Venereal diseases - symptoms, causes and treatment

Venereal diseases - Symptoms and treatment | Recetas Medicas

STDs are a collective name for various infections that you can get during sex. They are also called sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Different infections produce different symptoms, and some produce no symptoms at all. That is why it is important to test yourself regularly. Here we go through the most common venereal diseases in Sweden, what symptoms they can cause, how they are transmitted and how they are treated.

What are venereal diseases?

STDs are infections that are primarily spread through sexual contact. STDs can be caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites. They are often characterized by a range of symptoms, but it is also not uncommon for them to be asymptomatic, that is, you will not experience any symptoms at all. It makes it possible for infections to spread to others without you, the infected person, being aware of your illness.

How are STDs spread?

STDs are spread through various forms of sexual contact. Most commonly, they are transmitted when mucous membranes in the abdomen, rectum or mouth come into contact with each other, for example during:

• Vaginal sex
• Anal sex
• Oral sex

Sometimes blood, semen and vaginal secretions can contain infectious agents that cause venereal diseases. Then you can, for example, become infected if you share sex toys with someone else. Some venereal diseases can also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth.

Common venereal diseases in Sweden

Here are some of the most common venereal diseases in Sweden:

• Chlamydia: Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease in Sweden. A chlamydia infection often causes no symptoms but can lead to serious sequelae if left untreated.
• Gonorrhea: Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae and causes symptoms such as pain when urinating and unusual discharge. Without treatment, gonorrhea can lead to complications such as infertility.
• Syphilis: Caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Symptoms develop in stages, from ulcers to skin rashes and finally serious complications affecting the heart, brain and other organs if left untreated.
• Condylomas (HPV): Condylomas are caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) and lead to genital warts. Some HPV types can also cause cervical cancer.
• Genital herpes: Caused by the herpes simplex virus, it causes painful blisters or sores in the genital region. The viral infection is chronic but the symptoms can be treated.
• HIV/AIDS: HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. Without treatment, HIV can lead to the disease AIDS, where the body's ability to fight infections is greatly reduced.
• Hepatitis B: A viral disease that affects the liver. It is spread sexually but also through blood and from mother to child at birth. There is a vaccine against Hepatitis B.
• Mycoplasma in the genital area: Caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma genitalium. It can cause symptoms similar to chlamydia, such as pain when urinating and unusual discharge, but many people experience no symptoms at all.

Symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases in women and men

The symptoms of STDs can vary depending on the infection involved, but there are some common signs that women and men should be aware of. Common symptoms include unusual discharge from the vagina or penis, itching or irritation in the lower abdomen, pain when urinating or during sexual intercourse, and blisters, rashes or sores on the genitals or around the mouth. Women may also experience abdominal pain, while men may have swelling or pain in the testicles.

Since many sexually transmitted diseases can be symptom-free, both in the early stages and in the long term, it is important to get tested often to increase the chance of early detection and treatment. If you experience any of the symptoms described above, or if you have had unprotected sex with a new partner, you should be tested for the most common diseases.

Testing, diagnosis and treatment

In Sweden, you can be tested for venereal diseases in many places, for example health centres, youth clinics and gynecological clinics. For some venereal diseases there are also home tests. The most common is that you are allowed to provide a urine sample, but for some samples you need to provide blood. Sometimes a doctor or nurse needs to examine your abdomen to make a correct diagnosis, for example if you have a rash. Once diagnosed, there are effective treatments for most STDs. It is important to complete the entire course of treatment and to inform any sexual partners of your diagnosis so that they can also be tested and treated if necessary.

Venereal diseases included in the Infection Protection Act

In Sweden, certain sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B, are notifiable according to the Infection Control Act. This means that by law you must be tested if you know or suspect that you have one of these diseases. It also means that the care provider is obliged to report confirmed cases to the Public Health Authority to prevent further spread. This system helps to monitor and control the incidence of these diseases at the national level. It is always free to test yourself for the diseases included in the Infection Protection Act.

People who are diagnosed with a notifiable sexually transmitted disease also receive information and support for infection tracking, which is an important part of preventing the disease from spreading to others. Infection tracing means that you must tell who you have had sex with, so that healthcare can contact them and inform them that they must also be tested. You who provide the information are always anonymous, unless you yourself choose to tell the person or persons you have had sex with that they will be contacted.

This way you can reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases

To reduce the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, it is important to use a condom, femdom or tampon when you have vaginal, anal or oral sex. Other contraceptives protect against pregnancy but not against sexually transmitted diseases. Also remember to use a condom or femdom if you share sex toys with someone else and to test yourself after having sex with a new partner.