Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.
Cause no symptoms in about 80% of women and 50% of men
When symptoms are present, commonly there is discharge from the vagina or
the penis, and burning or pain during urination.
Is transmitted through vaginal, oral, or anal sexual contact
Ectopic pregnancy and infertility for women are potential serious
complications.
Is treatable with antibiotics
Gonorrhea symptoms
Discharge from the vagina or the penis
Over 50% of infected women have no symptoms, but they can still transmit
the disease to others.
Painful urination
Ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility for
women, Fitzhugh-Curtis syndrome (perihepatitis) and death are potential serious
complications.
Is treatable with antibiotics
Granuloma inguinale (donovanosis) symptoms
Not common in the U.S.
Symptoms are painless genital ulcers in the groin area.
Is treatable with antibiotics, usually for three or more weeks
Lymphogranuloma venereum
Not common in the U. S.
Symptoms are abscesses (buboes) in the groin, rectum or other areas; fistulas
that drain pus may occur and are treatable with antibiotics.
Syphilis
Symptoms are mild and often go undetected initially
Starts with a painless genital ulcer that goes away on its own
More serious complications associated with later stages of the disease if
undetected and untreated
Symptoms of STDs caused by viruses
Genital herpes
Recurring outbreaks of blister-like sores on the genitals
Can be transmitted from a mother to her baby during birth
Reduction in frequency and severity of blister outbreaks with treatment but
not complete elimination of infection.
Can be transmitted by a partner who has herpes even if no blisters are
present.
Genital warts
Caused by a virus related to skin warts, human papillomavirus (HPV)
Small, painless bumps in the genital or anal areas (sometimes in large
clusters that look like cauliflower)
Various treatments available (for example, freezing or painting the warts
with medication)
Vaccines are available against the most common types of HPV
Hepatitis
Hepatitis B and D are most often associated with sexual contact,
hepatitis A,
C, E are less frequently transmitted by sexual contact.
Both may be transmitted via contact with blood; for hepatitis B, sexual
transmission is believed to be responsible for 30% of the cases worldwide.
The hepatitis B virus can cause both an initial (acute) and a chronic form of
liver inflammation. Only 50% of acute infections with the hepatitis B virus
produce symptoms. The initial phase of infection lasts a few weeks, and in most
people (90%-95%), the infection clears.
Treated with antibacterial/antiprotozoal medicines
Symptoms of STDs* caused by fungi
Jock itch (genital itching or Tenia cruris)* (not always an STD)
Itchy groin skin, sometimes has a reddish color
Is treated with topical antifungal medicines
Yeast infection (Candidiasis)* (not always an STD)
Cheese-like vaginal discharge or whitish exudates sometimes with a reddish
hue to the skin; it may occur around the foreskin of infected males; common
symptoms are itching and burning sensation of the vagina or penis.
Is treated with topical antifungal medicines in most cases
Symptoms of STDs caused by parasites
Pubic lice
Very tiny bugs that are found in pubic hair, sometimes referred to as
"crabs"
Can be picked up from clothing or bedding
First noticed as itching in the pubic area
Are treatable with creams, anti-lice agents, and combing
Scabies
Skin infestation caused by a tiny mite
Highly contagious
Intense itching is the primary symptom, which worsens at night
Spread primarily by sexual contact or from contact with skin, infested
sheets, towels, or furniture
