STDs Caused By Bacteria

Definition Of STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases)

Sexually transmitted diseases are those diseases that are essentially passed on through sexual contact. They could be due to bacteria, viruses, or parasites and generally affect any part of the body, especially the reproductive organs.

Bacterial STDs are a group of infections caused by bacteria, which are acquired through sexual contact. Examples include Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis, Chancroid, and Mycoplasma genitalium infection. These diseases are generally treated with antibiotic medications.

Studies on bacterial STDs are necessary for prevention, early identification or diagnosis, and effective therapy to prevent complications and long-term consequences. Greater awareness can contribute to retard the further spread of these types of infections in the population.

Common Bacterial STDs

The common STDs are listed below-

Gonorrhea

• Causative agent: Neisseria gonorrhoeae

• Symptoms and signs: The illness is characterized by painful urination. Other symptoms include a pus-like discharge from the genitals, pelvic pain, testicular pain in men, and vaginal bleeding between periods in women.

• Transmission routes: The pathogen is transmitted by direct contact with infected genital secretions.

• Diagnosis and treatment: Urine tests or swabs of the urethra in men or cervix in women are collected and sent to the laboratory for analysis.

• It is treated with antibiotics such as ceftriaxone and azithromycin.

Chlamydia

• Causative agent: Chlamydia trachomatis

• Symptoms and signs: Often asymptomatic; when symptoms do occur, these include genital pain and discharge, painful urination, and pelvic pain.

• Transmission routes: Sexual contact.

• Diagnosis and treatment: Urine tests or swabs. Treated with antibiotics, such as azithromycin or doxycycline.

Syphilis

• Causative agent: Treponema pallidum

• Primary stage: Painless sores at the site of infection.

• Secondary stage: Skin rashes, mucous membrane lesions.

• Tertiary: Serious medical complications, such as damage to the heart, brain, and other organs

• Modes of transmission: Direct contact with an infected sexual partner; from mother to child during pregnancy

• Diagnosis and Treatment: The diagnosis is made by blood tests. It is treated with penicillin or other appropriate antibiotics.

Chancroid

• Causal agent: Haemophilus ducreyi

• Symptoms and signs: Painful genital ulcers, and inflamed lymph nodes in the groin.

• Transmission routes: Direct sexual contact.

• Diagnosis and Treatment: The diagnosis by clinical examination and culture of the ulcer. Treated with antibiotics like azithromycin ceftriaxone or ciprofloxacin or erythromycin.

Mycoplasma Genitalium

• Causative agent: Mycoplasma genitalium

• Symptoms and signs: Urethritis, cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, genital discharge

• Transmission routes: Sexual contact

• Diagnosis and treatment: Diagnosed by nucleic acid amplification tests, NAAT. Treated with antibiotics like azithromycin or moxifloxacin.

How Bacterial STDs Affect The Human Body

• Invasion and colonisation of mucous membranes by bacteria.

• Localised infection with inflammation.

• Possible systemic spread to other parts of the body; for example, pelvic inflammatory disease.

• Activation of the immune system results in inflammation.

• Production of antibodies, which fight the infection.

• Chronic effects if left untreated cause chronic pain, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy.

• Serves as an entry point to other sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.

• Serious systemic complications like cardiovascular and neurological disorders.

Diagnosis And Testing Diagnostic

The testing methods are listed below-

Methods Overview Physical examination

• Looking for sores, rashes and discharge.

• Laboratory tests involve blood tests, urine tests, and swabs from the site of infection.

Importance of Early Detection

• Prevents complications and long-term health issues

• Reduces transmission of infection to others

Treatment And Management

The treatments are listed below-

Antibiotic Treatments For Bacterial STDs

• Appropriated antibiotics, depending on the bacteria present

• Adjustment for antibiotic resistance patterns

Symptom Management

• Monitor possible PID or systemic involvement

• Need for the full course of treatment

• Guarantees the removal of bacteria from the body.

• Decreases the possibility of contracting antibiotic-resistant bacterial resistance.

Prevention Methods

• Safe Sex

• Use of condoms to reduce the risk of passing on the infection.

• Get regularly tested to check early and treat if necessary.

Education and Awareness

• Public health campaigns regarding risks, signs, and symptoms, as well as preventive measures.

• Openly discuss sexual health.