenteral administration of drugs;
• transplantation of organs and tissues.

STDs: symptoms

The clinical picture of sexually transmitted diseases is slightly different, but, in general, there are a number of signs that are characteristic of almost each of them:

• excessive weakness;
• purulent or mucous discharge from the urethra;
• cloudy urine;
• burning and itching in the genital area;
• enlarged lymph nodes in the groin;
• discomfort during intercourse and urination;
• ulcers and ulcers in the groin, on the external genitalia;

In other organs, symptoms may appear depending on the type of infection in which other systems are affected. For example, the liver suffers from hepatitis, the bones are affected in the last stages of syphilis, the joints can be affected by chlamydia.

Symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases in women

The presence of certain symptoms of STDs in women is explained by the peculiarities of their physiology. The following signs should alert the woman and become a reason for an extraordinary visit to the gynecologist:

• pain and dryness during sex;
• single or group enlargement of lymph nodes;
• dysmenorrhea (violations of the normal menstrual cycle);
• pain and discharge from the anus;
• itching in the perineum;
• anus irritation;
• rash on the labia or around the anus, mouth, body;
• atypical vaginal discharge (green, frothy, odorous, bloody);
• frequent painful urge to urinate;
• swelling of the vulva.

Sexually transmitted diseases in men: symptoms

You can suspect an STD in men by the following signs:

• blood in semen;
• frequent and painful urge to urinate;
• low-grade fever (not with all diseases);
• problems with normal ejaculation;
• pain in the scrotum;
• discharge from the urethra (white, purulent, mucous, with a smell);
• rash different kind on the head of the penis, the penis itself, around it.

Important: Most venereal pathologies are asymptomatic. It is very important to contact medical assistance immediately after the onset of the first symptoms, to prevent progression and the addition of complications.

Diagnostics

If there are any suspicious signs from the genitals, especially after unprotected sexual contact, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. Self-medication in this case is fraught with complications and serious consequences. Sometimes the symptoms of STDs disappear some time after the onset, and the patient thinks that he is healthy and everything went away by itself. But this only means that the disease has become latent, that is, hidden form and continues to circulate in the body. Important: if suspicious symptoms are detected, it is imperative to notify your sexual partner and undergo an examination with him andget tested for STDs. The diagnostic scheme includes such items:

• Poll. The doctor collects a detailed history of the disease from the patient, he asks about complaints, the duration of their appearance and severity. Usually, a patient who has already turned to a doctor has various elements (ulcers, rashes, erosions) on the skin and mucous membranes of the genital organs, pain, burning, itching during urination. It is also important to find out the number of sexual partners, previous sexually transmitted diseases, contraceptive methods used, whether there were unprotected sexual contacts. A woman is having a mandatory gynecological examination, and for a man urological, during which the specialist detects objective symptoms of STDs. If necessary, it is also possible to consult a dermatovenereologist.
• Laboratory research. They are the basis for confirming the diagnosis. An analysis for sexually transmitted infections involves examining the patient's blood and other body fluids.

In particular, the following diagnostic methods are used:

Treatment of sexually transmitted infections

Appropriate therapy is always prescribed only by the attending physician based on the results of the tests. Depending on the identified pathogen, a treatment regimen is drawn up.
Most diseases are successfully treated, but there are some that are considered incurable.:

• hepatitis C;
• herpes 1 and 2 types;

At the same time, supportive therapy allows you to remove the symptoms and alleviate the patient's condition. Among the medicines prescribed by a doctor, the following groups of drugs can be used:

• to activate the body's immune response;
• antiviral, allowing to accelerate remission when the viral infection enters the latent phase;
• hepatoprotectors are used to support the liver in its severe lesions;
• cardiac glycosides support the work of the heart muscle;
• vitamin-mineral complexes are part of general strengthening therapy;

STIs in men can be grouped into three categories:

1. Infections that cause lesions on the genitals (ulcers, pimples and formations on the genitals).
2. Sexually transmitted infections, which mainly lead to inflammation of the urethra, urethra (urethritis) in men.
3. Systemic STIs, due to which corresponding symptoms appear throughout the body.

Some infections (such as syphilis and gonorrhea) that cause local symptoms or urethritis, are also able to provoke damage to other organs and spread in the body if they are not treated in time.

Depending on the specific infection, lesions on the genitals are in the form of warts, painful sores, and vesicles on the male genitals. STIs that lead to urethritis have early signs and symptoms often associated with urinary tract infection, including discomfort, painful or burning sensation during urination and discharge from the urethra.

INCUBATION PERIOD OF STIS IN MEN: TABLE

STD: LIST OF INFECTIONS IN MEN

AT next list describes the signs, symptoms and treatments for the most common sexually transmitted infections in men.

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that is common among sexually active young people. This disease is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Both men and women are infected, many of them show no signs of illness. One of the most common symptoms that this infection causes in men is a burning sensation and discomfort when urinating (urethritis). Chlamydia can also lead to inflammation and pain in the testicles. Chlamydial infection is usually treated with antibiotics such as azithromycin. Sometimes a second infection (relapse) can occur, especially when sexual partner an infected male is not treated.

1. Gonorrhea

Like chlamydia, gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that does not always have symptoms and often goes undiagnosed, i.e. hidden. Gonorrhea also sometimes causes urethritis in men, which results in burning or pain when urinating and discharge from the urethra. Gonorrhea is caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonococcus). If this STI in a man has symptoms, they occur approximately 4-8 days after infection. Gonorrhea can also cause infections in the rectum and throat. In addition, bacteria (gonococci) can spread inside the body, causing symptoms such as skin rashes and joint pain. Antibiotics, such as Cefiximum, are commonly used to treat gonorrhea in men. Doctors often prescribe treatment for chlamydia at the same time as gonorrhea medications, because the two infections often occur together.

1. Trichomoniasis

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the most dangerous STI because it causes dysfunction of the body's immune system. Not specific symptoms, which signal HIV infection, but some men develop a fever and flu-like condition 2 to 4 weeks after infection. Once active immune suppression by the virus begins, serious complications such as unusual (lingering and persistent) infections, certain types of cancer, and dementia. There are many drugs available today to delay or prevent the progression of the disease.

Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) in men cause painful blisters (similar in part to pimples) on areas of the body that come into contact with a partner's skin during intercourse. They can be transmitted through any kind of sexual contact. As a rule, herpes type 1 causes ulcers around the mouth, while HSV type 2 (HSV-2) is genital herpes, but at the same time, both types can infect the genital area. As with some other STIs, a man can be infected with HSV and not have any or very faint signs. Even when the visible symptoms go away, the infection can still be passed on to another person.

The lesions caused by HSV usually take the form of painful blisters that eventually break open to form ulcers and then crusts. In men, the wounds are usually on the penis, scrotum, buttocks, anus, inside the urethra, or on the skin of the thighs. The first outbreak of herpes infection is usually more severe than subsequent outbreaks and may be accompanied by fever and swollen lymph nodes.

HSV infection is not curable and persists for life. It can cause a relapse at any time, although different people their number and severity vary. Antivirals can shorten the severity and duration of an outbreak. For men with frequent relapses, longer courses are recommended. antiviral therapy(even when symptoms are no longer observed).

1. Genital warts (HPV)

Human papillomavirus infection (HPV) is a very common STI. There are many HPV types who have different manifestations. Because of some of them, there are formations on the body that are not related to STIs, other types appear after unprotected intercourse, causing genital warts. Some types of HPV cause precancerous conditions and cervical cancer in women. Most people with HPV infection do not develop genital warts or cancer, and the body is able to suppress the infection on its own. To date, it is believed that more than 75% of sexually active people have been infected with papillomavirus at some point in their lives. When HPV causes genital warts in men, the lesions appear as soft, fleshy, raised bumps on the penis or anal area. Sometimes they are larger and take on a cauliflower-like appearance.

There is no cure for HPV, but the symptoms of the virus often go away on their own. If this does not happen, you can undergo a procedure to remove genital warts (laser, acid preparations or liquid nitrogen). Boys and girls who have not yet become sexually active are vaccinated against the most common and dangerous types of HPV.

1. Hepatitis - inflammation of the liver

Hepatitis B and C - two viral diseases that can be sexually transmitted. Both hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are transmitted through contact with the blood of an infected person or during sexual intercourse, similar to the HIV virus. Hepatitis B sometimes causes no symptoms, but in about 50% of cases it can cause acute hepatitis. The danger of contracting hepatitis B is that in about 5% of those infected, the disease becomes chronic. People with chronic hepatitis B are at an increased risk of developing liver cancer. However, an effective vaccine has already been created to prevent this disease. Treatment for the acute stage includes supportive care and rest, and men with chronic hepatitis are also treated with interferon or antivirals.

Unlike Hep. B, hepatitis C is rarely transmitted sexually and is usually spread by contact with the blood of an infected person. However, this virus can also be transmitted to a man through sexual contact. Most people infected with the hepatitis C virus do not have symptoms, so the disease often occurs in an advanced stage. Unlike hepatitis B, most people with HCV infection (75-85% of those infected) have chronic infection with possible liver damage. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C yet.

1. Syphilis

Syphilis is a bacterial infection caused by Treponema pallidum(pale treponema). If left untreated, the disease progresses through three phases and may also remain dormant. Initial manifestation - painless ulcer, called a chancre, at the site of the genitals. Chancre develops 10-90 days after infection and resolves in 3-6 weeks. Syphilis can be treated with antibiotics, but if the first stage of this infection is missed, secondary syphilis can develop. At secondary syphilis the disease spreads to other organs, causing various symptoms, which may include skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, arthritis, kidney disease, or liver problems. After this stage, the man will have a latent infection for many years, after which tertiary syphilis develops. Tertiary syphilis can cause a variety of serious conditions, including infection of the brain, development of nodes called gummas, aortic aneurysms, vision loss, and deafness. Today, syphilis is curable with proper antibiotic treatment.

STD TESTS IN MEN: HOW TO TAKE

Many STDs are diagnosed based on visual examination (clinical presentation and characteristic physical signs). For example, herpes and syphilis tend to have overt symptoms. Often the detection of infection depends on general condition and body immunity.

Testing for chlamydia in men can be done on a urine sample. In this case, no preparation is required, but at least one hour before testing, you should not urinate. Scraping may also be used. To detect antibodies (which appear in response to an infection in the body), a blood sample is examined, in this case, before taking it, you must abstain from food for at least 4 hours.

To determine trichomoniasis, the PCR method can be used. In this case, scraping, prostate secretion, ejaculate or morning urine are taken for analysis. It is not recommended to take tests against the background of antibiotic treatment, unless it is prescribed by a doctor. Similarly, conduct a study on gonococci.

A blood sample is usually used to detect HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis. For diagnosis of herpes and human papillomavirus, a swab or scraping is most often taken.

Which doctor to take an analysis and a smear for STIs for a man

A swab from the urethra or blood from a vein / finger for sexually transmitted infections can be taken from a man by a doctor of the laboratory (woman or man) in which the study will be carried out. If the smear is planned to be taken in free clinic, then an appointment for a study that is issued by a general practitioner, urologist, venereologist or dermatovenereologist may be required.

Some STIs may require consultation with other specialists, such as a gastroenterologist (for hepatitis) or an immunologist (for HIV).

TREATMENT OF STIS IN MEN

STIs in men can be treated by a urologist, venereologist or dermatovenereologist. Syphilis and gonorrhea are usually treated in a dermatovenerological dispensary, as this serious illnesses requiring professional supervision and adherence to the treatment regimen.

Sexually transmitted viral infections, such as HPV, can clear up on their own. Since there is no cure for papillomas, the treatment for genital warts is to remove them.

Hepatitis B and, to a greater extent, hepatitis C can persist and develop into a chronic infection. For their treatment, antiviral drugs and interferon can be used. Medicines to treat HIV can control the infection but do not completely cure the virus. Genital herpes persists for life, although antiviral drugs may reduce the severity and frequency of flare-ups.

The consequences of STIs for men's health

Without proper treatment, some STDs begin to spread throughout the body and affect the entire body, causing far-reaching consequences. Gonorrhea and syphilis are examples of such treatable conditions that can cause serious consequences if they are not detected in time. HIV infection causes immune suppression that can lead to death from cancer or rare infections, although treatment can delay or delay the immunosuppressive effects of the virus. Hepatitis B and C can cause liver damage, which sometimes progresses to organ failure. Herpetic infection persists throughout life and may reappear periodically. STIs can also cause infertility.

Prevention of STIs in men

Condom use helps prevent the transmission of some STIs, but no prevention method is 100% safe. Sometimes STIs affect areas of the body that a man would normally not be protected by a condom during intercourse. Other common cause infection is that preventive measures are ignored if the partner does not have visible signs infection and symptoms of STIs, or enter into unprotected contact without waiting for the partner to be completely cured (lack of visible symptoms does not always mean recovery). Limiting the number of unprotected sex helps reduce the risk of contracting infections, and early diagnosis with counseling and treatment can help prevent further spread of sexually transmitted infections.

STD symptoms in men

Sexually transmitted diseases are very diverse, but they are united by a tendency to become chronic. pathological process especially when treated late. In this article, we will analyze the main symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases in men, as well as the actions necessary to confirm the disease.

STDs - an abbreviation that means an infectious disease with a high degree of contagiousness and is transmitted mainly through sexual contact, they also use the abbreviation STI - sexually transmitted infections, and among doctors it is customary to call such diseases venereal, but not all sexually transmitted infections are.

Major STDs in men

The bulk of sexually transmitted diseases affects both men and women, but it is possible to identify diseases that most often affect men. In the practice of urologists and dermatovenereologists, a large number of different classifications of sexually transmitted diseases are used. But in practice, the most convenient and understandable is the classification according to etiological characteristics, i.e. on the causative agent that caused STDs or STIs.

The most common diseases affecting the male reproductive system and urinary tract include:

Diseases of a bacterial nature: syphilis, chlamydia, ureoplasmosis, mycoplasmosis, gonorrhea and others,

Protozoa: Trichomonas is the most common protozoan that causes trichomoniasis,

Viruses: herpes (genital herpes in men), papillomavirus (papillomavirus infection), HIV - have a systemic effect on the body, as well as the development of neoplasms at the site of injury.

Pubic pediculosis

All of the above STIs (sexually transmitted infections) tend to affect the urogenital tract and reproductive organs men, which determines the signs of sexually transmitted diseases in men through the formation of a characteristic clinical picture.

Effect on the body

It is important to understand that all sexually transmitted infections have different effects on the body and cause pathology. different localization and severity, which helps to conduct a differential diagnosis and identify a specific pathogen. Some infectious agents affect only the urinary system and have characteristic local symptoms: an unpleasant odor, rash and itching.

Local venereal diseases include: candidiasis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, ureoplasmosis and others. However, another part can cause systemic phenomena with the development of a pathological process in various bodies and systems. For example, with syphilis primary symptom is a hard chancre in the form of an ulcer on the skin of the penis. If you miss the moment of the onset of the disease, then syphilis goes into a latent form and gradually destroys almost all tissues of the human body. With the transition of syphilis to a latent form, the diagnosis of the disease is seriously hampered, which can lead to diagnostic errors.

HIV infection is especially insidious, which does not cause local damage to the genital organs, does not have a specific clinical picture, but destroys the cells of the immune system, which leads to the development of serious complications. Lymphadenopathy is the only typical symptom disease and is manifested by an increase in almost all lymph nodes. Lymphadenopathy is not accompanied by pain, so only an experienced doctor can suspect it during a physical examination of the patient. Years and sometimes even decades later, HIV infection gradually turns into terminal stage- AIDS, when the immune system is completely destroyed.

Sexually transmitted diseases affecting the genitals and urinary system

These STIs include gonococci, chlamydia, uroplasmas and mycoplasmas, as well as fungi of the genus Candida.

These infections are characterized by damage to the external and internal genital organs of a man. venereal disease in acute form affect the organs of the genitourinary tract and cause their inflammation: urethritis, cystitis, prostatitis and others.

Herpesvirus and papillomavirus lead to the formation of ulcers or growths in the vulva or can lead to cancer of the reproductive system.

AT chronic form sexually transmitted diseases may not give any clinical picture, in which case the course is considered latent.

STD symptoms in men

The symptoms of STDs in men are varied and vary according to the different stages of the disease that caused them. So you can distinguish the primary signs of sexually transmitted diseases and secondary.

Smell. The appearance of an unusual smell is a sign of an STD. Most venereal diseases cause purulent-inflammatory reactions on the part of the diseased organism. For gonorrhea and others bacterial infections sexually transmitted, purulent processes occur in the urethra and prostate, which are accompanied by the appearance of a very bad smell, especially at the time of separation of purulent masses from the urethra.

Itching and burning. The first sign of a sexually transmitted disease in men is the appearance of itching and burning in the intimate area. Most often, severe itching occurs directly at the site of the development of an infectious-inflammatory reaction in response to the introduction of an infectious agent. Burning in the groin is associated with irritation of nerve endings due to inflammation and swelling of the tissues of the urogenital tract and internal genital organs. In other situations, burning in the groin can be caused by a fungal infection of the skin, since fungi of the genus Candida multiply mainly in a humid environment and when elevated temperature. The most characteristic site of the lesion is the groin. When the pathogen is localized in the genitourinary tract, itching and burning occur at the time of urination.

Eruptions. Symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases in men are often accompanied by skin rashes. Changes in the skin of the external genitalia, pubis and inguinal region may be of a different nature. Acne on the penis can occur due to the defeat of pale treponema with syphilis, herpes virus infection and candidiasis.

Pain. Symptoms of STIs in men are often accompanied by pain. Localization pain almost always coincides with the site of the lesion or is directly determined in the projection of the organ that has undergone an infectious-inflammatory process. Pain occurs due to irritation of sensitive nerve fibers due to massive tissue edema.

Discomfort during sex are also symptoms of STDs. In addition, a man may experience discomfort during ejaculation or during urination, which also indicates damage to the genitourinary tract.

Damage to the oral mucosa. Symptoms of STDs in men in the mouth are not as common. However, the symptom of mucosal damage oral cavity is important in establishing a diagnosis. Ulceration occurs in the mouth, the color of the mucous membranes changes to yellowish, and there may also be manifestations of tonsillitis. When affected by a herpes virus infection, rashes on the lips can often be found.

For hidden infections affecting the male genital organs, the above symptoms are also characteristic, but their severity is much lower, to the point that a sick man may simply not notice them. Latent sexual infections include mycoplasmosis, ureoplasmosis, chlamydia, and the human papillomavirus.

Papillomas

The first signs of STDs in men with these diseases begin to form much later than the time of infection. This period is called incubation or latent. The asymptomatic period can last up to two months, while an infectious process develops in the body all the time, and the man most often does not suspect about it. Symptoms of latent STDs in men may appear after a decrease in general immunity against the background of other diseases, which greatly complicates the diagnostic search.

Asymptomatic venereal diseases

STDs without symptoms in men are represented by diseases such as ureaplasmosis, genital herpes and human papillomavirus infection. These diseases, under some circumstances, may not cause any clinical manifestations for many months. Despite this, ureaplasmosis, genital herpes and human papillomavirus infection slowly progress and have a detrimental effect on the tissues and organs of a sick man. These infections are often found in scheduled checkups and are an unexpected find for men. In order not to miss sexually transmitted diseases without symptoms in men, you need to be examined once a year.

Diagnostics and necessary tests

When a man contacts a specialist and if an STD is suspected, the urologist or dermatovenereologist directs the patient to undergo a standard diagnostic complex. After passing the research, the specialist conducts a differential diagnosis and establishes the cause of the disease. Just before heading to diagnostic procedures the specialist performs an examination and physical examination of the patient to compile the most complete clinical picture of the disease. Tests for STDs are described in detail on our website.

List of standard diagnostic procedures:

A smear from the urethral canal with subsequent bacterioscopic examination;

Sowing biological material from the patient on nutrient media. Sowing and microscopy are an obligatory research method, as they are highly informative;

ELISA allows you to identify specific pathogens and hidden infectious processes in the body of the patient;

Ultrasound of the internal genital organs to identify the degree of activity of the inflammatory process;

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the most expensive research method, but the most accurate to date.

The above research methods make it possible to identify all the most common sexually transmitted diseases when the first signs of STDs appear in men, as well as to determine the degree of organ damage and the severity of the disease.