Gonorrhea and the Discovery of Super Gonorrhea Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can affect both males and females. It often results in infections of the genitals, rectum, and throat, and most commonly afflicts within sexually active people between the ages of 15 to 24. Gonorrhea is transmitted through vaginal, anal, and oral sex,…
Tag: Sexually Transmitted Disease
Vaginitis
Vaginitis is the broad term for inflammation or infection of the vagina. There are many types of vaginitis; each of which is characterized by different causes and symptoms.1 Symptoms of vaginitis include vaginal itching and irritation, painful urination, pain during intercourse, light vaginal bleeding or spotting, and vaginal discharge that has a foul smell or…
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea, sometimes called “the clap”, is a sexually transmitted infection that can be spread to both males and females. It is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, also called gonococcus.1 Gonorrhea is a very common infection in the United States and worldwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates, that…
Hepatitis A B C D and E
Hepatitis is categorized into five distinct types: hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. These variations of hepatitis are all viral infections that mainly affect the liver causing various symptoms from fever to liver cancer. Hepatitis A Distribution Countries that have poor hygiene and poor sanitary conditions have the highest instances of infection with 90…
Psychological Issues Related to Herpes
Learning that one is diagnosed with Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), either oral or genital, can be a very emotional experience. A person may experience a variety of emotions, ranging from disbelief to anger, due to the stereotypes that surround sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the incurable nature of this specific disease.1 Genital herpes is a common…
Oral Sex and STIs
Oral sex is a sexual activity that uses the mouth, lips, or tongue as a way to stimulate a partner.1 There are many reasons why individuals enjoy oral sex, and it is a much more common sexual activity than people are led to believe. In fact, a statistic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that more…
Pubic Lice
Trigger warning: This article includes graphic and highly detailed photos of pubic lice infestations that some people may find upsetting. If you wish to proceed, do so with caution of the explicit imagery. Pubic lice, often referred to as “crabs” due to their claw-like front legs, are small parasitic insects.3 Also known as “Phthirus pubis”…
Bacterial Infections
Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that thrive in many different types of environments.1 They are found in every habitat on Earth including soil, rock, water, artic snow, and even the human body.2 In fact, there are approximately ten times as many bacterial cells as human cells in the human body.3 Most types of bacteria are harmless…
How to Ask Your Partner to Get Tested
Asking a partner to be tested for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) can be a difficult conversation to have. It is a sensitive subject for most and may result in hurt feelings or other emotions. Some may take the request the wrong way and assume their partner believes they are dirty or sleep around. However, if a…