Venereal Diseases

AIDS / HIV

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is caused by the human immune-deficiency virus, also known as HIV.

HIV virus attacks the body's immune system. This virus invades the white blood cells, multiplies inside and destroys them. After three to four years of infection with HIV, the symptoms associated with AIDS are seen.

With AIDS, body's natural defense mechanism is compromised and the patient is likely to contract opportunistic infections like fungal infections, TB, herpes etc. i.e. diseases that a normal healthy body can resist. Rare forms of cancers and pneumonia may develop. Sometimes AIDS patients are attacked by several infections at once. The brain may develop severe dementia. As yet there is no cure for AIDS. With early detection & treatment (Highly active anti retroviral therapy-HAART) progress of disease can be slowed and prompt treatment of opportunistic infections, patients can live a near normal life.

High-risk behavior includes unprotected sex with strangers, sex with many partners, unprotected oral/anal sex and any other activity involving exchange of body fluids. A newborn child can get it from his infected mother during birth.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a bacterial infection which spreads through sexual contact or kissing. Initial symptom is a firm nodule at penis followed by ulcer formation. It passes through following stages: Latent syphilis, Primary syphilis, Secondary Syphilis, Tertiary syphilis with increasing severity.

A newborn can develop congenital syphilis during birth if mother is infected.

Herpes (Genital herpes)

Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease. Symptoms are tingling and itching at the site of infection & painful ulcers appear on genitals. This disease has this annoying habit of recurring again and again.

Genital Warts

Warts are due to Papilloma viral infection acquired during sexual contact. The warts look like raised or flat bumps and are located along the penis or anal region.

Candidal Balanitis

is a fungal infection that may also spread through sexual intercourse.

Gonorrhea

It is caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoea. Symptoms include pus discharge from urethra, burning & pain during urination. It spreads through sexual contact.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection. Symptoms include urethral discharge, a burning sensation during urination and, occasionally, swelling of the testicles.

Trichomoniasis

Is a common STD having symptoms similar to other kind of urethritis. It is caused by parasite Trichomonas.

Non-gonococcal Urethritis

It can also spread through sex. There is discharge from the vagina or penis.