Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) include diseases predominantly transmitted through sexual contact from an infected partner. Other modes of transmission include blood transfusion, needle inoculation, and perinatal transmission.
Common Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
1.
Syphilis
o Causative Agent:
Treponema pallidum
o Incubation Period:
9–90 days
o Stages:
Primary Syphilis:
Chancre (painless ulcer) on labia,
vagina, cervix, or mouth
Enlarged inguinal lymph nodes (painless, firm)
Secondary Syphilis:
Maculopapular rash,
mucosal ulcers
Generalized lymphadenopathy
Condylomata lata
(moist, wart-like lesions)
Tertiary Syphilis:
Gumma formation
Cardiovascular involvement
Neurosyphilis (paralysis, tabes dorsalis)
o Diagnosis:
Serological Tests:
VDRL, TPHA, ELISA, PCR
o Treatment:
Benzathine Penicillin G 2.4 million units IM single dose
2.
Gonorrhea
o Causative Agent:
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
o Incubation Period:
3–7 days
o Symptoms:
Urethritis, cervicitis (purulent vaginal discharge)
Dysuria, frequency of micturition
Lower abdominal pain
Rectal discomfort (if rectal infection)
o Complications:
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Infertility
o Diagnosis:
Gram stain,
culture, nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT)
o Treatment:
Ceftriaxone 250 mg IM single dose + Azithromycin 1g PO single dose
3.
Chlamydial
Infection
o Causative Agent:
Chlamydia trachomatis
o Symptoms:
Mucopurulent vaginal discharge
Dysuria
Postcoital bleeding
o Complications:
Ectopic pregnancy
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
o Diagnosis:
NAAT, culture
o Treatment:
Azithromycin 1g PO single dose or Doxycycline 100 mg PO BID for 7 days
4.
Trichomoniasis
o Causative Agent:
Trichomonas vaginalis
o Symptoms:
Frothy, greenish-yellow vaginal discharge
Vulvar itching, dysuria
Strawberry cervix (colpitis macularis)
o Diagnosis:
Wet mount examination, NAAT
o Treatment:
Metronidazole 2g PO single dose
5. Genital Herpes (Herpes Simplex Virus - HSV)
o Causative Agent:
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2)
o Symptoms:
Painful vesicular lesions on the genitalia
Dysuria, fever, malaise
o Diagnosis:
Tzanck smear,
PCR, serology
o Treatment:
Acyclovir 400 mg PO TID for 7–10 days
6. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection (Genital Warts)
o Causative Agent:
Human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11
o Symptoms:
Painless cauliflower-like warts on genitalia
o Complications:
Cervical cancer (HPV types 16, 18)
o Diagnosis:
Colposcopy, HPV DNA testing
o Treatment:
Podophyllin, cryotherapy, electrocautery
7. HIV/AIDS
o
Causative Agent: Human Immunodeficiency Virus
(HIV)
o
Symptoms:
Fever, weight loss, opportunistic infections
Recurrent vaginal infections
o
Diagnosis:
ELISA, Western Blot, PCR
o
Treatment:
Antiretroviral therapy (ART)
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
(PID)
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Infertility
- Cervical cancer (HPV-related)
- Neonatal infections (Congenital syphilis, neonatal
conjunctivitis)
- Safe sexual practices
(condom use)
- Routine screening of
high-risk individuals
- Treatment of sexual partners
to prevent reinfection
- Health education and
awareness
1.
Painful urination and burning
sensation
2.
Genital ulcers or sores
(syphilis, herpes, chancroid)
3.
Abnormal vaginal or penile
discharge (gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis)
4.
Pelvic pain and lower abdominal
discomfort
5.
Swollen lymph nodes in the groin
Indications:
- Syphilis (Primary and
Secondary Stages):
Deep ulcers with offensive discharge.
- Gonorrhea: Yellow-green purulent discharge with
painful urination.
Keynote Symptoms:
- Ulcers with sharp-cut edges and
foul-smelling discharge.
- Excessive salivation and metallic
taste in the mouth.
- Nightly bone pains, worse at night.
- Swollen, painful lymph nodes.
- Worse from both heat and cold.
Indications:
- Genital Warts (HPV Infection): Large, cauliflower-like warts.
- Chronic Gonorrhea: Yellowish-green discharge with
weakness.
Keynote Symptoms:
- Warts that are moist, oozing, and
sensitive to touch.
- Urinary complaints with split or
forked stream.
- Ill-effects of suppressed gonorrhea.
- Sweat has a strong, offensive odor.
- Worse from damp, cold weather.
Indications:
- Chronic Gonorrhea: Thick, acrid, offensive discharge.
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
(PID): Chronic
pelvic pain and burning urination.
Keynote Symptoms:
- Offensive, fishy-smelling discharge.
- Severe burning sensation after
urination.
- History of early sexual activity and
excess desire.
- Worse at night and better at the
seashore.
- Increased energy at night but
exhausted in the morning.
4. Nitric Acid
Indications:
- Genital Ulcers (Chancroid,
Syphilis):
Painful ulcers with offensive discharge.
- Warts and Condylomata: Large, fissured growths in the
genital region.
Keynote Symptoms:
- Ulcers with splinter-like pain.
- Warts that bleed on touch.
- Excessive foul-smelling sweat.
- Irritable and anxious personality.
- Worse from cold air and touch.
5. Kali Bichromicum
Indications:
- Gonorrhea with Thick,
Stringy Discharge:
Mucopurulent and adherent discharge.
- Chronic Syphilis: Ulcerative lesions with thick crusts.
Keynote Symptoms:
- Ulcers with punched-out appearance.
- Discharge is thick, ropy, and sticky.
- Deep bone pains in late-stage
syphilis.
- Worse in cold weather and damp places.
- Migratory joint pains.
