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Signs and
Symptoms
The signs
and symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases vary by the type
of organism and what part of the human body is affected. Many
people can become infected without showing signs or symptoms
of these diseases.
In
general, anyone who has pain upon urinating, notices an unusual
discharge, develops lesions, feels ill, or thinks that they may
have become infected should contact their physician or other
health care provider as soon as possible. Some diseases, if left
untreated, can result in complications including death. Other
infections such as AIDS may not result in signs or symptoms that
are immediately recognized or the person may feel perfectly fine,
but could still spread the disease to others.
How can a person
avoid or prevent STD's?
Abstaining
from sexual contact is the best way to avoid exposure.
For those individuals who do not abstain from sexual activity common
sense measures can help avoid exposure to these types of
diseases. Some prevention recommendations include:
- Use latex
condoms whenever sexually active. Condoms containing spermicides
can help to prevent the spread of STD's, but remember condoms
are not 100 % fool proof. Condoms can leak or break and may
even disintegrate if used with certain chemicals such as petroleum
products.
- Mutually
monogamous relationships [both persons limiting themselves
to one partner] between uninfected individuals is one method
to decrease the likelihood of getting a sexually transmitted
disease.
- Do not
have sexual contact with a person who has a sexually transmitted
disease.
- Do not
have sexual contact with multiple partners or with persons
who have had multiple partners. * Do not have sexual contact
with persons who use intravenous drugs.
- If you
do become infected, do not have sexual contact with other people.
If you do, inform your partner before sexual contact and use
condoms.
- If you
become infected, you should inform your sexual contacts of
your infection in order for them to seek appropriate follow
up.
- If you
think you may have been infected, seek appropriate counseling
and testing as soon as possible. The incubation periods are
different for the various diseases, so you may be advised to
seek further medical follow up.
- Do not
use intravenous drugs. If you do use intravenous drugs
never share needles or syringes or "works." If you share "works," clean,
disinfect [using bleach] and rinse them.
- Do not
share personal items such as tooth brushes, razors, wash cloths
or other items that are likely to become contaminated with
blood or other body fluids.
- Do not
have sexual contact with prostitutes.
- Those who
are sexually active or use intravenous drugs should consider
getting the hepatitis B vaccine.
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top ::
Background
Sexually
transmitted diseases [STD's] have been around since man first
recorded history. Millions of people have become infected and
many have died from STD's or complications of their disease.
In general, most of the sexually transmitted diseases are spread
similarly through sexual contact, either orally, vaginally or
anal. Some of these diseases are also spread through blood [as
occurs with the sharing of contaminated needles and syringes
in the injection of drugs] or possibly through contact with
other body fluids. Preventing the spread of sexually transmitted
diseases
is a local, national and global concern. Some of the more common
STD's are listed below.
Common
STD's* |
Organism |
Incubation
Periods** |
|
AIDS,
HIV |
Human
Immunodeficiency Virus |
Months
to years |
|
CHANCROID |
Haemophilus
ducreyi |
3
to 5 days |
|
CHLAMYDIA
& Nongonococcal
Urethritis or N.G.U. |
Chlamydia
trachomatis |
5 to 10
days or longer |
CRABS [Pubic
Lice] |
Phthirus
pubis |
8 to 10
days |
GENITAL
WARTS |
Human
Papilloma Virus (HPV) |
1 to 20
months or longer |
|
GONORRHEA
& Pelvic
Inflammatory Disease or P.I.D. |
Neisseria
gonorrhorae |
2
to 7 days or longer |
HEPATITIS
B |
Hepatitis
B Virus (HBV) |
45 to
160 days
|
HERPES
SIMPLEX |
Herpes
Simplex Virus |
2
to 12 days |
SYPHILIS |
Treponema
pallidum |
10 days
to 3 months |
TRICHOMONIASIS |
Trichomonas
vaginalis |
4 to
20 days |
*
There are other diseases that are sexually transmitted, but not
listed here. Individuals with these diseases should
seek medical attention for any treatments.
**
Incubation period is the time from exposure to the organism until
symptoms begin. :: back to the top ::
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Disease Control Division
Ph: 734-727-7077
Ph: 734-727-7078
Ph: 734-727-7079
Health Administration Building
33030 Van Born
Wayne, MI 48184
Ph: 734-727-7000
In case of a public health emergency
during non-business hours, weekends and on holidays,
call
Ph: 734-727-7284
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