Sexually transmitted diseases or STDs are infections that pass between people through sexual contact. The majority of these infections are caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
While some STDs are easily noticeable because of their symptoms, such as genital warts or itching, others can be difficult to identify because they don’t display any apparent symptoms. Here are the top 3 STDs that are “sneaky” and can easily go unnoticed:.
1. Chlamydia
Chlamydia is one of the most common bacterial STDs. It infects both men and women of all ages, but is most prevalent among sexually active teenagers and young adults.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are more than 1.7 million cases of chlamydia reported in the United States each year. The problem with chlamydia is that it often has no symptoms, so people may not even realize that they are infected.
If symptoms of chlamydia do appear, they usually occur within 1 to 3 weeks after exposure and may include:.
- Painful urination
- Abnormal discharge from the genitals
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Abdominal pain and bleeding between periods (in women)
It is important to get tested regularly for chlamydia, especially if you are sexually active with multiple partners.
If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to serious health problems, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, and ectopic pregnancy. The good news is that chlamydia can be easily treated with antibiotics, but it is essential to catch and treat it early.
2. HPV
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common viral STD, affecting both men and women. It is estimated that 14 million new cases of HPV occur every year in the United States alone.
There are over 100 different types of HPV, and while some cause visible genital warts, others do not produce any symptoms at all.
Most people who have HPV do not realize they are infected because it often has no visible symptoms. However, the virus can cause serious health problems such as cervical cancer, anal cancer, and throat cancer.
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The good news is that there is a safe and effective vaccine available to prevent some types of HPV.
If you are sexually active, it is important to get tested for HPV regularly. Women should have a regular Pap smear to screen for abnormal cells in the cervix, which can be caused by HPV.
Men can get tested for HPV through a DNA test of a tissue sample from their penis or anus. There is no cure for HPV, but early detection and treatment of abnormal cells can prevent the development of cancer.
3. Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a bacterial STD that can infect both men and women. Like chlamydia, gonorrhea often has no symptoms, so it can go unnoticed and undiagnosed for a long time.
According to the CDC, there are over 500,000 new cases of gonorrhea every year in the United States.
If symptoms of gonorrhea do appear, they usually occur within 2 to 10 days after exposure and may include:.
- Painful urination
- Abnormal discharge from the genitals
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Abdominal pain and bleeding between periods (in women)
If left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to serious health problems, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, and ectopic pregnancy. The good news is that gonorrhea can be easily treated with antibiotics.
To prevent STDs, it is important to practice safe sex. This means using condoms consistently and correctly, limiting your number of sexual partners, and getting tested regularly for STDs.
If you think you may have an STD, do not hesitate to get tested and treated. STDs are highly treatable, especially if caught early.
