Wise up. Disease and infections are very real and just not worth taking risks over. Let's face it, sex is something that should give us pleasure, closeness and joy. But, if it causes anxiety and fear, there's just no point to it.

Beyond practicing safe sex, you need to be aware of the risks that lie ahead, and what to do to reduce that. So, what are the most common sexually transmitted infections? What are their symptoms? How might you prevent them? Here goes...

Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial Vaginosis reflects a change in the vaginal environment. An imbalance, including pH changes, occurs in the vagina when different types of bacteria outnumber the normal and healthy bacteria. BV is not always sexually transmitted, however, women who are sexually active run a high risk of developing the condition, as do those with multiple partners or who have changed partners recently.

Symptoms
The main symptom of BV is a heavy, creamy greyish-white, odorous vaginal discharge. The fish-like odour is noticeable especially after intercourse or exercise. Nearly half of the women with clinical signs of BV, however, report no symptoms.

Is it treatable?
Yes. Women can be treated with antibiotics.

Is it curable?
Yes, but it can recur.

Chlamydia
Chlamydia ("cla-mid-ee-ah") is so common in young women that, by age 30, 50% of sexually active women have evidence that they have had chlamydia at some time during their lives. This is a bacterial infection, which infects the cervix and can spread to the urethra, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. It can cause chronic bladder infections and pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and permanent infertility. In men, chlamydia infects the urethra and can spread to the testicles, which can cause male infertility. According to Planned Parenthood, chlamydia can also lead to Reiter's syndrome, especially in young men, which involves eye infections, urethritis, and arthritis. One in three men who develop Reiter's syndrome become permanently disabled.

Symptoms
In most cases, chlamydia shows no symptoms. In others, there is

• pain or burning while urinating
• vaginal bleeding
• painful intercourse for women
• spotting between periods or after or during intercourse
• stomach or abdominal pain or nausea
• fevers
• swelling or pain of the rectum or cervix, or in men, of the testicles
• fertility problems

Is it treatable?
Yes, with antibiotics.

Is it curable?
Yes.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
This is a member of a group of herpes-type viruses. It is transmitted through body fluids, sexually and nonsexually, and from mother to infant during birth. CMV is also incredibly dangerous for people who have the AIDS virus.

What are its symptoms?
The initial infection produces no noticeable symptoms. Reinfection may cause swollen glands, loss of appetite, fatigue, fever, night sweats, general weakness, a persistent cough or difficulty in breathing, pneumonia and an increased transmission rate of other STIs and diseases.

Is it treatable?
Symptoms may be managed with antiviral medications, but treatment is not generally successful during a pregnancy.

Is it curable?
Like many viruses, CMV can remain in the body for life, and there is presently no cure.

Gonorrhea
Gonorrhoea ("gone-or-ee-ah"), also known as "the clap," is a bacterial infection. It is a very common infectious disease. Gonorrhoea grows in warm, moist areas like the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes of females. The bacteria can also grow in the mouth, throat, anus and the urethra of males and females. Gonorrhoea is usually passed during oral, vaginal, or anal sexual contact, even if there is no penetration. Gonorrhoea can also be passed from an infected woman to her baby during childbirth.

Symptoms
If a person has symptoms, they usually appear in the first week after exposure to gonorrhoea, but it may take as long as a month to get symptoms. Many people do not get any symptoms at all. Women may have a painful or burning feeling when they urinate, a yellow vaginal discharge, or a bloody vaginal discharge. Most males who are infected with gonorrhoea will have signs like a burning sensation when they urinate, a yellow discharge from the penis, or painful and swollen testicles. If males or females get a gonorrhoeal infection in their rectum, they may have discharge, anal itching, soreness, bleeding, or pain.

Is it treatable?
Yes. Your doctor can give you one of many antibiotics to treat gonorrhoea.

Is it curable?
Yes, but you can get it again. If you are treated, all your sex partners should also be treated to make sure you are not re-infected from them. Women who have gonorrhoea might also get Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which increases their chances of having a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
HIV is a virus that destroys the immune system and thus weakens the body's ability to fight even the most common disease and infections. HIV usually progresses to AIDS. This makes HIV the most dangerous sexually transmitted infection today.

What are its symptoms?
Initial or acute infection may have symptoms that resemble mononucleosis or the flu within 2 to 4 weeks of exposure, but in many people, HIV infection does not show any symptoms for extended periods of time, even as long as 20 years.

• sore throat
• mouth sores
• aching or stuiff muscles or joints
• headaches
• diarrhea
• swollen glands
• fevers
• fatigue or tiredness
• rashes or excema
• yeast infections
• rapid weight loss,
• thrush"
• chronic PID

Is it treatable?
Yes, through an intensive combination of antiviral drugs and consistent health care. HIV treatment acts to try and protect the immune system from further infection, and to delay the progression to AIDS.

Is it curable?
There is no cure for HIV.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV, Warts)
There are more than 30 different known strains of HPV that are genital, many of which are potentially cancerous. HPV is often called genital warts, because when it is externally symptomatic, it appears as tiny cauliflower-like warts on the genitals. However, in most cases, HPV shows no external symptoms, though it is still present and highly contagious, and unfortunately, condoms do not offer complete protection against HPV.

Symptoms?
Small, cauliflower-like warts on the vulva, vagina, anus, penis, inside the urethra, or in the throat.

Is it treatable?
Warts can be removed by various methods, all of which are relatively painless, and are usually done in your gynaecologist's office, not in a hospital.

Is it curable?
No. Even when the warts are removed, the virus is still present in the body, and can be transmitted to partners when no warts are present, and cause long-term health problems like cervical cancer. Some people may, however, shed the virus over time.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
"Pelvic inflammatory disease" is any serious bacterial infection of the reproductive organs that are housed in the pelvis: the uterus, uterine lining, fallopian tubes, and/or ovaries. These infections usually start in the vagina and, when left untreated, can progressively infect other reproductive organs. 20% of PID cases are found in teens, who often are afraid or unable to get reproductive health care. PID can result in permanent infertility and chronic pain.

Symptoms?

• painful periods that may last longer than previous cycles
• unusual vaginal discharge
• spotting or cramping between periods
• pain or cramps during urination, or blood in the urine
• lower back or abdominal pain
• fever
• nausea or vomiting
• pain during vaginal intercourse.

Is it treatable?
In some cases, antibiotics, bed rest, and sexual celibacy are prescribed. In other cases, surgery may be required, including the possible removal of some reproductive organs.

Is it curable?
In some cases, but it can recur after treatment if the person is reinfected.

Pubic Lice
Pubic lice are also called "crabs", and are caused by very tiny insects that live in the pubic hair and feed on human blood. Pubic lice are not the same as body lice.

Symptoms?
The primary symptom is itching in the pubic area. The itching is caused by an allergic reaction to the lice bites and usually starts within 5 days after infection. Some people get blue spots where they are bitten. Scratching may spread the lice to other parts of the body with coarse body hair, such as hair on the legs, armpit, mustache, beard, eyebrows, and eyelashes.

Is it treatable?
Yes. There are lotions and shampoos that will kill pubic lice. You can get these from a doctor. All dirty cloths, bed linen and towels must be disinfected.

Is it curable?
Yes, but you can get infected again. If you are infected make sure all of your partners are treated at the same time when you are treated.

Syphilis
Syphilis is a bacterial infection passed during oral, vaginal, or anal sexual contact.

What are its symptoms?
Syphilis has been called "the great imitator" because many of its signs look like other diseases. It is also difficult to know if someone has syphilis because a person might not have any symptoms at all. Syphilis has four stages:

Primary. The first symptom of syphilis is a chancre or ulcer that forms where the person was exposed. Many people don't notice chancres if they are painless and hidden in the mouth, anus, or vagina. Chancres usually appear one to six weeks after exposure and will disappear in a few weeks on their own, but the person still has the bacteria. A person can pass the disease to other people during this stage.

Secondary. The symptom of secondary syphilis is a skin rash on any part of the body. The person might also have a mild fever, hair loss, or get headaches and sore throats. The symptoms usually go away in a few months, but might come and go for up to two years, and the person will still carry the bacteria.

Latent. This stage can last for a long time. The person cannot pass the disease to another person during this stage, but they still have the bacteria in their body.

Tertiary/Late. In this stage where a person has been infected for a long time, the bacteria can damage their heart, eyes, liver, brain, bones, and joints. People may become mentally ill, blind, get heart disease, or die.

Is it treatable?
Yes. With penicillin and other antibiotics.

Is it curable?
Yes, but you can get syphilis again if you are re-exposed, so all sexual partners should also be treated.

Trichomoniasis
This is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases, affecting 16 to 35 year old women. Trichomonas is usually sexually transmitted when there is penis-vulva or vulva-vulva contact.

Symptoms
Women may have a bad smelling discharge from the vagina that is yellow or green and may look frothy. This is usually accompanied by vaginal itching and redness, pain during intercourse and urination, or a frequent urge to urinate.

Men are less likely to have symptoms than women. If they have symptoms, they may have pain during urination and ejaculation, discharge from the urethra, or a frequent urge to urinate.

Is it treatable?
Yes. A doctor will prescribe antibiotics.

Is it curable?
Yes, but you can get it again.

The truth of the matter is that if you're sexually active, you have about a 70% chance of transmitting or contracting a disease or infection. Now, if you want to prevent that from happening, there are two things you can do - become aware, or quit sex! Having only one partner can only lower the risk, not eliminate it. So, be smart and practice safe sex. As the Nike ad says: Just do it!

Getting tested is important
Is it important that you get tested before beginning any sexual contact with others? The answer is yes, yes, and yes. Sexually transmitted infections can affect you for the rest of your life. Several of them cannot be cured. Getting tested is important.

What happens? Testing for sexually transmitted infections includes a few simple tests that can be done in your doctor's office or at a clinic. The doctor will ask you some questions about your sexual activities and sexual history. Do not be embarrassed - believe me, doctors have heard and seen it all! It is very important that you be honest with your doctor to get a proper diagnosis.

This is followed by a visual examination of your genitals. Women go through a pelvic exam and the doctor will take a small sample of cells and fluids. For men, a swab will be taken from inside of the urethra. The doctor may also ask for sample of cells from your throat and/or rectum. You may also be asked for a saliva sample, urine sample, blood sample, or any combination of these.

Also Check out: AIDS - a Reality