What are the 10 most common STDs?
In this article we will describe the 10 most common STDs.
1. Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD). It is caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis.
Symptoms:
Chlamydia is mostly asymptomatic with studies suggesting 10% of men and 5-30% women developing symptoms.
Women:
- Pain when urinating
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Abdominal/pelvic pain
- Extra sensitivity during sex
- Bleeding after sex
- Bleeding between periods
In pregnancy untreated chlamydia can lead to pre-term delivery as well as eye and lung infections in the newborn.
Complications: If chlamydia is left untreated, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can cause ectopic pregnancy and infertility in women.
Men:
- Pain when urinating
- White, cloudy or watery discharge from the tip of the penis
- Rurning or itching in the urethra
- Testicular pain
Complications: Left untreated, the infection can cause swelling in the epididymis (the tubes that carry sperm) and the testicles. This might affect fertility.
Treatment:
Tablets antibiotics will be prescribed to treat the infection. You should avoid sex until the infection is gone.
2. Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is spread through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex, or sharing sex toys.
Symptoms:
Include a thick green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis, pain when urinating or lower abdominal/vaginal pain and discomfort. Around 1 in 10 men and more than half of women do not experience any symptoms.
Treatment:
Antibiotics will be given to clear the infection. The most effective antibiotic is given via an injection into the buttock however in some cases tablets can be given. Due to increasing levels of resistance, guidelines recommended a repeat test several weeks after treatment.
3. Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis.
Symptoms:
Usually develop within a month of infection – similar to those of many other STDs, which can make it difficult to diagnose.
Women:
- Itching, burning, redness or soreness of the genitals
- Stinging when urinating
- Clear, white, yellowish, or greenish vaginal discharge with a fishy smell
Men:
- Itching or irritation inside the penis
- Burning after peeing or ejaculating
- Discharge from the penis
Complications: Without treatment, trichomoniasis can lead to prolonged genital inflammation which increases the risk of other sexually transmitted infections such as HIV.
Treatment
Effectively treated with antibiotics (usually metronidazole).
4. Genital warts
Caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), a type of virus that infects the skin. There are over 150 strains of HPV.
Symptoms
Include one or more lumps, bumps or fleshy, cauliflower-like growths around the genitals or anus. There might also be discomfort, itching or bleeding, and changes to the flow of urine.
Treatment
There is no treatment for HPV virus itself and infection is mainly self-limiting. Genital wart treatment including the application of a prescription cream or liquid, or minor surgery where warts are cut, burnt, lasered or frozen off.
Complications: Around 13 strains of HPV have been linked to cervical cancer as well as cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis, or anus.
Vaccination:
- All preteens (including boys and girls) at age 11 or 12 years (or can start at age 9 years).
- Everyone through age 26 years, if not vaccinated already
- Some people 27 and above may want to consider a HPV vaccination however it is not recommended for everyone as this age group is more likely to have been exposed to HPV.
5. Genital herpes
Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex viruses, HSV-1 and HSV-2. People can pass on the herpes virus when they’re not showing any symptoms.
Symptoms:
- Small, fluid-filled blisters (on the genitals or anus) leaving open sores
- severe tingling and itching
- Burning when urinating
- Women might have a vaginal discharge
Treatment:
There is no cure for herpes and it can lie dormant in the body for months or years. Recurrent outbreaks are usually milder. You might be prescribed antiviral medicine to stop symptoms worsening. Local anaesthetic ointment and soothing creams might also be prescribed to help alleviate itching and pain. Taking a cool shower or bath might also help.
6. Pubic lice “crabs”
Pubic lice are tiny insects that live on pubic hair around the penis or vagina. They are spread through close body contact. Public lice are also referred to as ‘crabs’.
Symptoms:
- Direct visualisation of mites
- Itching that is usually worse at night
- Small red or blue spots on your skin (lice bites)
- White/yellow dots attached to your hair (lice eggs)
- Dark red or brown spots in your underwear (lice faeces)
- Crusted or sticky eyelashes (eye lash involvement)
Treatment:
Medicated creams or shampoos will be prescribed to kill the lice. You may need to repeat this again a week later to make sure all the lice have been killed. Any current or recent sexual partners should also be treated, even if they have no symptoms.
7. Scabies
Scabies is a common STD that can affect anyone worldwide. It is causes by an infestation of the skin by a mite called Sarcoptes scabei.
Symptoms:
It can takes 2-6 weeks for symptoms to appear after being infested with scabies. If a person has had scabies before, symptoms appear 1-4 days after exposure.
- Intense itching especially at night
- Raised rash or spots (pimple-like)
- These may look red and are more difficult to see on dark skin (but you can feel them). Common rash distribution:
- Between the fingers
- Wrist
- Elbow crease
- Armpit
- Genitals
- Nipple
- Waist
- Buttocks
- Shoulder blades
Treatment
A doctor or pharmacist will recommend a cream or lotion to apply over your whole body. You’ll need to repeat the treatment a week later. Everyone in your home needs to be treated at the same time, even if they do not have symptoms. Clothing, bedding and towels should be laundered on high heat. Any sexual partners within the past 8 weeks should also be treated.
8. Syphilis
Syphilis is an infectious disease caused by Treponema pallidum, a type of bacterium. It’s most commonly spread during sexual activity (vaginal, anal or oral) or through close contact with an infected sore. It can be passed on from mother to baby (congenital syphilis) with an increased risk of miscarriage, foetal death and premature birth.
Symptoms:
- Primary stage: small, painless sore or ulcer on the vagina, penis, anus, mouth or other area (21 days after incubation). This is known as a chancre. It usually resolves spontaneously after 1-2 months. Without treatment syphilis will progress to secondary syphilis
- Secondary stage: symptoms spontaneously resolve without treatment however disease is likely to progress to tertiary syphilis
- Skin rashes or sores in the mouth, vagina or anus
- Condylomata lata are large, raised, gray or white lesions. They may develop in warm, moist areas e.g. mouth, underarm or groin region
- fevers
- swollen lymph nodes
- sore throat
- patchy hair loss
- headaches
- weight loss
- muscle aches
- fatigue
- Tertiary syphilis: chronic syphilis infection can affect multiple organs including the brain and nervous system, the heart and large blood vessels, liver, eyes and joints.
Treatment
Antibiotic injections. Treatment course will depend on the stage of disease.
9. HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) affects the cells in your immune system and their ability to fight everyday infections and disease. HIV infection is found in body fluids and is most commonly transmitted through sexual contact. It can also be passed on by sharing needles (among drug addicts) and can be passed on from mother to baby.
Symptoms
Most people experience a short flu-like illness around 2-6 weeks after initial infection. HIV might not cause any symptoms for many years. AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) describes the potentially life-threatening infections and illnesses that might occur when your immune system is severely damaged by the HIV virus.
Treatment
There’s no cure for HIV but there are now effective drug treatments to manage it. These include antiretroviral medicines that work by stopping the virus from replicating itself in the body, allowing the immune system to repair itself. This means people with HIV can usually lead long lives if they take medication.
10. Viral Hepatitis
Hepatitis B and C are viruses that are sexually transmitted or transmitted through blood e.g. occupational exposure or from mother-to-child.
Hepatitis A is a virus that can be sexually transmitted from anal penetration during sexual intercourse.
Symptoms:
They mainly infect cells in the liver leading to abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin alongside generalised viral symptoms such as fevers, fatigue and headaches.
Treatment:
Treatment is dependent of the type of virus.
- Hepatitis A- no specific antiviral treatment exists, usually supportive care
- Hepatitis B- acute infection is usually just supportive treatment. Those who go on to develop chronic infections can be treated with antiviral medications and are regularly monitored by specialist liver teams for liver damage and the development of liver cancer.
- Hepatitis C- treatment with antiviral medications at time of diagnosis to prevent progression to irreversible liver damage. Treatment duration is usually 8-12 weeks.
Vaccinations are available on the NHS for Hepatitis B as part of the national vaccination schedule. Hepatitis A vaccinations are available for children <18 years and for at risk groups e.g. international travellers, the homeless population and men who have sex with men.
Summary
We have described the 10 most common STDs. We hope it has been useful.
Last Reviewed on 26 March 2024