STD? Me? Never ever!

Don’t be so sure of not being affected. Sexually transmitted diseases do not only affect people who have constantly changing sexual partners. People can also become infected with STDs through no fault of their own, for example when visiting a sauna or through close skin contact with an infected person. Even today, people are judged for being infected with STDs – although STD infections are incredibly common. STDs can affect anyone, just like a simple cold!

What do you know about STDs?

STDs are infections that are transmitted during vaginal, anal, and oral sex. They are very common and many people who have them don’t show any symptoms.

Common STD symptoms are: itching, discharge, painful intercourse.

HIV is a well-known STD. The number of infections is constantly decreasing. However, there are other STDs out there that you should be aware of. The 10 most common STDs are:

1. Chlamydia: 

Chlamydia is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States, with about 4 million new cases diagnosed every year. Untreated chlamydia infections can lead to infertility.

2. Gonorrhea: 

Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It can cause infections in the genitals, rectum, and throat. There is a high prevalence of co-infection with chlamydia and an increased susceptibility to HIV.

3. Trichomoniasis: 

Trichomoniasis is caused by infection with the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Women who are infected are more likely to develop symptoms than men. Symptoms include genital redness, burning and itching. Untreated trichomoniasis can increase the risk of HIV infection.

4. HIV: 

HIV weakens the immune system by destroying important cells that fight disease and infection. There are varying symptoms of HIV depending upon the stage of disease. After initial flu-like symptoms, there is often a silent period of infection before it progresses to AIDS.

5. Syphilis: 

Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. If not treated, syphilis may progress to the symptom-less latent phase and may damage heart, brain and nervous system. Damage caused by late-stage syphilis infection is often irreversible.

6. Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2: 

Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2) is responsible for genital herpes. Infection with HSV-2 is lifelong and the sores may recur periodically during times of emotional stress or illness. Although there is no cure for genital herpes, severe episodes can be prevented with treatment.

7. Hepatitis C: 

Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). HCV is more commonly transmitted through needles or blood exposure and only rarely spread through sexual intercourse. For 80% of people who become infected, Hepatitis C becomes a long-term, chronic infection that can result in long-term health problems, even death..

8. HPV: 

HPV is caused by human papillomavirus, a DNA virus from the papillomavirus family. It is the most commonly diagnosed STD worldwide. It is transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact and can be passed even when an infected person has no signs or symptoms. In most cases HPV goes away on its own and does not cause major health problems. 

9. Mycoplasma: 

Mycoplasma hominis is the most frequently isolated Mycoplasma species from the human genital tract. Genital infections in women are more frequent than in men. 

10. Ureaplasma:

Ureaplasma urealyticum is a bacterium that infects the urogenital tract. If symptoms occur, they are easily mistaken for chlamydia and gonorrhea. 

Verisana STD Tests

With our STD tests you have the opportunity to test yourself discreetly and comfortably with our home-to-lab STD tests for the most common STDs.

In addition to our single tests (HIV test, Syphilis test and Hepatitis C test), we also offer STD panels for several common STDs. 

We take customer privacy very seriously. Only you will have access to your results, and we will not share your results with any third party. All samples are disposed of following analysis.

If I test positive for an STD, what should I do?

First of all you should know that with proper care and management of the infection, you can still enjoy a long and sexual life. 

For bacterial STDs (e.g. Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis) you will want to begin a doctor-prescribed treatment immediately. For viral STDs (e.g. HIV) you will want to figure out with your doctor how to best manage the infection along with its associated symptoms.