1. A condom, if
correctly used, is an effective
protection against
all the STDs.
2. Most
of these diseases don't
give any symptom in
their first stages: this means you can get infected without even knowing it,
which increases the risks.
3. A
well timed diagnosis
is essential: if you notice skin stains, bumps, any kind of
irritation in the genitals zone, or anything abnornal in the urinary
function, refer to your doctor immediatly.
Gonorrhoea
Or Blenorrhoea (also said "clap"). It's among the most
common ones. Incubation: 2-3 days from infection.
Symptoms in male: burning sensation while urinating, yellowish pus or
mucus emissions from the penis.
The disease is diagnosed by analysis of the infected secretions.
Therapy: antibiotics. Certain and quick recovery in 100 per cent of cases if
diagnosed in time.
Syphilis
Also said Lues. Serious
infection, today less widespread than in the past and
perfectly treatable.
Incubation: from 3 to 90 days from infection.
Symptoms
at 1st stage: a
reddish lesion shaped like a spreading stain appears, not hurting and
spontaneously vanishing in a few weeks. This causes the first symptoms
of syphilis being mistaken for a simple, temporary skin irritation.
Symptoms
at 2nd stage: skin
eruptions, dark red stains in different parts of the body, flu-like
malaise. This phase can last even more than one year, during which the sick
person is extremely contagious in sexual intercourses.
Symptoms
at 3rd stage:
all symptoms disappear again, and everything can seem normal for years. In
this phase the disease can be discovered only by a specific blood
test.
If not treated it goes on attacking vital organs, with serious
consequences, to chronic illness or death.
Therapy:
penicillin. Recovery within a few days in 100 per cent of cases if the disease
is discovered and treated in its initial phases.
Urethritis
The most common sexually transmitted infection which can be found in
males. It's an inflammation of the urethra (the tiny tube inside the penis
through which both urine and semen flow).
Symptoms: whitish discharge from penis, intermittent pains, burning
sensation while urinating.
Therapy: antibiotics.
Herpes
Viral infection.
Symptoms start showing 4-7 days from the infection. Symptoms in male:
groups of vesicles on penis or anus, which start to ulcerate causing a
strong
burning sensation, then healing by themselves in 10-20 days. Possible
pains while urinating or
having sex.
The disease can show up periodically again.
Hepatitis
B
It's
not specifically a venereal disease, but its virus transmission can occurr
even through sexual intercourse.
Symptoms: yellowish colour of eyes and skin, general illness
related to liver malfunction.
Risk of
later serious
complications. Vaccine available.
Genital
Warts
Also said
"Cock's Combs". Groups of little dark or pink not painful
bumps on genitals or around anus.
Therapy: surgical removal in local anaesthesia, in day-hospital.
Other
specific infections (mycosis, trichomonyasis etc.) hit women then
being transmitted to their partners, and several more viruses viruses can be contracted having sex.
Refer to
your doctor immediately if you notice any suspect symptoms.