Prevention of sexual infectious diseases. Treatment of sexual infection. For the accuracy of the results, it is better to combine several different research methods.

Date of writing: 23.04.2022

Reading time: 26 minutes

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are passed from one person to another through unprotected sex or genital contact.

Below is an overview of various STDs with links to more detailed information about them.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections, easily transmitted during sex. Most people do not experience any symptoms and therefore do not know they are infected.

In women, chlamydia can cause pain or burning when urinating, as well as vaginal discharge, pain in the lower abdomen during or after intercourse, bleeding during or after intercourse, or between periods. It can also lead to heavy periods.

In men, chlamydia can cause pain or burning when urinating, white, cloudy or watery discharge from the penis, and pain or discomfort in the testicles.

Chlamydia can also infect the rectum, throat, or eyes.

Chlamydia is diagnosed by a urinalysis or a swab taken from an infected area. The infection is easily treated with antibiotics, but if left untreated can lead to serious long-term health problems, including infertility.

genital warts

Genital warts (genital warts) are small growths, bumps, or skin changes that appear on or around your genitals or anus. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Warts are usually painless, but you may notice some itching or redness. Sometimes they bleed.

It is not necessary to have penetrative sexual intercourse to transmit the infection, as HPV is transmitted through skin contact. Genital warts are treated with several methods, including ointments and cryotherapy (freezing the warts).

Genital herpes

Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), the same virus that causes cold sores.

Some people develop symptoms of HSV a few days after coming into contact with the virus. There are usually small, painful sores or sores that may itch, sting, or hurt when urinating. Once you've been infected, the virus remains dormant most of the time. However, certain triggers can reactivate the virus, causing the sores to reappear, although they are usually smaller and less painful.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a disease caused by bacteria that is easily transmitted through sexual contact. About 50% of women and 10% of men do not experience any symptoms and do not know they are infected.

In women, gonorrhea can cause pain or burning when urinating, vaginal discharge (often watery, yellow, or green), pain in the lower abdomen during or after intercourse, bleeding during or after intercourse or between periods, sometimes causing heavy periods.

In men, gonorrhea can cause pain or burning when urinating, a white, cloudy or watery discharge from the penis, and pain or discomfort in the testicles. Gonorrhea can also affect the rectum, throat, or eyes.

Gonorrhea is easily diagnosed with a urine test or a swab taken from the infected area. The infection is easily treated with antibiotics, but if left untreated, it can lead to serious long-term health problems, including infertility.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a disease caused by bacteria that, in its early stages, results in a painless but highly contagious sore on your genitals or around your mouth. An ulcer can last up to 6 weeks and then go away.

Secondary symptoms may then appear, such as a rash, a flu-like condition, or uneven hair loss. They may pass within a few weeks, after which there will be a period when you will not experience any symptoms.

Late, or tertiary, syphilis usually occurs many years later and can cause serious health problems such as heart disease, paralysis, and blindness.

The symptoms of syphilis are not always easy to recognize. A routine blood test can most often show the presence of syphilis at any stage. It can be treated with antibiotics, usually penicillin injections. With proper treatment, late stages of syphilis can be avoided.

HIV AIDS

HIV is most commonly transmitted during unprotected sex. It can also be transmitted through contaminated blood - for example, when using a single injection needle.

The HIV virus attacks and weakens the immune system, making it less able to fight infections and diseases. There is no cure for HIV, but treatments are available that allow most people to live long and otherwise healthy lives.

AIDS is the last stage of HIV, when your body is no longer able to fight life-threatening infections.

Most people with HIV appear healthy and have no symptoms. When you first contract HIV, you may develop flu-like symptoms with a fever, sore throat, or rash. This is called seroconversion disease.

Usually, a routine blood test is used to detect HIV infection. Some clinics may also offer a rapid test using a fingerstick blood test or a saliva sample.

In women, trichomonas can cause foul-smelling, frothy, yellow or watery vaginal discharge, irritation or itching around the vagina, and pain when urinating. In men, trichomoniasis rarely causes any symptoms. You may experience pain or burning after urination, gray-yellow or gray-green discharge, or inflammation of the foreskin.

Trichomonas can sometimes be difficult to diagnose and your GP may refer you to a specialized clinic for a urinalysis or pap smear. Once diagnosed, trichomoniasis is treated with antibiotics.

Examination for sexual infections can be done free of charge at the dermatovenerological dispensary or at the antenatal clinic. In addition, you can use paid services or, having familiarized yourself with their price level and reviews of their work on our website.

Localization and translation prepared by site. NHS Choices provided the original content for free. It is available from www.nhs.uk. NHS Choices has not been reviewed, and takes no responsibility for, the localization or translation of its original content

All materials on the site have been checked by doctors. However, even the most reliable article does not allow taking into account all the features of the disease in a particular person. Therefore, the information posted on our website cannot replace a visit to the doctor, but only complements it. Articles are prepared for informational purposes and are advisory in nature.

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The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Expert advice is required!

What are sexual infections? When did they appear?

In the medical scientific literature under the term genital infections understand the totality of infectious diseases that affect the organs of the male and female reproductive system and parts of the urinary tract (urethra, ureter, bladder).

As can be seen from the definition, we are talking exclusively about infectious diseases that are caused by a specific pathogen - some kind of pathogenic microorganism that affects the genitourinary organs, both men and women. Quite an extensive group of sex infections includes a list of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that affect the same organs. Sexually transmitted infections are synonymous with sexually transmitted diseases.

However, a significant difference between the STD group and all sexually transmitted infections is that the latter can be transmitted not only sexually, but also by contact, and affect other organs and systems other than the urinary system (for example, liver, immunity).

Therefore, quite often, sexual infections mean only a group of sexually transmitted diseases, which is not entirely true. The list of sexual infections is quite wide, and the causative agent of the disease can be transmitted both through sexual contact and through household contact (for example, non-compliance with personal hygiene, neglect of the rules of sterility in medical institutions, injuries, etc.).

It is impossible to accurately determine the time of occurrence of genital infections. However, they have been known since ancient times - even the doctors of China, Rome, Greece, Egypt and India described various manifestations of this type of disease. Africa is considered the birthplace of many sexually transmitted infections, where microorganisms are found in the wild that are genetically and morphologically similar to pathogenic pathogens.

The causative agents of genital infections - pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic
microorganisms

The causative agent of a sexual infection can be a pathogenic or opportunistic microorganism. What does it mean?
A pathogenic microorganism is never normally found in the composition of the microflora of a particular human organ, and when it enters the body, it causes the development of an infectious-inflammatory process with features characteristic of this pathogen. The main pathogenic microorganisms that cause the development of genital infections include:

Pale treponema (Treponema pallidum) - the causative agent of syphilis;
Neisseria gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) - the causative agent of gonorrhea;
Trichomonas (Trichomonas vaginalis) - the causative agent of trichomoniasis (trichomoniasis);
Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) - the causative agent of chlamydia;
Herpes virus (Human herpesvirus);
Human papillomavirus (HPV - Human Papillomavirus) - the causative agent of papillomas, warts, cervical erosion.

We have listed only a number of the main pathogenic microorganisms that can cause genital infections. All pathogenic microorganisms are sexually transmitted, but some of them also have a contact route of spread.

The causative agent affects various organs of the reproductive system in women and men, always causing an inflammatory process. It should be remembered that a sexual infection is characterized by the fact that there is a certain pathogen (pathogenic microorganism) that invades the mucous membrane of various organs of the reproductive system, causing inflammation of the latter. This inflammatory process can proceed in different ways, depending on the state of the immune system, the presence of other infections, etc. In order not to write a diagnosis, for example, "gonorrheal urethritis", "gonorrheal vaginitis" or "gonorrheal adnexitis", doctors decided to call the disease simply gonorrhea, specifying the affected organ (for example, gonorrhea, urethritis, etc.). They do the same in the case of other sexually transmitted infections - that is, they indicate the name of the disease as the main diagnosis and specify which organ is affected.

It should be remembered that sexual infections can affect several organs of the urinary tract at the same time. Or, first, a lesion of one organ develops, and then others are involved. In this case, we are talking about the generalization of the pathological process (complication), that is, the involvement of other organs in the inflammatory reaction.

On the basis of the affected organs, all sexual infections can be divided into female and male. So, the following nosologies caused by the causative agent of sexual infection can be attributed to purely "male" pathologies:
1. Inflammation of the penis (for example, balanitis, balanoposthitis).
2. Inflammation of the prostate.

Purely "female" are the following diseases caused by pathogens of genital infections:
1. Inflammation of the ovaries.
2. Inflammation of the uterus.
3. Inflammation of the fallopian tubes.
4. Inflammation of the cervix.
5. Inflammation of the vagina (vaginitis).

Urethritis (inflammation of the urethra), cystitis (inflammation of the bladder), and inflammation of the kidneys or ureters are universal diseases that, when infected with a sexual infection, equally often affect both men and women.

Inflammatory foci of sexual infection can be located in the mouth, vagina, urethra, anus, rectum or perineum, both in men and women. In this situation, the location of the inflammatory focus depends on the type of contact that resulted in the infection. For example, oral sex can lead to the development of oral gonorrhea, and anal contact, respectively, will cause gonorrhea of the anus or rectum, etc.

Genitourinary infections - a general characteristic

The term "genitourinary infections" is often used as a synonym for genital infections. However, experts distinguish between these concepts. The term genitourinary infections is understood as inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract of men and women caused by the causative agent of a sexual infection. Urogenital infections include cystitis, urethritis, pyelonephritis and a number of other, rarer pathologies. In all cases, genitourinary infections are caused by a pathogenic microorganism that has invaded these organs, forming inflammation.

Almost any sexual infection is combined with genitourinary, since urethritis is one of the main and most common signs of the development of STDs. Infection of the urinary organs with pathogens of sexual infections occurs due to their anatomical proximity. So, the urethra (urethra) is located next to the vagina in women and the vas deferens in men.

Urethritis in men is a condition that is more difficult to treat than in women because the canal is much longer. So, the length of the male urethra is 12-15 cm, and the female one is only 4-5 cm. In this situation, urethritis in women is easier to cure, but the risk of complications is also higher, since the pathogen needs to overcome a short distance to go to other organs. In men, urethritis is more difficult to cure, but the risk and rate of complications is somewhat lower, since the pathogen needs to overcome a considerable distance to other organs.

Common symptoms of all genital infections

Of course, each sexual infection has its own characteristics, but all diseases of this group are characterized by a number of common symptoms. So, if you have the following signs, you can suspect infection with any sexual infection:

discharge from the genitals that is different from the usual (for example, profuse, frothy, with a pungent odor, unusual color, etc.);
sensation of itching in the genital and urinary organs;
burning and soreness in the genital and urinary organs;
cloudy urine, change in the amount of urine, etc.;
pus, leukocytes, epithelium, casts or erythrocytes in the general analysis of urine;
a feeling of discomfort in the lower abdomen (drawing pains, aching sensation, etc.);
pain during sexual intercourse;
enlarged lymph nodes, especially inguinal;
development on the skin of various lesions - spots, pustules, vesicles, ulcers, etc.

Ways of infection

Since the causative agents of sexual infections are not adapted to life in natural conditions, their transmission from one person to another is possible only through direct contact. Infection most often occurs through unprotected sexual contact, from a sick person to a healthy one. Infection occurs through any type of sexual contact - vaginal, oral or anal. It should be remembered that the use of various erotic devices (dildos, etc.) during sexual intercourse with a sick person also leads to infection.

In addition to the sexual route of transmission, the pathogen can be transmitted through close household contact, or with contaminated tools. For example, papillomavirus or Trichomonas can be transmitted by sharing towels, sponges and other hygiene items. The scabies mite or pubic louse infects a healthy person simply through everyday contact with the patient, through bed linen, doorknobs, etc. A number of sexually transmitted infections can be transmitted from an ill mother or father to a child, such as during childbirth.

A separate group of ways of transmission of genital infections is non-sterile medical instruments. In this case, the pathogen is transferred when using the tool, first for an infected person, and then, without proper processing, for a healthy person. AIDS and hepatitis can be transmitted through the transfusion of contaminated donated blood that has not passed the necessary checks.

Can sexually transmitted infections be transmitted through oral sex - video

What tests can detect sexually transmitted infections?

Today, there is a wide range of different laboratory methods that allow you to accurately determine the presence or absence of a sexual infection, as well as the type of pathogen and its sensitivity to a medication. So, genital infections can be detected using the following tests:

express test;
bacteriological method;
microscopy of a smear taken from the urinary organs;
immune fluorescence reaction (RIF);
enzyme immunoassay (ELISA);
serological method;
ligase chain reaction;
polymerase chain reaction;
provocative tests.

Rapid tests can be used in emergency cases when it is urgent to determine the presence or absence of a sexual infection (for example, before surgery, etc.). These tests are similar to those for determining pregnancy. However, the accuracy and sensitivity of rapid tests is not high, so they cannot be used for a full diagnosis.

A swab of the discharge of the urogenital organs can be performed quickly, but its reliability is determined by the qualifications of the laboratory assistant and the correctness of taking a biological sample.

Enzyme immunoassay, immune fluorescence reaction, serological method have a rather high sensitivity, however, the reliability of the results obtained depends on the type of pathogenic agent and the level of the laboratory. Some infections can be diagnosed using these methods very accurately, and for the detection of other sexual diseases, they have insufficient sensitivity and specificity.

The most accurate, sensitive and specific methods for detecting any sexual infection are bacteriological seeding on the medium and molecular genetic analyzes - ligase or polymerase chain reaction (LCR or PCR).

Provocative tests are carried out specifically to detect latent chronic sexual infection. In this case, chemicals or food intake cause short-term stimulation of the immune system, biological material is taken and the pathogen is determined by seeding on the medium or polymerase chain reaction.

Prevention principles

Given the ways of transmission of pathogens of sexual infections, the basic principles for the prevention of these diseases are as follows:

condom use (male and female);
the use of various local agents that destroy the pathogen after unprotected sexual contact;
regular testing for the presence of genital infections;
correct and effective treatment with subsequent control in case of sexual infection;
identification and treatment of sexual partners;
sexual rest during treatment;
informing the partner about existing sexual infections;
use of vaccines against hepatitis and human papillomavirus;
compliance with the rules of personal hygiene (the presence of a personal towel, sponge, soap, razor, etc.).

Drugs for the treatment of genital infections

Today, pharmacology can provide a wide range of drugs that are used to treat genital infections. The main groups of medicines effective in the treatment of genital infections:
1. Antibiotics :

systemic quinolones;
aminoglycosides;

2. Antiviral drugs:

vamciclovir;
alpizarin;
ointment Gossypol;
Megasyn;
Bonafton;
Alpizarin, etc.

3. Antifungal drugs:

Remember that when a sexual infection is detected in a man or woman, it is imperative to examine and, if necessary, treat the sexual partner.
Which doctor will help diagnose and treat a sexually transmitted infection?
If a person has a suspicion of contracting a sexual infection, you should immediately contact a specialist who will conduct a qualified diagnosis and prescribe the correct and effective treatment. So, when signs appear that presumably indicate infection with a sexually transmitted infection, you should contact the following specialists:
1. Gynecologist (for women).
2. Urologist (for men and women).
3. Venereologist (for men and women).
Sexual infections and the ability to reproduce
Any sexual infection affects the key organs for childbirth and conception, both men and women. Depending on the organ of the lesion, the state of immunity, the course of the infection and the individual characteristics of a man or woman, against the background of chronic disease pregnancy may occur. If a woman has a chronic sexual infection, then after the onset of pregnancy, her course will be unfavorable, the risk of deformities in the unborn child increases, the threat of miscarriage and premature birth, as well as other complications, develops. If a man suffers from a chronic sexual infection, but after sexual contact with a woman she becomes pregnant, then in this situation the partner receives a "fresh" infection with a high risk of intrauterine infection of the fetus, or miscarriage in the early stages.
A woman suffering from a sexually transmitted infection that has not been cured before or during pregnancy puts her baby and herself at risk during childbirth. In childbirth, a child can be infected when passing through the genital tract. Inflamed tissues of the birth canal are poorly extensible, which leads to ruptures in childbirth, and this contributes to the penetration of pathogenic pathogens into the blood, and the development of generalized inflammation with the threat of death or other complications. Sutures placed on inflammatory tissues do not heal well, fester, etc.
A man suffering from a chronic sexual infection can infect a pregnant partner, which is also unfavorable for the development of the unborn child and the course of childbirth.
A prolonged or massive course of a sexual infection in a man or woman often leads to infertility, due to chronic inflammation, which prevents the normal course of the fertilization process, and the subsequent introduction of the embryo into the uterine wall. It should be remembered that a sexual infection, both in men and women, can lead to infertility. In the vast majority of cases, to restore the ability to reproduce, it is enough to treat the existing genital infection, and drink a course of vitamins in combination with proper nutrition and general strengthening activities.
Legal liability for contracting sexually transmitted infections
In the Russian Federation, criminal liability has been established for intentionally infecting someone with venereal diseases. The method of infection in this case is not taken into account. Under the intentional infection of sexual infections understand two types of actions:
1. Active action.
2. Criminal inaction.
By active action, lawyers mean deliberate refusal to use condoms, drinking or eating together from the same dish, and so on. That is, active actions aimed at close contact, during which the causative agent of a sexual infection will be transmitted to a partner with a high degree of probability. Lawyers understand the silence and failure to warn a sexual partner about an existing sexual infection as criminal inaction.
Before use, you should consult with a specialist.

Pills for genital infections, which can be used both internally and vaginally, are today one of the main and most effective ways to combat sexually transmitted diseases. The choice of drugs is very extensive and depends on the type of disease and the type of its pathogen.

What are sexual infections?

Many people confuse the concepts of sexually transmitted diseases and STDs, but this is a mistake. The fact is that sexual infections include a number of diseases transmitted through sexual contact. In general, genital infections can be divided into four groups:

Genital tract infections develop under certain conditions, mainly against the background of a general weakening of the body and reduced immunity.

All of the above types of diseases are united by the fact that they are sexually transmitted and are fraught with the development of many complications that affect the genitourinary system and adversely affect reproductive function. One of the most serious complications of sexually transmitted infections is infertility.

The symptoms of these diseases are very diverse and largely depend on the type of pathogen. The main and most common features include the following:

Itching, burning and discomfort in the genital area.
Frequent urge to urinate, which may be false.
Vaginal discharge.
Menstrual disorders.
Difficulty in urination.
Inability to conceive.

It is worth emphasizing that most sexually transmitted diseases respond well to treatment, but only with timely access to a doctor, competent diagnosis and timely start of the therapeutic process.

Therefore, if at least a few of the above symptoms are detected, it is recommended to immediately contact a specialist and undergo the necessary examination.

Successful treatment of sexually transmitted infections begins with testing. After the diagnosis is made and a characteristic pathogen is identified, the doctor will determine which medications will be most effective and effective in a particular clinical case.

Types of drug therapy

Medicines against infectious lesions of the genital tract are very diverse. Medical therapy is divided into several types. Let's consider them in more detail.

To date, antibiotic therapy is considered the most effective way fight sexual infections. The choice of medicine is individual and is carried out by the attending physician based on the results of preliminary seeding of the infection, which allows to determine its sensitivity to certain antibiotics. In most cases, patients are prescribed drugs belonging to the following groups:

Fluoroquinolone.
Cephalosporin.
Penicillin.
Tetracycline.
Macrolide.
Aminoglycosides.
Nitroimidazole derivatives.

Contraindications to taking antibiotics are the following factors:

The patient is under 16 years of age.
Pathology of the liver.
A pronounced tendency to allergic reactions.
Renal pathologies.
Individual intolerance to some components of the drugs.
Pregnancy.
lactation period.
The presence of a sexual infection of a fungal or viral nature.

Drugs are prescribed to improve blood circulation in the pelvic organs. These medicines are auxiliary, they are prescribed to almost all patients. The most common representatives of this pharmaceutical group include:

Aescusan;
Trental;
Curantyl.

Antiviral agents are needed in order to be viral in nature. Mostly for these purposes, patients are prescribed medications such as Penciclovir, Valaciclovir, Famaciclovir, Acyclovir, Arbidol, Peramivir, Orvirem, interferon preparations, Cycloferon, Amiksin.

Contraindications to antiviral therapy are the following factors:

Pregnancy.
Breast-feeding.
Previous liver transplants.
The patient's age is up to 18 years.
Renal function disorders.
Individual intolerance.
Violations in the functioning of the digestive system.
Blood diseases.

Antifungal agents are used to treat sexually transmitted infections, the development of which is provoked by fungal pathogens. In this case, patients are prescribed Ketoconazole, Fluconazole, Irunin, Mikosist, Diflucan, Oronazole.

The following types of antifungal antibiotics are also used:

Nystatin.
Amphotericin B.
Pimafucin.
Levorin.
Natamycin.

The presented pharmacological group has the following contraindications:

Pregnancy.
lactation period.
Allergic reactions to allylamines.
Diseases of the endocrine system.
Renal failure.
Violation of hepatic functions.

In addition, patients are required to be prescribed immunostimulants that help the body fight pathogens and increase its resistance. These drugs are necessary for a successful treatment process, since in most cases, sexually transmitted infections develop precisely against the background of a decrease in immunity.

Possible side effects

With a long course drug treatment the manifestation of undesirable side effects. The most common of them are considered to be:

Nausea.
Attacks of vomiting.
Dizziness.
Pain in the lower abdomen.
Headache.
Stomach upset.
diarrhea.
The appearance of allergic rashes.
Dysbacteriosis.

In the event of the appearance of such painful symptoms, it is necessary to urgently seek advice from your doctor. The patient may need to adjust the dosage or change the drug.

Features of drug therapy

Both sexual partners should undergo treatment. During the treatment process, it is necessary to use contraceptives. The duration of the therapeutic course, the choice of drugs should be prescribed only by a specialist based on the diagnosis and taking into account the state of health, the individual characteristics of the patient.

In order for the treatment to give favorable results, it must be regular and systematic. You can not independently prescribe drugs, change the dosage or stop taking it, even if the external painful symptoms disappear.

The medicine must be taken at the same time to constantly maintain a certain concentration of the active substance in the blood.

With prolonged use of medications, especially antibiotics, do not forget to take probiotics and special yogurts to maintain normal intestinal microflora and prevent dysbacteriosis.

Treatment of genital infections with the help of medications is considered an effective and efficient way to solve this problem. However, in order to achieve favorable results and minimize the likelihood of developing unwanted side effects, the therapeutic course should be prescribed exclusively by a qualified specialist and take place under his full control.

Luba Lee is a Certified Family Paramedic from Tennessee. She holds a master's degree in nursing from the University of Tennessee in 2006.

Number of sources used in this article: . You will find a list of them at the bottom of the page.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be contracted through a variety of types of sexual contact. Many STIs have obvious symptoms that make it easy to identify the disease. Other STIs are more difficult to recognize and may have mild or delayed symptoms. In addition to discomfort, many STIs can lead to long-term health problems if left untreated. If you suspect you have an STI, see your doctor to check if this is the case.

Steps

Signs of a bacterial STI

Look for signs of unusual vaginal or penile discharge. Trichomoniasis, gonorrhea and chlamydia are accompanied by genital discharge. Although there are quite normal and healthy vaginal discharges, an unusual color or smell may indicate a bacterial STI. Discharge from the penis, with the exception of urination and ejaculation, is also a sign of a bacterial STI.

Pay attention to pain during intercourse or pain in the pelvic area. STIs such as chlamydia or trichomoniasis usually cause localized or generalized pain during intercourse. Pain caused by STIs can be discomfort in the pelvis or genitals, as well as pain when urinating.

In men, STIs are often accompanied by testicular pain, which is not necessarily associated with sexual intercourse or ejaculation.

Pay attention to difficult or painful urination. Urination may be accompanied by pain and fever in the pelvis in women or a burning sensation in men. Similar signs may indicate chlamydia and other STIs.

Look out for irregular vaginal bleeding. Irregular periods may indicate an STI. This is especially true for chlamydia and gonorrhea. In addition, with bacterial infections, there may be too much bleeding during menstruation.
- Keep in mind that chlamydia is difficult to diagnose because it causes mild symptoms in its early stages. As a rule, symptoms do not appear until three weeks after the moment of infection.
Pay attention to open sores in the genital area. Painful round sores can indicate herpes, they appear 2-3 weeks after infection. Painless open sores, called chancres, that develop in an infected area (usually the genitals) may be a sign of syphilis or a chancre. These sores usually appear 10 to 90 days after infection.
- Other symptoms of herpes include high fever, chills, general discomfort (a painful condition), and extremely difficult urination.
- If syphilis is left untreated, the symptoms of the infection worsen: larger, multiple sores appear, the patient experiences fatigue, vomiting, and a high fever, which is accompanied by a rash. There are 4 stages: primary, secondary, latent (hidden) and tertiary syphilis. The disease is relatively easy to treat in primary and secondary forms. If you find any signs of syphilis, see your doctor for tests and, if the diagnosis is confirmed, appropriate treatment.
- Symptoms of a chancre include fever, chills, and general discomfort. In addition, some patients experience discharge and difficulty urinating. Over time, ulcers can burst, their number increases.
Symptoms of a Viral STI
1. Check your genital area for small warts or sores. With many viral STIs, including genital herpes, small red bumps, blisters, warts, or even open sores can appear on and around the genitals. Usually, these warts and bumps cause itching and a burning sensation.
  - If you have recently had oral or anal sex that could have caused an oral or anal STI, check for warts and bumps on the lips, mouth, buttocks, and around the anus.
  - Herpes may not appear for a long time after the moment of infection. Subsequent outbreaks of herpes may be less painful than the first outbreak. An infected person may experience frequent outbreaks of herpes for decades.
  - Oral herpes can be contracted by contact with the genitals (or their area), and after an initial outbreak, this form of herpes usually becomes latent.
2. Note the fleshy bumps and blisters. Fleshy, raised bumps and warts in the genital area or mouth can be a sign of genital warts or human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV is a serious STI, but it can be difficult to identify. This infection can lead to the formation of gray swellings on the genitals, and they can coalesce and form areas similar to the surface of a cauliflower.
  - Although genital warts are not particularly serious STIs, they can cause discomfort and frequent itching.
  - Some strains of HPV can increase the risk of cervical cancer. If you suspect that you have HPV, check with your doctor or gynecologist: you may need to have more frequent tests and pelvic exams.
3. Note persistent fever, fatigue, and nausea. Although these signs are general symptoms, they may indicate two serious viral STIs: certain strains of hepatitis or early stages of HIV infection. In the early stages of HIV infection, lymph nodes may also swell and a skin rash may develop. Hepatitis affects the liver and often causes pain in the lower abdomen and dark urine.
  - Hepatitis strains and human immunodeficiency virus can be transmitted through sexual contact. In addition, both diseases can be transmitted through contact with contaminated blood (or other bodily fluids) or through the use of a shared intravenous needle.
Health care
1. Get tested for STDs. If you suspect that you have an STI, see your doctor as soon as possible so that he can prescribe the appropriate tests for you. Testing for STIs is simple and inexpensive and does not require special referrals or permits.

Sexual infections in men develop mainly as a result of unprotected sexual intercourse due to the penetration of viruses and bacteria into the body. With good immunity of the body, most of these diseases tend to have a latent course and they are detected during screening or already when it affects other organs, leads to inflammation of various localizations (for example, urethritis, prostatitis, vesiculitis, cystitis, orchitis, epididymitis, etc.) or, more sadly, premature ejaculation, decreased erectile function, up to impotence and, in some cases, infertility.

Common sexually transmitted infections in men

In total, there are several dozen genital infections, the most common of which are:

syphilis (pathogen - Treponema Palidum)
chlamydia (pathogen - Chlamydia trachomatis)
gonorrhea or gonorrhea (causative agent - Neisseria gonorrea)
genital herpes (causative agent - Herpes simplex virus type 1/2)
trichomoniasis (pathogen - Trichomonas vaginalis)
human papillomavirus (causative agent - HPV (HPV))
gardnerellosis (pathogen - Gardnerella vaginalis)
mycoplasmosis (pathogen - Mycoplasma genitalum / hominis)
Cytomegalovirus (pathogen - Cytomegalovirus) and others.

All these diseases pose a serious threat not only to the male body, but also to the body of his partner. Against the background of a long-term inflammatory process, healthy organ cells are damaged from which new, but already atypical cells grow, which is the beginning of a cancerous disease.

Transmission routes

The main way of transmission of sexually transmitted diseases is any kind of sexual contact. The more often a man changes sexual partners, the higher the risk of infection. In this case, you can become infected with several infections at once. Sometimes diseases of the genital area can also be obtained through household contact with an infected person. So, even children who, for example, sleep in the same bed with infected parents can become infected. Infection also occurs when using common hygiene products.

Infection of the genital organs is possible when visiting public pools, saunas and baths. As a rule, in this case, men with a weakened immune system and the elderly are most at risk.

General symptoms

As already mentioned, many of the sexual infections are not characterized by any pronounced clinical manifestations until the damage to the body becomes very significant. As a rule, a man who has contracted a sexually transmitted disease may notice the following symptoms:

slight discomfort or occasional discomfort in the groin
discomfort in the pubic area or in the lower abdomen
discomfort or discomfort in the perineum
cramps and pain when urinating
false or frequent urges to urinate
need to urinate at night
itching in the genital area
the appearance of rashes or redness of the glans penis and foreskin
discharge from the urethra
discomfort or pain during intercourse
premature ejaculation
decreased sexual function
the appearance of education in the skin of the genital organs

One of the most typical symptoms of all latent infections - pain, discomfort, redness or discharge at the beginning can and will go away on its own without any help thanks to the immune system. But if they reappear and last more than 5 days, this is already a call for help from the body.

If several sexually transmitted infections develop simultaneously in the body, or re-infections (due to repeated infection with frequent sexual contacts and a large number of sexual partners) and there is no adequate comprehensive treatment, the disease often becomes chronic.

It is important to remember that there is no immunity to STIs and each of us can get infected. And if there has already been unprotected contact and there are any doubts or suspicions, then we recommend contacting a doctor.

Sexual infections in men and problems with conception

As mentioned above, sexual infections can lead to problems conceiving a child or infertility. The thing is that the pathogenic microorganisms present in the body of a man, first of all, have a negative impact on the quality of sperm, causing impaired sperm motility. In addition, the morphological properties of spermatozoa also change in a negative way.

Some genital infections with a long course can lead to impaired patency of the vas deferens, which also prevents normal conception. Infertility can also develop as a result of complications of sexual diseases, such as orchiepidimitis, prostatitis, the presence of leukocytes in semen, etc.

We must not forget that, being infected, a man can infect his partner. Pelvic inflammatory disease is just as dangerous for women as it is for men, causing serious complications and infertility.

Diagnosis and treatment in our clinic

Experienced specialists of our clinic will draw up a competent examination plan to detect sexually transmitted infections, as well as prescribe the necessary treatment.

To clarify the diagnosis, we use effective methods laboratory diagnostics:

PCR diagnostics
DNA diagnostics
linked immunosorbent assay
bacterial culture.

The treatment is complex and is selected individually, taking into account the patient's condition, the results of the obtained laboratory tests and ultrasound data, as well as the patient's lifestyle.

If a man has complications in the form of vesiculitis or prostatitis, in addition to antibiotic therapy, after eliminating the inflammatory process, the doctor may prescribe a course of prostate massage. Two months after the completion of the course of treatment, it is necessary to undergo a second examination to make sure that the disease has disappeared.

It is worth remembering that you yourself can significantly reduce the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections by carefully observing intimate hygiene, avoiding casual sex and practicing safe sex. If infection does occur, do not self-medicate or ignore the symptoms. It is better to immediately consult a urologist.