STDs: Basic Info

STDs: Basic Info

The sexually transmitted diseases (STDs for short) include, in addition to the classic sexually transmitted diseases, all those diseases that are mainly transmitted through sexual intercourse. In our latitudes, the causes are mainly bacteria, viruses, fungi and unicellular organisms (protozoa). Venereal diseases affect women and men from all social classes. The peak frequency of sexually transmitted diseases is among 20 to 30 year olds, as young people often experience greater mobility and freer sexuality. Consistent use of condoms offers the safest protection against STDs, but this protection is not 100 percent either…

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• The "classic" sexually transmitted diseases
• The "modern" STDs
• Symptoms & consequential damage
• Whom can I ask?
• How are the costs going to be covered?

The "classic" sexually transmitted diseases

The "classic" sexually transmitted diseases include gonorrhea (gonorrhea), syphilis (syphilis, hard chancre), ulcus molle (soft chancre) and lymphogranuloma venereum. Together they only make up about ten percent of all STD cases today. Until a few years ago, they were only of secondary importance. However, there has been an increase in the number of cases of illness recently. An increase in the number of infections is being recorded both internationally and in Europe.

Regardless, many believe that the "classic sexually transmitted diseases" have practically disappeared. Many people therefore think they are safe and refrain from using condoms and thus the safest (if not 100 percent) protection against infection.

The "modern" STDs

Currently, infections with chlamydia and trichomoniasis (trichomoniasis) as well as genital herpes, genital warts and HIV / AIDS are the most common sexually transmitted diseases. But other diseases, such as hepatitis B and candida infection (candidiasis), can also be transmitted through sexual intercourse. However, these are not exclusively sexually transmitted diseases, as other routes of infection can also lead to an infection.

For detailed information on HIV / AIDS and hepatitis B, please visit the following links:

• HIV & AIDS
• Hepatitis B.

Symptoms & consequential damage

The most common symptoms of STDs are: discharge, genital ulcers (ulcerations), inflammatory swelling of the lymph nodes in the groin area, swelling of the scrotum and pain in the lower abdomen. However, STDs often do not cause any symptoms and therefore go unnoticed and untreated for a long time. Some STDs can lead to severe sequelae such as infertility (e.g. in chlamydia, gonorrhea) or carcinomas (e.g. human papilloma virus). Infected pregnant women can lead to intrauterine death of the fetus or to congenital syphilis in the child.

Whom can I ask?

If you have complaints or you suspect infection, you can contact the following offices for diagnosis and therapy:

• Specialists in dermatology and venereology,
• Specialists in urology and andrology,
• Specialists in gynecology and obstetrics.

How are the costs going to be covered?

The costs for the necessary diagnostic procedures and therapies are covered by the social security agencies. You can find out more about the respective provisions from your health insurance provider, which you can find on the social security website.