What is an STD?
An STD is a sexually transmitted infection acquired by physical contact. It may pass from person to person by blood, semen, or other bodily fluids. In some cases, STDs can be transmitted without sexual intercourse, such as when a child contracts an STD through their mother during pregnancy. Common STDs include:
- Genital herpes
- Genital warts
- HIV/AIDS
- Hepatitis B
- Chlamydia
If you are sexually active, it’s important to get screened for sexually transmitted diseases regularly. The earlier they are detected, the easier they are to treat.
What are the symptoms of STDs?
Depending on the particular type of STD, your symptoms may vary. Some people may experience no symptoms with an STD. Common symptoms of STDs include:
- Painful sex
- Sores or bumps
- Painful and burning urination
- Unusual discharge from genitals
For some STDs, it could take years before symptoms present themselves. Usually, though, you begin to experience symptoms a few days after the initial transmission. STDs can be caused by:
- Bacteria, such as chlamydia
- Parasites, such as trichomonas
- Viruses, such as HIV/AIDS
You are at a greater risk of contracting an STD if you have unprotected sex of any variety. You are also more likely to get an STD if you:
- Have multiple sexual partners
- Have a history of STDs
- Abuse alcohol or recreational drugs
- Use needles to inject drugs
If you believe you have an STD, you should contact Dr. Rotman immediately.
How are STDs treated?
Dr. Rotman starts by learning about your sexual and medical history. He then talks to you about your symptoms and performs a physical examination. He may order blood, urine, and fluid tests to determine which STD is causing the symptoms.
The easiest STDs to treat are bacterial, as a round of antibiotics can often cure them.
For viral infections, Dr. Rotman may prescribe an antiviral drug. Those can lessen the risk of spreading the disease and can reduce the number of breakouts for patients with infections like herpes. However, viral infections are rarely, if ever, cured.
For the removal of warts or other skin lesions caused by STDs, Dr. Rotman uses CryoProbe®. By freezing the unwanted tissue, CryoProbe destroys the wart and prevents the spread of infection after treatment.
Contact Dr. Rotman today if you believe you might have an STD.
