Sexually Transmitted Diseases Research Paper

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are the most common diseases known to man and one of the largest growing problems not only in the United States but all over the world. Sexually Transmitted diseases are usually, but not always, passed from person to person by sexual contact, whether it is oral, vaginal, or anal sex. It can also be transmitted by sharing needles, tiny cuts, sores, skin to skin contact or even by wearing the clothes or lying in the bedding of a person that might have it. There are three different types of STDs, viral or viruses which are non-living and need a host to survive, this group includes herpes. Another type of STD is bacterial or bacteria which is a living single celled organism, which includes syphilis. The last type of STD is eukaryotic also known as parasitic which grow and feed on the host and this group includes pubic lice. Although STDs are severely common most people are not educated on what they are, how the can be contracted, or even how to treat them.

One of the most common viral STDs is Herpes. The Herpes virus, once exposed it finds its way into the nervous system, hides in the spine and then begins to duplicate in the nerve cells where it was first exposed. In a matter of weeks little sores begin to appear in or near the genital area, upper thighs, and buttocks area. The sores turn into scabs and then heal. The sores can be painful and itchy and can get worse if they come into contact with tight clothing or urine (Levine, 2005). Most people do not really think about this but it is contagious, with or without the sores there is always a chance to catch this disease. Sometimes there are no notable symptoms, which leads the person infect to believe that they do not have herpes. If the symptoms are present a woman symptoms may include unusual vaginal discharge or flow, sores, bumps, burning when urinating, pain during intercourse, and redness or itching around the vaginal area. Symptoms for men include discharge from the penis,

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