What is a sexually transmitted disease (STD)?

An STD is an illness that is spread through sexual contact.

How can sexually transmitted diseases be avoided?

1. The less sexual partners a person has, the lower the risk of infection from a STD.
   
   
2. Most sexually transmitted diseases can be avoided to a large extent by practicing safe sex and by using a condom.
   
   
3. Most sexually transmitted diseases can be cured if they are diagnosed and treated in their early stages.
   

The most common diseases and their symptoms are described below.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most common and is the fastest spreading sexually transmitted disease in the United Kingdom. Chlamydia stems from a bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis. Women need to understand that if they are diagnosed with Chlamydia it can also infect their newborn infant during delivery. So if you have had sex during pregnancy with someone you might suspect having Chlamydia have the test to avoid this problem.

Symptoms usually appear approximately 7 to 21 days after infection and differ between men, women and children.

Symptoms of Chlamydia in men:

1. inflammation of the urethra (the bladder duct within the penis).
   
   
2. a stinging feeling when passing water.
   
   
3. clear discharge from penis and possible itchiness around the opening.
   
   
4. pain or tenderness in the testicles.
   

If you have any of the above symptoms go to your nearest hospital and STD centre as soon as possible - no matter how embarrasing that might be for you. But more importantly DO NOT have sex until you have sorted the problem out!

1. stinging feeling when passing water.
   
   
2. unusual vaginal discharge.
   
   
3. pain caused by pelvic inflammation.
   
   
4. pain during intercourse.
   
   
5. in some cases, bleeding between periods.
   

If you have any of the above symptoms go to your nearest hospital and STD centre as soon as possible - no matter how embarrasing that might be for you. But more importantly DO NOT have sex until you have sorted the problem out!

Symptoms in infants:

1. inflammation of the eye (conjunctivitis) at birth.
   
   
2. breathing problems.
   
   
3. a premature birth, which in itself causes untold problems.
   
   
4. in rarer instances it can cause pneumonia.
   
   

One of the most common ways of testing for Chlamydia is for the doctor to collect a cell sample from the infected area (cervix or penis) with a cotton swab.

The swab is then sent to a laboratory for evaluation and In the absence of a firm diagnosis, you may be referred to a specialist genitourinary clinic for further testing.

Treatment of Chlamydia:

To treat Chlamydia you need antibiotics, and should also be given to the patient's partner. A further swab is recommended once treatment has ended to check whether the infection has cleared.