Anyone with a passing knowledge of STDs will be aware of some of the more common infections – gonorrhoea, chlamydia, genital herpes, HIV/AIDS, Syphilis and so on. If you go for an STD test, these are amongst the most likely diseases that could be found, but they are by no means the only ones – there are many rare infections that may not occur as often, but can be just as dangerous. Some of them were once common, but have been driven back by improvements in medical knowledge, whereas others used to be rare, but are becoming increasingly common for one reason or another.
Sexually transmitted infections are mostly transmitted through the mucous membranes of the vulva, urinary tract, penis, rectum, and sometimes through the mouth, throat, and the respiratory tract. Not all of these infections are curable.
When it comes to the infections that are not curable, the treatment involves managing the symptoms. The best way to prevent these infections is practising safe sex.
It's good to be informed, so one becomes cautious because the little things that are ignored can cause a major problem. In an era where viruses and bacterias are propagating in new forms, it's better to be careful than regret it.
So just in case you've never heard of it, here are 7 sexually transmitted diseases you probably do not know exist.
1. Crabs (Parasite Infection)
This infection is caused due to blood sucking lice that infest the hair in the pubic region, as the moistness in this area helps them to thrive and multiply. The pubic lice feed on a person's blood and cause a lot of itching and discomfort, especially in the night. It can be transmitted sexually if you have sex with an infected person. Good personal hygiene can relieve you from this kind of disease. Shaving or properly cleaning your pubic hair with antiseptics can get rid of the lice.
2. Chancroid (Bacteria Infection)
Chancroid is a common STD that is often confused with syphilis. The symptoms of chancroid include the occurrence of small painful sores in the genital areas. It has been observed that women infected with chancroid have multiple lesions, as compared to a single lesion in men. Chancroid is painful but not serious, and can be cured with a simple course of antibiotics. An STD test is not usually necessary, as a doctor will be able to recognize the distinct sight of the sores.
3. Granuloma Inguinale Or Donovanosis
Donovanosis is caused by the bacteria known as Klebsiellagranulomatis. Although a rare disease, it is commonly found in the tropical and subtropical parts of the world such as Guyana, Southeast India, New Guinea, Central Australia, etc. It is characterized by wounds on the genitals, or the anal area. These appear as raised nodules at the beginning and then develop into big, beefy-red ulcers. Men are at a higher risk of acquiring this disease than women. It usually affects people in the age group of 20 to 40 years. The disease usually spreads due to vaginal or anal intercourse and very rarely due to oral sex. During the initial stages, it is difficult to differentiate between donovanosis and chancroid.
Sometimes mistaken for syphilis or chancroid, granuloma inguinale causes small painless ulcers and warts on the affected areas. These burst, spread and continue to grow as the disease progresses, making it a dangerous infection if it is left untreated. However, just like many of these rare STDs it can be treated with antibiotics, so there is a very low risk of infection in developed countries.
4. Molluscum Contagiosum
The name sounds intimidating, but if this crops up on an STD test, it's nothing to worry about! Manifesting as a series of bumps, rashes and lesions, molluscum contagiosum is spread by sexual or skin to skin contact. It's a trifle unsightly but fairly harmless, and most doctors will let it go away on its own, which usually takes 3 to 6 months.
5. Lymphogranuloma Venereum (Bacteria Infection)
Lymphogranuloma venereum (generally shortened to LGV) was rare until recent years, but it is now becoming more common in developed nations. A variant of the chlamydia virus, it causes swelling and enlargement of various glands in the body, sometimes to a dangerous degree. This STD is highly variable in effect – it is usually just painful and uncomfortable, but in rare cases it can be fatal. The disease can usually be easily treated if it is caught early.
The person suffering from LGV may experience painful bowel movements, blood in stools, small and painless lesions on the male genitals or female genital tract, lower abdominal pain, diarrhea, swollen lymph nodes in the groin area and around the rectum (in case of anal intercourse).
6. Nongonococcal urethritis (Bacteria Infection)
Nongonococcal urethritis refers to the inflammation of the urethra by pathogens other than the causal pathogen of gonorrhea. However, it is often caused by chlamydia and is commonly seen in males because of anatomical differences. It is rarely caused due to other sexually transmitted infections such as herpes, trichomoniasis, ureaplasma, or mycoplasma. It is mostly asymptomatic, but sometimes symptoms may develop within 1 to 5 weeks of infection. The symptoms include, a clear to white discharge from the penis, burning sensation while urinating, and irritation at the opening of the penis.
7. Trichomoniasis (Bacteria Infection)
This condition is more common in women. Some people infected with trichomoniasis do not develop any symptoms, whereas others show certain symptoms in the form of mild irritation to severe inflammation. People who develop symptoms, start experiencing them between 5 to 28 days after getting the infection, but others do not experience any symptoms until a very long time. If left untreated, trichomoniasis may increase the risk of contracting HIV.
